child  care  in  a  group  environment  outside  of their homes. Currently,  most  Navy  and  Marine  Corps installations  provide  some  child  care  facilities; however,  these  facilities  may  not  be  large enough to provide for all of the child care needs of  the  military  community.  Various  types  of child  care  facilities  can  usually  be  found  in  the local  community  which  may  be  utilized  in  addi- tion  to  an  on-base  child  care  facility. DEPARTMENT  OF  DEFENSE DEPENDENT SCHOOLS (DODDSs) Department  of  Defense  Dependents  Schools (DODDSs)  is  the  only  U.S.  school  system  which has  schools  located  around  the  world. The DODDS system ranks as the 11th largest U.S.  school  system,  counts  a  student  population of  approximately  140,000,  and  has  273  schools located in 23 countries. Although  the  schools  are  located  in  many parts  of  the  world,  the  quality  of  education exceeds  the  standards  set  by  the  North  Central Association   of   Colleges   and   Schools   (NCA). All  57  DOD  high  schools  are  accredited  by the  NCA.  Some  DOD  elementary  and  middle schools  are  now  accredited  by  NCA,  and  others will be processed for accreditation over the next few years. The  NCA  accreditation  of  DOD  schools  and a  standard  curriculum  plan  permit  students  a much  easier  transition  period  when  they  return to  stateside  schools  from  the  DOD  schools. Many dependent schools offer special educa- tion   classes   for   physically   or   educationally handicapped   children,   including   those   with visual  and  hearing  impairment.  Remedial  read- ing  specialists  are  assigned  to  schools  to  aid teachers   in   improving   student   communication skills.  DODDSs  also  provide  correspondence courses  for  those  students  who  live  in  remote areas  which  have  no  school  facilities. Dormitory facilities are available at 8 of the 57  secondary  schools.  These  schools  are  staffed with  dormitory  counselors  who  are  fully  qual- ified   instructors   and   offer   substitute-parent supervision  to  the  high  school  students. When  the  students’  homes  are  more  than  1 hour’s   commuting   distance   from   the   schools, students live in the dormitories Monday through Friday.  If  the  students’  homes  are  more  than  2 hours away from the schools, the students live in the  dormitories  for  the  7-day  week  and  have vacation breaks at Easter and Christmas. Dependent Scholarships and Educational Aid More  than  20  Navy-oriented  organizations currently  sponsor  scholarships  or  offer  aid  for study  beyond  the  high  school  level.  Dependent sons and daughters of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast  Guard  members  and  former  members  are eligible for these scholarships or aid. The   Naval   Military   Personnel   Command (NMPC-641C)   administers   the   Dependents Scholarship   Program   and   processes   applica- tions.   The   scholarships,   which   are   funded   by sponsoring  groups,  are  usually  awarded  on  the basis  of  scholastic  achievement,  character, and   financial   need.   Selection   committees   of the  sponsoring  groups  select  and  notify  the recipients. The   Scholarship   Pamphlet   (NAVPERS 15003  series)  contains  a  wealth  of  information concerning  the  Dependents’  Scholarship  Pro- gram, including requirements for eligibility. The pamphlet  and  applications  are  available  upon request  from  the  career  counselor.  Information about  the  following  year’s  program  is  usually available   in   December   and   the   application deadline is March 15. Another  source  for  educational  aid  is the  Navy  Relief  Society-sponsored  Guaranteed Student  Loan.  Loans  up  to  ,500  per  year (,500  total)  are  provided  for  undergraduate study   or   vocational   training.   Graduate   study loans can be made up to ,000 per year (,000 total or a maximum of ,000 if loan is under- graduate  and  graduate  combined).  Information, eligibility   requirements,   and   applications   are available  from  the  Navy  Relief  Society.  For further  information  see  MILPERSMAN  Article 6210110. 5-12