USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Undergraduate Masters the USA

Michael R Ware NN3I Scholarship 2027 - $2,000

Deadline February 1, 2027 (expected; portal opens late October 2026) 135 days left · Hosted by ARRL Foundation · Published

The Michael R. Ware, NN3I, Scholarship 2027 supports STEM students in the mid-Atlantic and New England through the ARRL Foundation. One $2,000 award goes to a U.S. citizen who resides in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, or New England, holds General privileges for at least two years before applying or holds Amateur Extra class, maintains a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and can document financial need. Eligible study includes any fully accredited four-year college or university in the United States or graduate programs at those institutions. You file the shared Kaleidoscope application, upload transcripts with the form, and select Ware among funds you genuinely qualify for. The 2026 cycle is closed; for 2027-2028 study, expect late-October 2026 opening, February 1, 2027 deadline, June notification, and July payment to your bursar.

One award per year
$2,000
College or grad school
STEM
Expected deadline
1 Feb 2027
MD DE NJ NY NE
NE + Mid-Atl
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the Michael R Ware Scholarship?

Michael R. Ware, NN3I, put his call sign on an ARRL Foundation fund aimed at STEM students who already invested years in the General-class privileges. The $2,000 amount is modest next to full-tuition national prizes, but the geographic band from Maryland through New England is wide enough that serious engineering or computer science majors should know the rules cold.

Financial need is not a footnote here. ARRL expects documentation alongside your transcript and call sign, so treat the Ware checkbox like a need-based STEM grant bundled into the same February 1 packet as memorial funds and division awards. Extra-class operators skip the two-year General waiting period, which helps if you upgraded late in high school but still live in an eligible state.

Graduate students in qualifying labs can apply, not just undergraduates finishing a bachelor degree. Your essay should connect amateur radio projects to the STEM work you are funding, whether that is RF design, robotics, or cybersecurity research on campus nets.

Pair Ware with other ARRL geographic funds you genuinely match, such as the Harry A Hodges Scholarship if California preference fits your profile, or stack a non-ARRL STEM award like the AfterCollege Engineering & Technology Student Scholarship for another partial grant in the same winter window.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 6
  • ✓
    General license for two years or Extra class
    Hold a current General-class amateur license for at least two years before you submit the application, or hold a current Amateur Extra-class license when you apply. Technician-only tickets do not meet the Ware license rule.
  • ✓
    Residence in eligible states or New England
    Live in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, or New England as defined in ARRL scholarship materials. Applicants outside that footprint should choose a different geographic ARRL fund.
  • ✓
    STEM major or program
    Study science, technology, engineering, or mathematics at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university, or in a graduate program at such an institution.
  • ✓
    Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
    Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. ARRL reviewers use your transcript to confirm grades through your most recently completed term.
  • ✓
    U.S. citizenship
    You must be a citizen of the United States. ARRL states the award is made without regard to gender, race, national origin, or disability status among citizens.
  • ✓
    Documented financial need
    Provide proof of financial need as described in the live Kaleidoscope application. Gather FAFSA summaries or other accepted documents before the portal closes.
What you get

