For Immediate Release

Contact: Carrie Blewitt, Qorvis Communications, 703-744-7816

Horatio Alger Association Opens Enrollment for Matchless Military Scholarship Program for Veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq

Association Offers Returning Veterans Opportunities for Better Life

Scholarship Donations Total More Than $15 Million

(July 2, 2007 – Washington, DC) -- The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished
Americans, Inc. is pleased to announce the opening of the enrollment period for its college scholarship program exclusively for veterans who have served honorably in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

The Horatio Alger Military Veterans Scholarship program offers returning veterans a chance to obtain a higher education and consequently broader and richer life opportunities. 

The enrollment period to apply for a Horatio Alger scholarship runs through September 28, 2007.  Applications can be found at https://www.horatioalger.org/scholarships_military/.

The Scholarship fund now totals more than $15 million after a subsequent donation of $5 million this year thanks to Horatio Alger Association Member Ambassador George Argyros and his wife Julia.  The pair was inspired to create the program as a means to demonstrate appreciation and offer educational opportunities that may result in an easier transition to civilian life.

Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, Ambassador and Mrs. Argyros were on a visit to the Rota Naval Air Station in Spain.  They met with wounded soldiers who shared their combat experiences, their unyielding patriotism, and an eagerness to return to their unit, in spite of traumatic and serious injuries.  After these moving experiences, they wanted to do something that would benefit the lives of these soldiers. The program officially began in June 2005 with a donation of $10 million from the Argyros'.

"We strongly believe that our returning veterans who have fought for our national security should receive something in return, and I am so pleased that we are able to continue to offer the scholarship," said Dennis R. Washington, Chairman of the Horatio Alger Association.  Scholarship recipients will each be awarded $5,000 to support their undergraduate education.  Eligible applicants to the Horatio Alger Military Veterans Scholarship must demonstrate the following:

1. Service under the United States Military in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan or Operation Iraqi Freedom beginning September 11, 2001 or later;
2. Honorable service record under the United States Military;
3. Critical financial need;
4. Intention to pursue a bachelor's degree (BA or BS) at an accredited college or university in the United States (awardees may begin their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution);
5. No more than 60 cumulative semester/credit hours by the end of the 2007 term;
6. Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0;
7. Integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity;
8. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

To date, the Horatio Alger Association has awarded 1,460 Military Veterans Scholarships in each branch of the military:

Air Force:                     58
Army:                          687
Marines:                      408
National Guard:           205
Navy:                          102

Twenty recipients of the Horatio Alger Military Veterans Scholarship have shared their personal stories of overcoming adversity; how their time spent in defense of America has changed them; how they are starting their lives over with the help of a Horatio Alger Scholarship and their hopes for future careers and endeavors.  Those stories will be presented in a compilation by the Association complete with photos, a list of Scholarship recipients and the Scholarship sponsors.

About The Horatio Alger Association

Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans continues to fulfill its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. Among the Association's 600 members are well-known Americans including the noted poet Maya Angelou, author and broadcaster Lou Dobbs, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and television personality Oprah Winfrey.

The Horatio Alger Association offers three annual scholarship programs: the National Scholarship Program and various state scholarship programs for high school seniors and the Horatio Alger Military Veterans Scholarship Program for U.S. veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts. Award winners receive financial aid counseling and internship placement assistance. For more information about the scholarships, please call (703) 684-9444 or visit www.horatioalger.org

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