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Adelphi, Md. (Sept. 18, 2024)—University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) has awarded Pillars of Strength Scholarships to a record 14 caregivers of wounded, ill or injured servicemembers for 2024. It is the largest cohort of scholarship winners since the unusual and highly competitive program was established.

The scholarships provide critical assistance to often-overlooked spouses, partners, parents or children who have devoted years to caring for loved ones. Volunteer caregivers receive few, if any, federal benefits and often must take over as the income earners in their families, even while providing care. Pillars of Strength Scholarships cover full tuition and fees at UMGC for as long as the recipient needs to complete a degree.

The program is designed to move caregivers into careers that will provide their families with greater financial security. 

“It is a true honor to reward these extraordinary caregivers and open up possibilities for them to control their destiny, pursue a fulfilling career and provide for their families,” said Gregory Fowler, president of UMGC. “They have sacrificed so much to provide care to veterans who have paid a high price for their service. Anything we can do to ease their futures is good for the country.”

Since its launch in 2013, Pillars of Strength Scholarships have been awarded to 84 volunteer caregivers across the country. Thirty of those scholars have now completed �Ҹ������� degrees.

"This new class of Pillars of Strength scholars have sacrificed their time and postponed goals of their own for the dedicated care of their loved ones. We are honored to provide these deserving individuals with full scholarships so that their dreams can be fulfilled. It’s their time now,” said Carrie Blewitt, daughter of Rich Blewitt, the founder of the scholarship program.  

Many caregivers experience sleepless nights and strained finances while juggling schedules filled with medical appointments for loved ones whose injuries and illnesses—both seen and unseen—require complex surgeries or treatments. This challenge comes in tandem with other family responsibilities, often pushing the caregivers’ own aspirations to the side.

“Our commitment to support programs that help veterans and their families and to education-related initiatives is a perfect match with the goals of this unique scholarship program,” said Ellen Myers, executive director of the Kahlert Foundation, a major donor to the university’s veterans assistance programs and the Pillars of Strength program. “We know the transformational effects of education and believe it can be a true difference maker in the lives of these deserving caregivers.”

Pillars of Strength Scholarship recipients say the educational assistance allows them to reach for new opportunities without adding to their families’ financial burden.   

"Removing financial barriers to education for our military caregivers grants them the opportunity to pursue their goals and dreams while continuing to care for our nation's heroes," said Besa Pinchotti, executive director of the National Military Family Association, a partner organization for the Pillars of Strength Scholarship program. "It is a privilege to recognize them with full scholarships so they may pursue their education and accomplish their dreams."

Scholarship recipients said the Pillars of Strength program shines a needed light on the pivotal role played by the families of injured or ill servicemembers and veterans. “Most caregivers like me are in survival mode so we don’t see our strengths,” said 2024 scholarship recipient Vanessa Chism. “Here was UMGC validating my worth by saying ‘what you've done is amazing.’”

Too many wounded vets, especially those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), walk away from the military without the help they need, one scholarship recipient said. The result is years of suffering for both them and their families.

Several of this year’s recipients plan to use their �Ҹ������� degrees to assist other caregiving families in navigating the complex system of veterans’ benefits. They noted that caregivers can be crucial advocates in obtaining needed medical and psychological attention for their loved ones.  

Here are the stories of 14 remarkable caregivers who are using their new educational journey to remake themselves and build their families’—and their own—resilience: