For those heading to college in the fall, this is the time to begin filling out those scholarship applications. The Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship Fund is now accepting applications until March 25. This scholarship is specifically available to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. The scholarship application is open to family members of active-duty servicemembers, retirees and surviving family members. Awarded scholarships are not based on income or rank. During the application process, applicants actually remain anonymous until the process is complete.   

The Fort Lewis Family Scholarship fund has had the privilege of providing over $600,000 in scholarships over the past 25 years. Last year alone, they awarded over $25,000 in scholarships to those looking to further their education. The scholarship funds are received through various charitable donations from within the community.

To be eligible to apply for the Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria: possess a valid military ID card; have an immediate family member of active-duty assigned to JBLM; and must live within a 50-mile radius of JBLM. Applicants are also considered if you are a surviving member of a soldier who was last assigned to JBLM or are a family member of a retired soldier also residing within a 50-mile radius of JBLM.

Applications will not be accepted from active-duty personnel, a person who is the recipient of a full scholarship, a prior recipient of the Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship, if you currently have a bachelor's or master's degree, or if you are applying to attend graduate school.

The Fort Lewis Family Member Scholarship application is available online to download at: www.fortlewisscholarship.com. Deadline to receive completed scholarship applications is Friday, March 25, 2016. If you have questions, please email: ftlewisfamilyscholarship@hotmail.com.