Scholarship program kicks off Nov. 4 Published Nov. 3, 2003 By Donna Miles American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- The application period for the children of active-duty, retired, Guard and Reserve members to apply for $1,500 academic scholarships kicks off Nov. 4. The application window for the 2004 Scholarships for Military Children program extends through Feb. 18.In four years, the Defense Commissary Agency program has awarded nearly $2.5 million in scholarships to about 1,500 children of U.S. servicemembers and retirees.The goal is to award at least one scholarship at every commissary location, depending on the number of qualified applicants and funding, said Kay Kennedy, chief of corporate communications for the agency.Funding comes from manufacturers and suppliers whose products are sold at military commissaries, Kennedy said. The Fisher House Foundation is also underwriting the program's administrative costs.The general public can also contribute to the program through the Fisher House Foundation and the Armed Forces Foundation.Last year, 550 scholarship recipients were selected from 6,500 applicants.For more information about the scholarship program and application procedures, visit the program's Web site at www.militaryscholar.org.