Category 1 Unlock Your Future: High School Scholarship Eligibility

Ready to take the next giant leap into your academic journey? If you're a high school senior with dreams as high as the sky, we've got something just for you! Our scholarship program is tailored to support the bright minds and brave hearts connected to the valorous service of the Armed Forces. Here's what you need to be eligible:

The applicant must meet all the following criteria:

1. Be a graduating high school senior attending a high school within a 50-mile radius of JB MDL (with at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale)

2. Be a legal dependent of an Armed Forces member who is:

   • Active Duty and assigned to a Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL) unit and resides within a 50-mile radius of JB MDL at time application is submitted, OR 

   • A Reserve member and assigned to a JB MDL unit and resides within a 50-mile radius of JB MDL at time application is submitted, OR

   • a National Guard member and assigned to a JB MDL unit and resides within a 50-mile radius of JB MDL at time application is submitted, OR

   • a retired* military member residing within a 50-mile radius of JB MDL, OR

   • a deceased military member residing within a 50-mile radius of JB MDL. 

3. Possess a current valid military Identification Card

4. Plan to attend an accredited vocational-technical school, trade school, two-year college, four-year college, or university during the 2026-2027 academic year. 

5. Satisfy all limitations, conditions, and restrictions set forth in the "Limitations and Conditions" section of this notification.

Think you've got what it takes? We believe in you! Your journey starts here, and we can't wait to see where it leads. Go ahead, apply and show the world the power of your potential.

Category 2 & 3 Eligibility for Continuing Education Program (Spouse & Dependents)

For those connected to the Armed Forces seeking to further their education, we've outlined the eligibility criteria for the Continuing Education program. Whether you're a spouse or a dependent, here's what you need to know:

The applicant must meet all the following criteria:

1. Be a legal dependent of an Armed Forces member who is:

   • Active Duty and assigned to a Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst (JB MDL) unit and resides within a 50-mile radius of JB MDL at time application is submitted, OR 

   • A Reserve member and assigned to a JB MDL unit and resides within a 50-mile radius of JB MDL at time application is submitted, OR

   • a National Guard member and assigned to a JB MDL unit and resides within a 50-mile radius of JB MDL at time application is submitted, OR

   • a retired* military member residing within a 50-mile radius of JB MDL, OR

   • a deceased military member residing within a 50-mile radius of JB MDL. 

2. Possess a current valid military Identification Card

3. Plan to attend an accredited vocational-technical school, trade school, two-year college, four-year college, or university during the 2026-2027 academic year.  Individuals currently enrolled in a program must possess at least a 2.5 cumulative college grade point average on a 4.0 scale. 

4. Satisfy all limitations, conditions, and restrictions set forth in the "Limitations and Conditions" section of this notification.

Embarking on your educational journey is an exciting step, and we're here to support you every step of the way. Check your eligibility, gather your documents, and take the leap towards continuing education!

Limitations & Conditions Restrictions - Applies to ALL Categories

1. The Spouses of JBMDL Organization Thrift Store Inc. reserves the right to determine eligibility, to increase, to decrease, or to withdraw any or all awards.

2. Applicants who accept a full four-year tuition/room & board scholarship, a full four-year grant, or an appointment to a military academy will not be eligible to receive any Spouses of JBMDL Organization scholarship monies.  Additionally, any student who receives from a family member a Post 9-11 GI Bill disbursement that covers the entire cost of the yearly tuition/room & board, will not be eligible to receive Spouses of JBMDL Organization scholarship monies.  

3. Recipients must be enrolled in their accredited vocational-technical school, trade school, two-year college, four-year college, or university during the 2026-2027 academic year.

4. The number of scholarships awarded, and dollar amount of each scholarship are determined by the success of fundraising endeavors of the Spouses of JBMDL Organization Thrift Store Inc. for the year.

5. Scholarship payouts will be given directly to the recipient at the annual award ceremony.  The Scholarship Chair should be informed of the address to send the monies in the event the recipient cannot attend the awards ceremony.

6. Scholarships presented at the annual Spouses of JBMDL Organization Thrift Store Inc. awards function must be cashed within 60 days of receiving. 

7. Recipients from this category may apply and receive a scholarship two consecutive years in a row only. Dependent children may apply once as a high school senior and then once as a dependent child undergraduate continuing education. 

8. Recipients must remain in good community standing or are subject to scholarship withdrawal. 

Application Checklist & Submission Instructions

 Applicants may choose one of the following methods to submit a complete application:  

1. Digital Submission (Preferred)

• The Application Form itself must be submitted digitally via this Google Form. Your submission of the Google Form will serve as your registration.

• All supporting documents must be uploaded directly to the Google Form.

• ⚠️ Important Disclaimer: All digital document submissions require you to have an active Google/Gmail account to access and use our secure online submission portal.

2. Mail Submission

• You may download and print a complete PDF version of the Application Form (available at GO HERE) and mail it, along with all supporting documents, to the address below.

• If you will be mailing an application, please send a courtesy email to scholarship@jbmdlspouses.org with your full name, address, and phone number so that we can watch for your application.

✅ Required Documents

Prior to submitting your application, please ensure you have completed or requested the following required documents. For maximum flexibility, all supporting documents must be submitted as PDF files uploaded directly to the Google Form or mailed separately. Email submissions are no longer accepted.

• A copy of your current High School/College transcript.

• 2 Letters of Recommendations.

• For High School applicants, a STAT FORM downloaded and completed by a Guidance Counselor (located at GO HERE.)

Visual Essay Submission (May be Uploaded or Mailed)

• Submit one original, meaningful piece of artwork, photograph, or digital design that visually represents the concept of "resilience" in the context of a military family.

• The visual piece and its accompanying written explanation should be provided together in the submission.

• The submission must be accompanied by a written explanation (maximum 300 words) that clearly explains the meaning and symbolism used in the piece.

• Written explanations should be word-processed, double-spaced. Do NOT use your name or the name of your school in the written explanation. Please use "student" or "applicant" or a personal pronoun. 

Mail completed applications & attachments to the following address:

The Spouses of JBMDL Organization Thrift Store Inc.

Attn: Scholarship Committee

PO Box 761
Wrightstown, NJ, 08562

All paperwork must be received/postmarked by March 27, 2026.  Please ensure all paperwork is mailed in the same file. If you have any questions, please email the scholarship committee at scholarship@jbmdlspouses.org

Opening Doors! 

Check out the 2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients. 

See the students empowered by this 2025 awards – details here.