Heading into its 15th year, Colorado’s arm of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is working to increase its college subsidy reach, especially in Denver.
“We’re looking for kids for whom this scholarship can make the difference,” said Mike Boian, a veteran who serves as chairman of the organization’s state branch. “There are plenty of them, and they are wonderful.”
The group has provided an average of about $3,000 in funds each year for every one of the roughly 500 students in Colorado awarded scholarships since the branch’s inception in 2002.
Last year, 38 students in the state were recipients.
The foundation is working to expand its presence especially in Denver Public Schools ahead of the application period in January and February.
Eligible pupils must show financial need, have a high school grade-point-average of at least 2.0 and be children of a Navy corpsman or Marine. The foundation says while scholarship amounts vary, any eligible pupil is given some level of funding.
“No kid walks away empty-handed,” Boian said.
John Roos, a senior at Colorado State University in Fort Collins studying soil and crop science, was awarded a scholarship in his sophomore year.
Roos’ father lost a leg fighting in Vietnam, and he sees the foundation as a connection to that sacrifice and service.
“It really means a lot for me to get this,” said Roos, of Littleton. “It’s really a game-changer for me to be able to complete my educational goal. It’s amazing how something so tragic can have some lifelong lessons that come from it.”
For Brooke Bolen, a freshman studying nursing at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs who was awarded funds, the foundation has become a family affair. Her older brother also earned a scholarship.
“It’s really supportive of the choices our parents made,” said Bolen, whose father was a Marine. “We want to serve them the way they served our country.”
The foundation raises money through events in Colorado throughout the year but also relies on individual donors and businesses who contribute.
Marco Antonio Abarca, who owns Ready Foods Inc. in Denver, is heading into his third year of contributing to the foundation. Abarca has named a fund after one of his employee’s sons who was a Marine killed in a car wreck before deploying to Iraq
“Our country has been at war for a long, long time,” Abarca said. “Not only do the soldiers make great sacrifices, but so do the families — their children especially. It’s my way of acknowledging the sacrifices of Marine Corps children.”
Jesse Paul: 303-954-1733, jpaul@denverpost.com or @JesseAPaul
To donate:
Those wishing to donate can visit and can specify their gift for Colorado students. Applications can be submitted at .
