Maryland Higher Education Commission

 

July 2008 Press Release

 

July 15 is the Conroy Scholarship deadline for sons, daughters of fallen soldiers and public safety officials

Disabled veterans and spouses can also qualify under MHEC financial aid program

(Annapolis, MD) July 1, 2008 – The deadline for the Edward T. Conroy Memorial Scholarship is July 15, 2008. This scholarship, administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission, is available to the sons and daughters of members of the United States armed forces who died as a result of military service or who suffered a service-connected disability of 25 percent or greater as a result of military service and to POW/MIAs of the Vietnam War and their sons and daughters.

Those also eligible for the scholarship include sons and daughters and serving spouses (who have not remarried) of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, sons, daughters and surviving spouses (who have not remarried) of State or local public safety employees or volunteers who died in the line of duty or who sustained an injury in the line of duty that rendered the public safety employee or volunteer 100 percent disabled, and State or local public safety employees or volunteers who became 100 percent disabled in the line of duty.

The late Maryland State Senator Edward T. Conroy was a dedicated Korean War veteran who spent 20 years in Prince George’s County politics. During his career in public service, Senator Conroy was devoted to veterans’ issues. He served as both a state and national commander of the Disabled American Veterans and introduced numerous bills supporting veterans during his career in the General Assembly.

“I am pleased MHEC has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of fallen soldiers’ loved ones through this scholarship,” Higher Education Secretary James E. Lyons, Sr., said. “It is devastating to lose a father or mother who gave the greatest sacrifice either through death or disability. The O’Malley-Brown administration has achieved an outstanding record of supporting our veterans and public safety workers during their 16 months in office, and I am sure they share my sentiments regarding the importance of the Senator Edward T. Conroy Scholarship.”

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must enroll for at least six credits each semester in a degree-seeking undergraduate or undergraduate program at a college or university, or a private career school in Maryland. More detailed program information and an application are available on the MHEC website, www.MDgo4it.org. Complete applications must be received at MHEC by July 15, 2008. Interested applicants can also contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at (410) 260-4565 or (800) 974-1024.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission is a 12-member coordinating board responsible for establishing statewide policies for Maryland public and independent colleges and universities and private career schools. It distributes nearly $110 million in scholarships and grants to more than 58,000 students per year.