CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa, Japan -- The Marine Officers' Spouses' Club awarded four Marine spouses with scholarships during a ceremony at the Marine Gift Shop on Camp Foster Dec. 12.
The MOSC awards scholarships biannually to academically distinguished family members of active-duty Marines stationed on Okinawa and retired Marines living on Okinawa. The scholarships are awarded to spouses each winter and children each spring.
"It is great that the MOSC offers these scholarships because sometimes it is a challenge to align a career with having a Marine spouse," said Alexis C. Archer, a Marine wife and student at Michigan State University, who is pursuing a Master of Science degree in law enforcement and intelligence analysis. "The scholarship program enables us to do that."
The scholarships, worth a combined total of $6,250, will be used to help the recipients pursue opportunities at all levels of higher education, including distance education such as online degree programs.
"Education can be very expensive and out of reach for some dependents, so these scholarships can help," said Sara Dowse, scholarship chairwoman of the MOSC.
The scholarships are merit-based and awarded following the review of an applicant's submission by a MOSC committee based on a predetermined scoring system, according to Dowse.
The spouses' club manages the annual scholarship program as well as participating in other community service and volunteer programs throughout the island.
"The purpose of the MOSC is to provide charitable donations to Japanese and Americans on Okinawa," said Kate Johnson, MOSC president. "We give back through scholarships and through the American Women's Welfare Association."
The AWWA consists of different military spouse organizations on Okinawa associated with all branches of service, according to Johnson. The association works together to provide donations to causes such as youth organizations, youth sports leagues and the USO. Donations are divided equally between Japanese and American organizations.
Funding for the MOSC is based on profits from the Marine Gift Shop, and a biannual auction that primarily features Asian furniture, collectibles and antiques.
The support of the MOSC helps ensure Marines and their families receive the help they need to meet their academic goals.
"It is more important than ever that we offer family members these type of opportunities now that we are so far away from America," said Johnson. "They don't always get the same looks they would get in the states as far as scholarship opportunities . so we give them a chance."
For more information about applying for a MOSC scholarship, visit the MOSC website at MOSCOkinawa1.org.