VFW Post 7248 to award nine scholarships

Sparta Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7248 will provide nine Ralph Rojas scholarships totaling $20,000 to be used for winners’ post-secondary education-related expenses in the 2023-24 academic year.

“Sparta VFW Post 7248 is dedicated to serving veterans and their families in Sussex County, New Jersey, and is committed to supporting their needs both physically and financially,” said Commander Peter Litchfield.

“Through these scholarships, the VFW is providing veterans and/or their immediate family members with a valuable opportunity to further their education and careers and to contribute to their communities in new and meaningful ways. Whether students are working toward a degree or obtaining a certification, these scholarships will provide financial assistance to assist them in reaching their goals.”

One $4,000 scholarship, two $3,000 scholarships, two $2,000 scholarships and four $1,500 scholarships will be awarded.

At least one scholarship will go to an applicant pursuing a science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) degree.

The application deadline is April 3. Scholarship recipients will be notified by April 14,, and scholarship checks will be awarded during a ceremony at the Sparta VFW on April 26.

Scholarship committee chairwoman Rosemarie Russell said, “Proceeds from our 2022 Christmas tree sales, our annual clambake fundraiser, a $3,000 donation from Thorlabs, private donations to the Sparta VFW and donations from private donors in memory of Korean War veteran Ralph Rojas contributed to this year’s overwhelming dollar amount.”

To qualify for a scholarship, applicants must be Sussex County veterans, spouses of Sussex County veterans or dependents of Sussex County veterans pursuing a technical/trade school or undergraduate/postgraduate degree; active-duty military personnel stationed at Picatinny Arsenal or their dependents; or Sussex County students who have been accepted into an ROTC program or service academy/school.

Applicants must submit a completed application form available online at http://bit.ly/3HVgLay and through the Sparta VFW Facebook page (www.facebook.com/spartavfw) or they may request an emailed application form by contacting Rosemarie Russell at 347-661-4233 or spartavfw7248@gmail.com

Applicants will receive confirmation of application receipt by email.

Scholarship recipients will be selected by the scholarship committee based on veteran status, character and academic achievement. Phone or in-person interviews may be conducted if deemed necessary.

The William B. Sanford Memorial VFW Post 7248 was formed by a group of Sparta World War II veterans more than 60 years ago.

The post is at 66 Main St., Sparta.