Rooted in service. Driven by spirit.Steadfast Spirit Scholarship

The Steadfast Spirit Scholarship in Honor of Mollie Raymond emphasizes resilience and dedication, honoring military spouses who demonstrate unshakable strength and commitment despite the challenges of military life. Its focus is on the spirit of perseverance that grounds families and communities through change and uncertainty.

The scholarship will cover up to one online degree program (associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree). The scholarship will be applied directly to the recipient’s tuition for up to 60 semester hours or 36 consecutive months in the selected online degree program, whichever comes first. This scholarship covers tuition, textbooks, and technology fees.

Honoree

Mollie Raymond

Mollie Raymond has long been a steadfast champion for military spouses and families, dedicating her time and energy to strengthening the communities that support them. Married to General John “Jay” Raymond, the first Chief of Space Operations, Mollie had the unique honor of serving alongside him during the historic establishment of the United States Space Force. Throughout more than 20 moves, she remained the steady foundation for her family—turning challenge into purpose and personal sacrifice into lasting impact within every community she serves.

Through fostering meaningful family engagement, building authentic connections, and cultivating a strong sense of belonging, Mollie has consistently worked to ensure military families feel supported wherever duty calls. A passionate advocate for military spouse employment, she recognizes that meaningful work empowers spouses while reinforcing the resilience and readiness of military families. In recognition of her extraordinary service, Mollie was awarded the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service in October 2022 and the 2023 Hiring Our Heroes Bonnie Amos Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Eligibility

• Be the spouse of a current or veteran service member from any of the six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, including Guard and Reserve.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Be prepared to begin coursework within 90 days of receiving the award.
• Meet CSU admissions standards for their chosen degree level (2.0 GPA for undergraduate, 3.0 GPA for graduate).
• Maintain continuous enrollment and remain in good standing throughout the degree program.

Required Documents

1. Title 10 or Title 32 orders for Guard/Reserve members.
2. DD-214 for veteran spouses (may also require a copy of marriage license).
3. For Guard/Reserve, would a copy of the LES (Leave and Earnings Statement) or the NGB Form 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service).
4. A written essay (2,000 words or less) addressing the prompt.

Application Period

The scholarship application will open on July 5. All required documents must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. on August 31.

The scholarship committee will review all applications and select recipients. Award notifications will be issued within 15 business days after the conclusion of the review process. The scholarship will be awarded in September.