USA Scholarships
Magnolia DX Association Scholarship 2027 - $500 MS
The Magnolia DX Association Scholarship 2027 channels club support for long-distance amateur radio into college aid through the ARRL Foundation. One $500 award goes to a licensed ham studying electronics, communications, computer science, engineering, or a closely related major at an accredited postsecondary school. Published ARRL criteria give first preference to Mississippi residents, then to other Delta Division applicants, and first preference to campuses in Mississippi, then to schools elsewhere in the Delta Division. Technician class or higher satisfies the license gate, and graduating high school seniors typically receive extra weight. File the general ARRL Foundation application on Kaleidoscope, upload transcripts with the same submission, and select this fund in your scholarship list. The 2026 cycle is closed; for 2027-2028, plan on a late-October 2026 open, a February 1, 2027 close, late-spring winner notices, and July checks to your bursar.
What is the Magnolia DX Association Scholarship?
The Magnolia DX Association Scholarship puts a small ARRL Foundation grant behind students who already treat the amateur bands as a serious hobby. DX clubs chase contacts far from home, and this fund rewards Mississippi-area operators who want college credentials in the same technical world as their radios.
Preference language matters here. Mississippi residents and in-state campuses rank first, yet ARRL keeps a wider Delta Division pool in play when no Mississippi applicant fits. That means you should read the live geographic table instead of assuming a hard border at the state line.
Technician privileges are enough, which opens the door to younger hams who have not yet tested for General. If you are a senior with a STEM admit letter, lean into contest logs, club projects, or emergency net experience in your Kaleidoscope answers so reviewers see more than a call sign on a form.
February 1 remains the traditional ARRL close date, landing right when spring semester piles up. Request registrar PDFs early, select only scholarships you truly qualify for, and compare timing with other partial awards like the Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship if you want a second national application in the same season.
Eligibility
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✓Active FCC amateur radio licenseYou must hold a current FCC-granted amateur radio license at Technician class or higher when you apply. Every ARRL Foundation applicant must be an active licensed operator.
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✓Mississippi residency preferenceARRL lists first preference for residents of Mississippi, followed by applicants from elsewhere in the ARRL Delta Division. Strong Mississippi ties help even when the fund is not strictly limited to one county.
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✓STEM or communications majorYour planned field of study should fall in electronics, communications, computer science, engineering, or a related discipline named on the live scholarship description.
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✓Accredited school in Mississippi or Delta DivisionPreference goes to students who will attend an accredited college, university, or technical school in Mississippi, then to schools within the ARRL Delta Division. Read the geographic table on arrl.org before you apply from an out-of-division campus.
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✓High school senior preferenceGraduating high school students receive preference in published criteria. College undergraduates may still apply when they meet the license and major rules.
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✓Complete Kaleidoscope packageSubmit the online ARRL Foundation application before the deadline with transcripts uploaded in the same session. ARRL will not review incomplete files or documents emailed afterward.
Benefits
- Cash scholarship $500 one-time
- Number of awards One Magnolia DX recipient per cycle
- Payment method Mailed to your school bursar
- Eligible expenses Applied to accredited college costs
- Renewal Not renewable
- Ham gear or exam fees Not included
Document checklist
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✓ARRL Foundation Kaleidoscope applicationSign in to the general ARRL scholarship program on apply.mykaleidoscope.com when the 2027 cycle opens. Select the Magnolia DX Association Scholarship and any other funds you genuinely qualify for in one submission.
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✓Official academic transcriptUpload a recent high school or college transcript covering your full record to date. Include every semester for which grades have posted if you are already in college.
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✓FCC license verificationEnter your call sign and license class accurately. Keep your ULS printout handy in case reviewers ask for confirmation of Technician status or higher.
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✓School and bursar contact detailsList the accredited institution that will receive funds if you win. ARRL mails checks to the school, not to your home address.
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✓FAFSA copy for high school applicantsARRL asks current high school students to upload FAFSA documentation when available. Check the live portal checklist each year for exact wording.
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✓Essay and activity responsesAnswer every open-ended prompt with specifics about your on-air activity, DX or club work, and academic plans. Generic essays weaken your file against other Delta Division operators.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Magnolia DX Association Scholarship?
It is a $500 undergraduate scholarship administered by the ARRL Foundation with support from the Magnolia DX Association. The fund backs licensed hams in Mississippi and the ARRL Delta Division who study technical fields tied to radio and communications.
Who is eligible for the Magnolia DX Association Scholarship?
You need an active FCC amateur license at Technician class or higher, a major in electronics, communications, computer science, engineering, or a related field, and plans to attend an accredited school. ARRL gives preference to Mississippi residents and Mississippi campuses, then to the wider Delta Division.
How much is the Magnolia DX Association scholarship worth?
The award pays $500 as a one-time scholarship. ARRL mails the check to your school rather than to your personal address.
When is the Magnolia DX Association Scholarship deadline?
ARRL Foundation scholarships historically close on February 1 each year. For the 2027-2028 academic year, expect the same deadline after the portal opens in late October 2026.
How do I apply for the Magnolia DX Association Scholarship?
File the unified ARRL Foundation application on Kaleidoscope linked from arrl.org/scholarship-program. Upload transcripts with the form and select the Magnolia DX Association Scholarship in your scholarship list.
Do I need a General-class ham license for the Magnolia DX award?
No. ARRL lists Technician class or higher for this fund. Higher license classes still qualify as long as your FCC record is active when you apply.
Can college sophomores apply for the Magnolia DX Association Scholarship?
Yes, though ARRL gives preference to graduating high school seniors. Undergraduates who meet the license, major, and geography rules should still submit a complete file.
When are Magnolia DX Association Scholarship winners announced?
ARRL notifies scholarship recipients in late spring after committee review, with award checks typically mailed to schools in July. Monitor the email on your Kaleidoscope account for updates.
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