Kaplan University and ThanksUSA Award Full Scholarship to Military Spouse

DAVENPORT, Iowa--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kaplan University, a leader in higher education innovation, awarded a Kaplan University/ThanksUSA scholarship to Mary Siegel, a military spouse of 17 years who will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Human Services through the University’s College of Arts and Sciences. The Kaplan University/ThanksUSA award is a full scholarship designed to give military spouses with an opportunity to advance their education.

“We award a full scholarship in recognition of the spirit and sacrifice of our military and their families, and to say, “Thank you”

“We award a full scholarship in recognition of the spirit and sacrifice of our military and their families, and to say, “Thank you”, in a very small way,” said Lt. General Norm Lezy, a member of Kaplan University’s board of trustees, upon presenting Siegel with the award. “Mrs. Siegel, who has sacrificed so much for her country now looks to educate herself in order to give back, or rather, to give more.”

Siegel, who works for the Department of Veterans Affairs, is finishing her associate’s degree at Coastline Community College where she has a 3.86 GPA. She is stationed in Fort Stewart, GA, with her husband Sgt. First Class Robert Siegel, a special operations recruiting commander, and two children, Paige and Sadie. Siegel plans to use her education to help other military families and wounded warriors.

Kaplan University awarded this scholarship in conjunction with ThanksUSA, a non-profit organization that recognizes military families for their service by providing educational scholarships. In addition to Siegel’s scholarship, the University awarded several partial scholarships to military spouses attending the University.

Kaplan University offers a suite of military education benefits to service members, veterans and military spouses, and has served thousands of them since it began offering online degrees in 2001. The University currently serves more than 8,000 military students. Its Military Student Support Center has specially trained admissions, academic and financial aid advisors. The University offers a 55 percent tuition reduction for active duty service members and reservists, a 38 percent tuition reduction for military veterans and a 10 percent reduction for spouses of active duty service members.

About ThanksUSA

Founded in the fall of 2005, ThanksUSA, a non-partisan 501(c) (3) organization, is an effort to thank the men and women of our armed forces and their families for their service to the country with the gift of education. The organization provides needs-based, post-secondary education opportunities to the children and spouses of active-duty status military personnel through competitive scholarships. For more information, visit www.ThanksUSA.org.

About Kaplan University

Kaplan University offers a different school of thought for higher education. It strives to help adult students unlock their talent by providing a practical, student-centered education that prepares them for careers in some of the fastest-growing industries. The University, which has its main campus in Davenport, Iowa, and its headquarters in Chicago, is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (www.ncahlc.org) and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Kaplan University serves more than 53,000 online and campus-based students. The University has 11 campuses in Iowa, Nebraska, Maryland and Maine, and Kaplan University Learning Centers in Maryland, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri and Florida.

Kaplan University is part of Kaplan Higher Education, which serves more than 78,000 students online and through more than 70 campus-based schools across the United States. Kaplan Higher Education schools offer a spectrum of academic opportunities, from certificates and diplomas to graduate and professional degrees, including a juris doctor degree. Kaplan Higher Education is part of Kaplan, Inc., a leading international provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Kaplan, Inc. is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO), and its largest division. For more information about Kaplan University, visit www.kaplanuniversity.edu.