The Disabled American Veterans Lynn-Swampscott E.F. Gilmore Chapter 64 has increased the amount of their four scholarships from $500 each to $1000 each. This is the second year of the chapter’s scholarship program.
“Last year, DAV had our inaugural scholarship program. We wanted to find a way to serve the younger generation in the community. We figured if we can help them with their education, they’ll be leaders in the future,” Brigadier General Andrea Gayle-Bennett of Chapter 64 said.
The scholarship program is something the DAV Chapter 64 wants to do every year, she said.
Under the program, there are four scholarships. Two are for those who are related to a veteran and two are for those who “volunteer in service to veterans,” she said. The scholarships are for Lynn and Swampscott residents.
“It can be used for any accredited post high school education and what makes us a little different is you don’t have to be a high school senior, and it’s not based on need,” Gayle-Bennett said. “So, you know if you’re a high school senior, great, if you’re already in college, great, if you’re trying to earn a master’s degree, that’s fine, any post high school education.”
Applicants are required to write a 500 word essay in response to an essay question.
“The volunteer scholarship question is, ‘what does volunteering for veterans mean to you?’ And for the veteran relatives, ‘considering how divided we are as a nation, what’s your main concern for the future of our country and how can we help to heal it?’ That’s it. And it’s no more than 500 words,” Gayle-Bennett said.
The applications can be found on the DAV website at davma.org or by contacting Gayle-Bennett through email or phone.
“It’s a paper application, we’re not high tech yet, and then they would send the application to me,” Gayle-Bennett said. “The deadline is May 31.”
