Scholarships

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Marine Corps League – Loudoun County Detachment 1205

Investing in the Next Generation

Every Marine remembers the people who believed in them before they had proven anything. The Marine Corps League scholarship programs carry that belief forward. They help young men and women in our Marine Corps family pay for college or trade school, and they reward the values we hold dear: respect, self-discipline, patriotism and service to others.

A scholarship is more than a check. It tells a student that a community of Marines, veterans and families is standing behind them. For many recipients, it is their first real connection to the Marine Corps League and to a tradition of service that spans generations.

Why It Matters

Opens doors to education. Awards go toward tuition at accredited colleges and universities, and the Department of Virginia award also covers recognized trade schools.
Honors family service. Many awards are reserved for the children and grandchildren of League members and of Marines who gave their lives in the line of duty.
Recognizes character. Applicants are judged on their grades and also on who they are: their leadership, community service and goals.
Builds a bridge to service. Young Marines and students from Marine families see firsthand what "Once a Marine, Always a Marine" means. Some go on to wear the uniform themselves, and many stay part of our family for life.

Scholarships Available

Marine Corps League National Scholarship

Administered by the MCL National Scholarship Committee and funded in part through the Marine Corps League Foundation

Who can apply:

Paid MCL or MCL Auxiliary members in good standing
Spouses, children, stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of paid MCL or Auxiliary members in good standing
Children of U.S. Marines, FMF Navy Corpsmen and Navy Chaplains serving with a Marine unit who were killed in action

Requirements:

Cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.30 or higher (4.00 scale)
Full-time undergraduate enrollment (12 or more semester hours) at an accredited institution
Awarded for up to four years, which do not have to be consecutive. Students must reapply each year.
Every recipient receives the same amount. The amount depends on available funds.

How it works, a two-step process (2026 timeline, for reference):

Scholarship Application due by July 21, 2026 (submitted electronically).
Preliminary Recipient List posted on the League website on September 2, 2026. Students on the list then submit their college-specific Student Data Sheet and Proof of Enrollment by September 21, 2026.

Final requirement: students selected for the award must submit a Confirmation of Enrollment as a full-time student from their school. Reminders will not be sent. Without this confirmation, the award will not be paid. Details are given to successful applicants when the preliminary list is posted.

Questions: Joe Hughes, Committee Chairperson, scholarship@mcleague.org, 913-660-4817. All email for the National Scholarship Program goes to scholarship@mcleague.org.

The 2027 dates have not been posted yet. Check back in early 2027.

MCL Department of Virginia "Dick Branich" Memorial Scholarship

Who can apply:

Son, daughter, grandchild or stepchild of a Marine who lost their life in the line of duty
Son, daughter, grandchild or stepchild of a Department of Virginia MCL or Auxiliary member in good standing
Young Marines in good standing with two years of honorable service and the rank of Corporal or higher

Requirements: minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and acceptance to a college or recognized trade school. The award amount depends on the fund each year (it was $1,500 in 2025). Applications have been due in May, before the Department Spring Convention. The 2027 announcement is not yet posted.

Det 1205 Local Scholarship (coming soon)

Detachment 1205 is setting up its own scholarship award for Loudoun County seniors. Details are to be announced. For more information, contact the Commandant at commandant@loudounmarines1205.org.

How to Apply: Step by Step

Check eligibility. Make sure you, or the League member sponsoring you, are a paid member in good standing. Then check that your GPA meets the minimum.
Contact Detachment 1205. We will confirm your sponsor's membership, help you find the current forms and answer your questions. The local sponsoring detachment also confirms that each applicant shows the values the League stands for.
Download the current application.
- National: https://www.mcleaguelibrary.org/youth-programs/
- Department of Virginia: https://virginiamarines.com/
Gather your documents. These may include transcripts, proof of acceptance or enrollment, a short personal history covering your honors, activities and goals, recommendations (Young Marines need one from unit staff), and all required signatures, including the detachment's.
Submit by the deadline. Type or print clearly. Incomplete packages are not considered.
If you are selected for the National award, submit your Student Data Sheet and official proof of enrollment to Scholarship@MCLeague.org by the posted deadline. Funds are sent directly to your school.