This year’s scholarships awarded by the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF) set a pair of records.
The national nonprofit in existence for more than six decades announced that $12.635 million in post-secondary educational scholarships were awarded to 2,906 students nationwide for the 2026-27 academic year—representing both the largest scholarship investment and number of recipients in the foundation’s 64-year history. Scholarships were awarded to the children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen.
The scholarships’ announcement was formally made June 20 by MCSF President and CEO Ted Probert during the foundation’s Washington, D.C. Gala. Attendees included scholarship recipients, families, military leaders and supporters.
“We’re honored to support this year’s class of scholarship recipients,” Probert said in a statement shared with Military.com. “Inspired by the values of honor, courage, and commitment, these students represent significant potential.
“Investing in their education is both a responsibility and a privilege. Our work is not finished until more eligible children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen can pursue the opportunities they deserve.”
The Department of Defense, when celebrating “Month of the Military Child” this past April, said there are currently more than 1.6 million military children of U.S. active-duty and reserve military service members.
How Scholarship Recipients Were Selected
The MCSF described this year’s awards as representing continued growth—both in the number of students supported, plus the total dollars awarded.
In turn, that should enable more children of Marines and Navy Corpsmen to pursue higher education, career training, and workforce development opportunities.
The 2,906 students who received scholarships had to maintain a 91% graduation rate, well above the national average of 54%.
MCSF said that 100% of students who met MCSF’s eligibility requirements received scholarship support, providing assistance in areas including higher education, reducing financial barriers, and preparing for future careers.
This year’s scholars included 48% of whom are first-generation college students. The scholarships will also help the children of corpsmen financially down the line, with foundation officials saying that about 63% of recipients typically graduate with little to no debt—much higher in comparison to the national average of 32%.
The foundation’s board of directors includes 10 retired service members, nine of whom formerly served in the Marine Corps.
The scholarships will ultimately aid children attending post-high school, undergraduate, and career and technical education programs in all 50 states, in addition to 18 overseas bases and U.S. territories. The MCSF is the nation’s oldest and largest provider of need-based scholarships for military children.
MCSF has awarded nearly 60,000 scholarships valued at more than $235 million since its 1962 inception.
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