California Legion district funds endowment for student vets

California Legion district funds endowment for student vets

Student veterans planning on attending school at San Diego State University (SDSU) can apply to receive a scholarship from "The American Legion – District 22 Endowed Veterans Scholarship," an endowment funded by the 22nd District of the Legion's Department of California.

This spring, District 22 voted to launch the endowment with a gift of $50,000. The distribution of that money will fund scholarships each year for student veterans headed to SDSU, beginning with two $1,000 scholarships in 2016. The principal will live in perpetuity, funding additional student-veteran scholarships each year as it accrues interest and redistributes unused funds.

The Campanile Foundation, SDSU's gift-managing auxiliary organization, will be in charge of maintaining the fund and determining the payout amounts and investment strategies each term.

Student veterans interested in applying for a scholarship with The American Legion – District 22 Endowed Veterans Scholarship or receiving more information should email veterans@sdsu.edu or phone the student services staff at SDSU's Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center at (619) 594-5813.

With an estimated 3,280 veterans and dependents at SDSU, District 22 chose the school as a benefactor for the scholarship fund as a means of providing educational assistance to the post-9/11 veterans in San Diego County who are transitioning into the next steps of their lives.

“The American Legion is synonymous with veterans education, having been instrumental in the first and most recent GI Bill passage and helping transitional veterans navigate the confusing world of education benefits,” District 22 Commander Anthony "Tony" Stewart said. “We are excited to form a partnership with San Diego State University to further our goals of honoring those who have served our great nation and choose to make their transition through higher education.”