AFCEA War Veterans Scholarships: Undergraduate Only
Applications open January 1 - May 1, 2026!
The AFCEA Educational Foundation is committed to supporting the academic advancement of U.S. military personnel. Through a partnership with the AFCEA NOVA Chapter, this scholarship program provides meaningful financial assistance to those who have served our nation.
Merit-based scholarships of $2,500 will be awarded to:
- Active-duty members of the uniformed military services
- Honorably discharged U.S. veterans, including Reservists and National Guard personnel, who have deployed abroad in support of an Overseas Contingency Operation (Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Inherent Resolve, or Operation Freedom's Sentinel)
Recipients must be currently enrolled -- part time or full time -- in an undergraduate STEM degree program at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university. Eligible distance-learning or online programs affiliated with accredited U.S. institutions also qualify.
Scholarship funds are subject to availability and may be applied only to tuition and required course-related expenses, such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment necessary for university coursework.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet all the following criteria:
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Must be currently enrolled at an accredited four-year U.S. college or university.
- Must be a sophomore or junior at the time of application.
- Freshmen and seniors are not eligible.
- Students may not apply during the year they are graduating.
- May be enrolled part time or full time.
- Must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.
- Applicants must be pursuing an undergraduate major in a C4I-related STEM discipline aligned with AFCEA's mission.
- Qualifying majors include:
- Aerospace Engineering
- Astronomy
- Biometry/Biometrics
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Forensics Science
- Computer Programming
- Computer Science
- Computer Systems
- Cybersecurity
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronics Engineering
- Geospatial Science
- Industrial Engineering
- Information Science
- Information Technology
- Information Resource Management
- Intelligence
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Network Engineering
- Network Security
- Operations Research
- Physics
- Robotics Engineering
- Robotics Technology
- Statistics
- Strategic Intelligence
- Telecommunications Engineering
- Must have served in an Overseas Contingency Operations (2003-present).
- Applicants must provide a DD214 or Certificate of Service verifying deployment.
- Please remove SSN before submitting.
War Veteran Teacher Certification Program
Students actively pursuing a credential/licensure for the purpose of teaching science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) subjects at a U.S. elementary, middle/intermediate and high schools are eligible. Current credential and licensure students must have completed a bachelor’s of science degree.
Application Process
Applications must include the following materials:
- A completed application form
- At least two letters of recommendation from faculty members in your major field of study. If that is not possible, we will accept recommendations from commanding officers/employers in the related field of study.
- Recommenders must send their letters in pdf format via email to edfoundation@afcea.org
- Applicants are responsible for coordinating submission with their recommender
- DD214 or current service paperwork showing OCO service. Do not submit with SSN.
- Official transcript(s) reflecting all college-level coursework, including the Fall 2025 semester
- If coursework in progress is not listed, applicants must submit registration documentation showing current enrollment
- Transcripts must be submitted electronically through the applicant's school to edfoundation@afcea.org
- If electronic submission is not possible, official documents must be mailed to the address below no later than May 1, 2026. Applications must be complete and include all required supporting documentation.
AFCEA Educational Foundation
4114 Legato Road, Suite 1000
Fairfax, VA 22033
Optional Materials
Applicants may also include one additional letter of recommendation or a résumé to support their application.