A Future in STEM, Thanks to War Veterans Scholarship

AFCEA’s commitment to supporting both STEM education and military personnel comes together in the AFCEA War Veterans Scholarship. Biannual merit-based $2,500 scholarships are awarded to active-duty service members and honorably discharged veterans of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan who are enrolled in undergraduate courses in command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) fields.

The scholarship is facilitated by the AFCEA Educational Foundation in partnership with AFCEA’s Northern Virginia Chapter. Applications are due in March and November.

AFCEA scholarships recognize outstanding students who are tomorrow’s leaders in cybersecurity, intelligence, communications, electronics and technology.

Last year’s recipients described in their own words what receiving a War Veterans Scholarship meant to them and how it has affected their education and career development.

“Winning this scholarship has given me the assistance I need to help pay for my education and bring me closer to achieving my overall goal of a degree in cybersecurity,” says Staff Sgt. Jenna Saenz, USAF, American Military University. “Receiving the scholarship is not just receiving money for me; it tells me I am seen as having potential for the future of our society. I am extremely grateful for this scholarship and excited to contribute to the STEM field.”

Staff Sgt. Matthew Rayburn, USA, Bellevue University, has similar sentiments. “It is my belief that STEM majors are helping shape the future, and now because of this scholarship I am one step closer to attaining my degree. Pursuing this degree has benefited me in my current career and will continue to be an asset whenever I transition out of the military. I cannot thank AFCEA enough.”

Applications for the fall War Veterans Scholarship open August 13 at www.afcea.org/site/foundation/scholarships/war-veterans. The deadline for submission is November 16.