General Information
The Army Women’s Foundation recognizes the importance of education and the role it plays in personal, professional and economic fulfillment. The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program provides grants to women soldiers, past and present, and their lineal descendants to help them attain their educational goals.
The Legacy Scholarship Program offers financial support in four areas: Certificate programs, Community College coursework, Undergraduate Degrees, and Graduate Degrees. Scholarships are awarded only for coursework from accredited institutions. Scholarships are based on merit, academic potential, community service, letters of recommendation, and need.
- Community College and Certificate Program Legacy Scholarships will be awarded up to $1,000.
- College, University, and Graduate Program Legacy Scholarships will be awarded up to $2,500.
ELIGIBILITY
- Applicant must be a woman who has served or is serving honorably in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, Army National Guard or the child of a woman who served honorably in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
- Community College Legacy Scholarships: Applicant must be a high school graduate with a 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) or GED and must be currently enrolled in an accredited community college.
- Certificate Program Legacy Scholarships: Applicant must be a high school graduate with a 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) or GED and must be currently enrolled in accredited Certificate granting institution.
- College and University Legacy Scholarships: Applicant must be currently enrolled at an accredited college or university and have completed 30 credit hours of course work and with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.
- Graduate Program Legacy Scholarships: Applicant must have achieved an undergraduate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must be enrolled in or accepted into a Graduate level program — Masters or Doctoral.
AWARDS
Selection of the Legacy Scholarship recipient(s) are made by a Scholarship Committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation. Each level of scholarship award will be evaluated and considered separately by the USAWF Scholarship Committee who will also determine the number of scholarships awarded for each level and the amounts of each scholarship. Army women will be considered in one category and the children of Army women will be considered in a separate category. In this way, peers will compete with peers. Past AWF Legacy Scholarship recipients may receive a total of two awards in any category except Graduate Studies which may only receive one award. For example, a recipient may be selected and awarded one year for the University Scholarship award and the next year applies as a graduate student. They are eligible still for the one graduate studies award.
The scholarship funds may be used to assist with tuition, fees, books, and school documented room and board. Scholarships are awarded only to students attending accredited institutions. The funds will be sent to the academic institution for documented expenses and must be used in the academic year awarded. The academic year of the award begins the Fall semester after the award announcement. These funds may not be used for prior academic expenses. If selected, AWF Legacy Scholarship recipients are to provide:
a) a photograph and a statement for use in AWF publications, newsletter, website, social media, and marketing materials, etc. andb) follow-up information and feedback as to how the AWF scholarship assisted in their education for AWF research and marketing.
CRITERIA
All application materials, including online application form, essay, official transcript(s), two recommendations, proof of matriculation at designated accredited academic institution, as well as commander’s verification of active duty or qualified documentation of the sponsor or woman’s service (e.g. Department of Defense Form DD-214, Honorable Discharge Certificate, etc.) must be submitted and postmarked by January 15, 2017.
List of Required materials:
- Online Application - This form is required and must be submitted online. You may apply for only one scholarship. Online application form can be found at: http://goo.gl/forms/2f9HkSn1Q2NR2mGB2.
- Commander’s verification of active duty or qualified documentation of the sponsor or woman’s service (e.g. Department of Defense Form DD-214, Honorable Discharge Certificate, etc.)
- An official transcript from their college or university is required. For new applicants to a community college, high school transcripts or GED documentation must accompany the application.
- Two letters of recommendation (on letterhead for reference letters) with titles and contact information are also required. One letter of recommendation MUST be from a school advisor, counselor, dean of students, professor, etc. Letters of recommendation should demonstrate why a Legacy Scholarship should be awarded to the specific student.
- The application requires a short essay (2 pages or less, typed, double-spaced) highlighting why the recipient should be considered for this scholarship. The essay must address future plans as related to the applicant’s selected program of study and must include pertinent information in assessing an applicant’s other areas to include community service, activities, and work experience. The applicant must also address specifically how the Army has impacted their life and/or goals.
- All materials must be labeled with applicant’s name and postmarked by the deadline for consideration and selection.
All materials should be sent directly to:USAWFScholarship CommitteeP.O. Box 5030Fort Lee, VA 23801POSTMARK DEADLINE: JANUARY 15, 2017
Frequently Asked Questions
What scholarship programs do you offer? How much are the scholarships for, and are they renewable? How do I know if I am eligible for one of them?
The Foundation manages the Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program which provides scholarships to women soldiers, past and present, and their lineal descendants to help them attain their educational goals. The Legacy Scholarship Program offers financial support in four areas: Certificate programs, Community College coursework, Undergraduate Degrees, and Graduate Degrees. Each year the Scholarship Committee determines the number of scholarships issued and amounts. You can view information on eligibility and application deadlines by clicking on the General Information tab above.
Do you offer scholarships for graduate studies?
Yes. Click here for information on our graduate studies scholarship.
How do I apply for a Legacy Scholarship?
Review the information about the Army Women’s Foundation’s scholarship program thoroughly. Any incomplete applications, including the supporting required documents, will be disqualified. For details on required application materials or additional information please visit the scholarship application website.
Can I fax my application?
No, you must submit your application on-line only. The following supporting documentation must be mailed.
Short Essay
Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
Official Academic Transcripts
Commander’s verification of active duty or qualified documentation of the sponsor or woman’s service (e.g. Department of Defense Form DD-214)
Click here for more details on this list of supporting documentation.
How and when will I be notified if I receive a scholarship? Can I call to follow up?
Following the application deadline, the scholarship committee will begin the review process. This process concludes around the end of February. Applicants who were selected to receive a scholarship will be notified by early March. If additional information is needed you will be contacted.
What are my chances for receiving a scholarship?
Volunteer scholarship selection committees review all applications and select recipients based on availability of funds and the competitiveness of the applicant pool. Competition for scholarships is strong and meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee funding.
If my application is declined, can you tell me why?
The Foundation is unable to provide feedback on individual applications.
Can I apply for more than one scholarship at a time?
No, we can only accept one scholarship application per applicant.
If I receive a scholarship, what do I have to do for you?
Notify the Foundation of a change in address, change major, and transfer schools within two weeks of the change or if you stop attending school.
Reply promptly to requests for information.
Sign and return the Acceptance and release statement.
Send us a high resolution photograph and statement for Foundation use.
Provide us your institution’s address that processes scholarship funds.
Follow-up information and feedback for AWF research and marketing.
What can my scholarship be used for?
The scholarship can be used for any educational expenses: tuition and fees, books and supplies, on-campus room and board.
If I am awarded, how do I receive my funds?
Scholarship checks are sent directly to your school’s student accounts or financial aid office. If your scholarship check has not been issued to your school on your behalf; please contact the Foundation as we may be missing documentation needed to process a payment. Refund of unused scholarship funds are to be returned to the foundation.
What happens if I change majors, transfer schools or drop out?
You should notify the Army Women’s Foundation immediately at 804-734-3078.
Are scholarships renewable?
Scholarships are not renewable, but you may re-apply for a scholarship based if you have only previously received one certificate studies, community college, or undergraduate degree.
If I receive a scholarship, should I send a thank you note to the donor? Where do I send it?
Yes. Thank you notes are highly encouraged. You may address your thank you note to “Scholarship Committee” and mail it to: Army Women’s FoundationP.O. Box 5030Fort Lee, VA 23801
