Getting a college degree can be expensive and some families struggle to afford it. To help with the cost of higher education, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (MCSF) makes scholarships available to families. To be eligible, the applicant must be the child of an active, reserve, or retired member of the Marine Corps; sustain a GPA of at least 2.0; demonstrate financial need; and be planning to attend an accredited institution that accepts federal funding. In 2024, MCSF is awarding $11.8 million in scholarship money. 

To discuss MCSF scholarships and how the Foundation helps military families, Sarah Bumgardner, AAFMAA Director of Partnerships and Member Engagement, spoke with Colonel Harold “Oddie” Van Opdorp, COO of Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. Col. Van Opdorp joined MCSF in 2021 where he directs operational activities and ensures the financial strength and operating efficiency of the organization. He also serves as the Corporate Secretary for all governance-related matters. After serving for 30 years, Col. Van Opdorp retired from the Marine Corps in 2019. While on active duty, he held various high-level posts, including Chief of Staff for the Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller) and the Secretary of the Navy, and participated in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, and Eastern Exit. Col. Opdorp’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star with Combat “V”, and the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star. 

To learn more about scholarships available to the military community, visit the MCSF website and watch the discussion below. 

More from Col. Van Opdorp: How an MCSF Scholarship Makes College Affordable