HFTW Scholarship Helps Milspouses Earn Degrees
By Kristy Schwartz for Hope For The Warriors
In 2016, I had the opportunity to interview one of Hope For The Warriors’ very first Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship recipients, a Gold Star spouse who we assisted in her journey of achieving her doctorate in audiology. She shared the first line of her application essay:
“A regular day that began as seemingly innocuous was the day that all of my life’s goals went out the window. It was the day that my husband died.”
Those words have stuck with me, not only as a staff member of Hope For The Warriors, but also as a military spouse. It instilled the harsh reality knowing that with our spouse’s military careers, that tomorrow is never certain. However, it also solidified my belief that investing in yourself by pursuing higher education is one of the most important things a military spouse can do.
Since 2006, Hope For The Warriors’ Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship program has assisted more than 140 military spouses, caregivers, and Gold Star spouses with their desire to pursue higher education after the unthinkable happens. The scholarship program provides support after a spouse is wounded, injured, or killed in combat while serving since Sept. 11, 2001.
Like any scholarship program, the goal is to help alleviate the financial stress of higher education. At Hope For The Warriors, we recognize that many need to attain degrees or advanced degrees to take over as the primary financial provider for their family. Hope For The Warriors’ well-being model helps applicants beyond scholarship opportunities by connecting them to employment support and professional development opportunities through Warrior’s Compass job search platform and clinical health and wellness services to support the applicant’s well-being while they balance being a student, employee, volunteer, spouse, parent, and/or caregiver.
Two-time Restoring Hope scholarship recipient, Army spouse, and caregiver Shaina Purser, shares how Hope For The Warriors made a difference in her family’s life as she pursues a Master of Social Work:
“The financial assistance provided by Hope For The Warriors has substantially decreased stress in trying to fund my education, which could have been a significant impediment in my academic success. It is hard to say whether or not I would have been in a place to continue my education if it weren’t for the support of the organization and its members. The personalities behind the scenes have also had a tremendous impact on my success. I can’t emphasize enough how much the HOPE team has influenced me and my continued success within the program. Knowing that I have others who believe in me has given me hope and strength, even when times are rough. I have been overwhelmed with the level of support and care that has been provided by the members of HOPE.”
The Fall 2020 Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship application period is currently open. Applications can be completed online and will close May 31. Academic awards range from $1,500-2,500 and support a wide range of degrees, from certificates and associates to masters and doctorates.
Personally, as the program manager, what I love most about this program is getting to know the applicants and learning their unique needs and goals. The military spouses, caregivers, and Gold Star spouses who apply are so dynamic and truly inspirational.
More than 50% of our applicants are pursuing their masters and/or doctorate degrees, and many indicate they want to work in a career field where they can serve and advocate for others, specifically veterans and military families. These women and men define post-traumatic growth and are a source of hope for those who feel their goals went out the window.
To receive an application for the Fall 2020 academic semester and to learn more about Hope For The Warriors’ Military Spouse and Scholarship program, apply for services at hopeforthewarriors.org.
About Kristy:
Since 2015, Kristy Schwartz has served as both the Social Media Coordinator and Military Spouse and Caregiver Scholarship Program Coordinator for Hope For The Warriors. Originally from Pittsburgh, Kristy received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and continued her education at Rutgers University in Social Media Marketing. Being a military spouse, Kristy feels very fortunate to advocate for higher education and employment for military families. After a recent PCS from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, she currently resides in Beaufort, South Carolina, with her husband and 3-year-old son.