Benefits

  • Cash scholarship $2,000 one-time
  • Number of awards One Ware recipient per cycle
  • Payment method Mailed to your school bursar
  • Eligible study Accredited 4-year STEM programs
  • Renewal Not renewable
  • Living expenses beyond aid Not guaranteed
  • Cash scholarship $2,000 one-time
  • Eligible institutions Graduate programs at accredited 4-year schools
  • GPA requirement 3.0 cumulative minimum
  • License requirement General 2+ years or Extra
  • Renewal Not renewable
  • Research stipend Not included
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 6
  • ✓
    ARRL Foundation Kaleidoscope application
    Access the ARRL general scholarship program on apply.mykaleidoscope.com when the 2027 cycle opens. Select the Michael R. Ware, NN3I, Scholarship plus any other ARRL funds you qualify for in one file.
  • ✓
    Official academic transcript
    Upload high school or college transcripts covering your full record to date, including every semester for which grades have posted if you are already in college or graduate school.
  • ✓
    Financial need documentation
    Submit the proof of financial need ARRL requests inside Kaleidoscope. Incomplete need documentation can disqualify an otherwise strong STEM file.
  • ✓
    FCC license verification
    Enter your call sign and license class accurately and confirm your General grant date if you rely on the two-year General rule rather than Extra class.
  • ✓
    STEM program confirmation
    Be ready to show your major, department, or graduate field aligns with science, technology, engineering, or math as ARRL defines it on the scholarship descriptions page.
  • ✓
    Optional club officer letter
    Some ARRL scholarships require a recommendation from a sitting officer of an ARRL-affiliated club. Read the live Ware description each year; if no extra letter is listed, your transcript and need proof suffice.
Step by step

How to apply

Review arrl.org/scholarship-descriptions and verify you live in Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, or New England and pursue a qualifying STEM program.
Check ULS for your General grant date if you are not Extra class. Schedule an upgrade session early if you need Extra before February 1, 2027.
Collect FAFSA Student Aid Summary pages or other documents ARRL lists in Kaleidoscope so need verification does not delay submission.
Order PDF transcripts from your registrar or high school office. ARRL rejects applications missing transcripts uploaded with the initial package.
Use the application link from arrl.org/scholarship-program when it opens. Answer every prompt and check Ware only if geography, STEM major, GPA, and need proof align.
Upload all documents inside the portal and submit at least one day early. Late files are not reviewed.
Recipients are typically notified in June with checks mailed to schools in July. Monitor your Kaleidoscope email through early summer.
When

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline
February 1, 2027 (expected; portal opens late October 2026)
135 days left
Oct 2026
ARRL Foundation portal expected to open for the 2027 scholarship cycle.
Nov - Jan 2027
Applicants finalize STEM transcripts, need documentation, and license upgrade plans before the annual February close.
1 Feb 2027
Expected deadline for completed ARRL Foundation applications, including the Michael R. Ware, NN3I, Scholarship.
Spring 2027
Committee reviews eligibility, financial need, and academic records across all named funds.
Jun 2027
Ware and other recipients notified through Kaleidoscope.
Jul 2027
Award checks mailed to accredited schools for the upcoming term.
Questions

FAQ

What is the Michael R Ware NN3I Scholarship?

It is a $2,000 ARRL Foundation scholarship honoring Michael R. Ware, NN3I. The fund helps licensed amateurs in selected mid-Atlantic and New England states pay for STEM study at accredited four-year colleges or graduate programs.

Which states qualify for the Ware scholarship?

ARRL limits the Ware fund to residents of Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, or New England. Check the scholarship descriptions page for how ARRL defines New England when counties or sections are updated.

What license do I need for the Ware scholarship?

You need a General-class license held at least two years before you apply, or a current Amateur Extra-class license. Technician-only operators must upgrade before the deadline.

Does the Ware scholarship require financial need?

Yes. ARRL requires proof of financial need in addition to the 3.0 GPA, STEM major, and geographic rules. Gather acceptable need documents before you submit Kaleidoscope.

Can graduate students apply for the Ware scholarship?

Yes. ARRL allows fully accredited four-year colleges and graduate programs at those institutions. You still need the license tenure rule, 3.0 GPA, STEM field, residency, citizenship, and need documentation.

How much is the Michael R Ware scholarship?

The award pays $2,000 as a one-time scholarship mailed to your school bursar, not to your home address.

When is the Michael R Ware scholarship deadline?

ARRL Foundation scholarships historically close on February 1 each year. For 2027-2028 study, expect the portal to open in late October 2026 and close February 1, 2027.

When are Ware scholarship winners announced?

ARRL typically notifies recipients in June after committee review, with checks mailed in July. Watch the email tied to your Kaleidoscope account.

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Always verify scholarship details on the official source before applying. Information on this page may change.

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