Operation: Back of the Net is an annual program that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) runs with its partners -- Major League Soccer (MLS) and the United Services Organization (USO). SNHU is the official education partner of MLS and the worldwide education partner of the USO.

For the third year running, the game plan to raise funds is for SNHU to donate $3,000 to the USO for every goal scored by MLS clubs from June 30 to July 4. In addition, there will be content shared on social/digital channels using the hashtag #SNHUGoals followers can retweet which will then activate an additional $1 donation.

Some of the money raised is earmarked to fund Operation: Back of the Net Scholarship, a full tuition scholarship to be awarded by SNHU through the USO to a deserving servicemember, veteran or military spouse.

"Education opens the door," said Tim Bogle, director of development & marketing for USO Northwest, during a telephone conversation. "This is about the future. It looks to helps to a military member to make a career change through education."

The scholarship is designed to assist someone looking to complete their education but does not have the financial resources to do so.

"It is for the full tuition cost of an online degree program at SNHU," wrote Steve Theil, SNHU's director of strategic partnerships, in an email. 

Tuition costs can be found on SNHU's website (www.snhu.edu).

Those eligible to apply are active duty servicemembers, reservists, members of the National Guard and veterans who served honorably, or a spouse of any of these categories. 

The scholarship is applicable for SNHU's online or certificate programs. These programs can be at the associate's, bachelor's or master's degree level.  

To apply, email your full name, email address, telephone number, the degree program of interest, and a letter of at least 500 words on why the education derived from the scholarship would help achieve that goal to s.theil@snhu.edu. The deadline for application is Monday, June 18.

SNHU will select the winner and then notify USO Northwest, which in turn will invite the awardee to an award presentation which could be at Seattle's Century Link Field June 30 when the Sounders host rival Portland Timbers. 

"This is a life changing opportunity," continued Bogle. "Nothing could be more satisfying for someone to use the scholarship to earn a degree to continue to move forward."