USA Scholarships
AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship 2026 - $2,500
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The AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship is a $2,500 merit award from the AFCEA Educational Foundation, supported by the AFCEA Northern Virginia Chapter, for undergraduate veterans and active-duty personnel studying C4I-related STEM fields. You must be a US citizen, enrolled at an accredited four-year US college or university, and a sophomore or junior when you apply. Eligible applicants include active-duty uniformed service members and honorably discharged veterans, Reservists, or National Guard members who deployed abroad in support of an Overseas Contingency Operation since 2003. Funds apply to tuition and required course expenses. Complete applications with transcripts and recommendations are due 1 May 2026.
What is the AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship?
The AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship is a $2,500 merit grant for undergraduates who wore the uniform, deployed in support of Overseas Contingency Operations, and now study technical fields tied to command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, and surveillance. AFCEA Educational Foundation runs the program with help from the Northern Virginia chapter, and the money is meant to keep veterans and active-duty students moving toward STEM degrees without juggling every bill alone.
The rules are strict about where you are in school. Sophomores and juniors at accredited four-year US universities qualify; freshmen and graduating seniors do not. You also need a 3.0 GPA, US citizenship, and a major on AFCEA's approved STEM list, from computer science and cybersecurity to electrical engineering and intelligence studies. Part-time enrollment is fine, and distance programs count when they tie back to a major US institution.
Paperwork is the hard part. Redact your SSN from DD214 or service certificates, send official transcripts to [email protected], and make sure two recommenders actually email their PDF letters before 1 May 2026. Optional resume or third letter can help, but missing a core document will stall your file. If you are the kind of student who already balances labs with military service records, block time in March and April to finish early rather than racing the May cutoff.
Eligibility
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✓US citizenApplicants must be US citizens. Permanent residents and international students are not listed as eligible on the official AFCEA War Veterans page.
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✓Sophomore or junior undergraduateYou must be a sophomore or junior at an accredited four-year US college or university at the time of application. Freshmen, seniors, and students graduating in the application year cannot apply.
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✓Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPAYour overall GPA must be at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Official transcripts must reflect all college-level coursework, including the most recently completed term listed on the current cycle instructions.
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✓Eligible C4I-related STEM majorYou must pursue an undergraduate major aligned with AFCEA's mission, such as computer science, cybersecurity, electrical engineering, information technology, intelligence, mathematics, physics, robotics, telecommunications, or another qualifying STEM field listed on afcea.org/war-veterans.
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✓Overseas Contingency Operation serviceActive-duty applicants must be in uniformed service. Veterans, Reservists, and National Guard members must have deployed abroad in support of OCO missions such as Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Inherent Resolve, or Freedom's Sentinel. Submit DD214 or Certificate of Service with SSN removed.
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✓Part-time or full-time enrollmentBoth part-time and full-time students may apply if they meet the class-level and major requirements. Eligible online or distance programs must be affiliated with an accredited US institution.
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✓Teacher certification track (alternate path)Students pursuing a credential to teach STEM at US K-12 schools may qualify under the War Veteran Teacher Certification Program if they already hold a bachelor's degree in science or a related field and are actively working toward licensure.
Benefits
- Scholarship amount $2,500 (merit-based)
- Tuition and required fees Eligible use of funds
- Books, supplies, and equipment Course-related expenses covered
- Room and board Not described as covered
- Funding availability Subject to foundation resources each cycle
- Renewable multi-year grant One-time scholarship unless stated otherwise
Document checklist
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✓Completed AFCEA War Veterans application formFill out the online application on afcea.org/war-veterans. Do not submit incomplete forms; every required field and upload must be finished by the deadline.
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✓DD214 or Certificate of ServiceProvide deployment-verifying service paperwork. Remove Social Security numbers before uploading or mailing documents.
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✓Two letters of recommendationSecure two recommendations from professors in your major field. If that is not possible, commanding officers or employers in a related field may write on your behalf. Recommenders email PDF letters to [email protected].
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✓Official college transcriptsRequest electronic delivery from your school to [email protected]. If electronic submission is unavailable, mail official transcripts to AFCEA Educational Foundation, 4114 Legato Road, Suite 1000, Fairfax, VA 22033 by 1 May 2026.
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✓Proof of current enrollment if neededIf in-progress coursework does not appear on your transcript, include registration documentation showing current enrollment for the term listed in the cycle instructions.
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✓Optional third recommendation or resumeYou may add one extra recommendation letter or a resume to strengthen your file. These materials are optional and do not replace required documents.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship?
It is a $2,500 merit scholarship from the AFCEA Educational Foundation for US citizen undergraduates who served in Overseas Contingency Operations or are on active duty, are sophomores or juniors, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, and study an eligible C4I-related STEM major at an accredited four-year US college or university.
How much is the AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship worth?
Merit-based awards are $2,500 when funding is available. Money applies to tuition and required course-related expenses such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment. Room and board are not listed as covered expenses on the official page.
When is the AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship deadline?
Applications and supporting documents must be complete by 1 May 2026 for the cycle described on afcea.org/war-veterans. Official transcripts should be sent electronically to [email protected] or mailed to the Fairfax, Virginia foundation address if electronic delivery is impossible.
Which military deployments qualify for AFCEA War Veterans?
Qualifying service includes deployment abroad in support of Overseas Contingency Operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Operation Freedom's Sentinel. Active-duty members in uniformed services may also apply. Provide DD214 or current service paperwork with SSN removed.
Can freshmen or seniors apply for the AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship?
No. Freshmen and seniors are ineligible, and students may not apply during the year they graduate. You must be a sophomore or junior enrolled part time or full time at an accredited four-year US institution.
What majors qualify for the AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship?
AFCEA lists C4I-related STEM disciplines such as aerospace engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, electrical engineering, information technology, intelligence, mathematics, mechanical engineering, network security, physics, robotics, statistics, and telecommunications engineering. Review the full major list on afcea.org/war-veterans before applying.
How do I submit AFCEA War Veterans recommendation letters?
Recommenders email PDF letters to [email protected]. AFCEA prefers professors in your major field. If that is not possible, a commanding officer or employer in a related field may write instead. Do not mail recommendation letters separately unless current instructions say otherwise.
Who can I contact about AFCEA scholarship eligibility?
Email [email protected] with questions about eligibility, transcripts, or deployment documentation. The foundation office is at 4114 Legato Road, Suite 1000, Fairfax, Virginia 22033.
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