The Army Women’s Foundation (AWF) recognizes the importance of education and the role it plays in personal, professional, and economic fulfillment. The Army Women’s Foundation Legacy Scholarship Program provides grants to women soldiers, past and present, and their lineal descendants to help them attain their educational goals. The AWF Legacy Scholarship Program offers financial support in four areas: Certificate Programs, Community College coursework, Undergraduate Degrees, and Graduate Degrees. Scholarships are awarded only for coursework from accredited institutions. Scholarships are based on merit, academic potential, personal essay, community service, letters of recommendation, and financial need.

  • Certificate Programs and Community College coursework scholarships are awarded for $1,000.
  • Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Program scholarships are awarded in the amounts of $2,500 and $3,000.

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education creates critical thinkers, increases science literacy, and enables the next generation of innovators.  According to the U. S. Department of Commerce, STEM occupations are growing at 17%, while other occupations are growing at 9.8%.  To keep up with this demand, the US Army Women’s Foundation offers STEM grants through our scholarship program.  Apply Today.

2022 application

ELIGIBILITY

  1. Applicant must be a woman who has served or is serving honorably in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard or the lineal descendant of a woman who has served or is serving honorably in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve or Army National Guard. Eligibility requirements are non-negotiable, and appropriate evidence of Army service must be provided (e.g. DD214, discharge papers, letter from commander, etc.)
  2. Certificate Program AWF Legacy Scholarships: Applicant must be a high school graduate with a 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) or GED and must be currently enrolled in or accepted into an accredited certificate granting institution.
  3. Community College AWF Legacy Scholarships: Applicant must be a high school graduate with a 2.5 Grade Point Average (GPA) or GED and must be currently accepted into or enrolled in an accredited community college.
  4. Undergraduate AWF Legacy Scholarships: Applicant must be currently enrolled at or accepted into an accredited college or university and have completed 30 credit hours of course work with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Credit hours must be completed prior to application deadline.
  5. Graduate Program AWF Legacy Scholarships: Applicant must have achieved an undergraduate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must be enrolled in or accepted into a Graduate level program — Masters or Doctoral.

AWARDS

Selection of the Legacy Scholarship recipient(s) are made by a Scholarship Committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation. Each scholarship category (certificate, community college, undergraduate, and graduate) will be evaluated and considered separately by the  Scholarship Committee who will also determine the number of scholarships awarded for each category and the amounts of each scholarship. Army women will be considered in one group and the lineal descendants of Army women will be considered in a separate group. In this way, peers will compete with their peers.

Legacy Scholarship recipients are eligible to compete in subsequent years and may receive a total of two awards in the Community College or Undergraduate Degree categories.  Awardees of the Certificate Program and Graduate Program are not eligible to compete again in these categories. For example, an Undergraduate category recipient awarded a scholarship in their sophomore year is eligible to compete again in their junior year.  An awardee in any category is eligible to compete in subsequent years in other categories and no more than three awards may be given to a single individual.

The scholarship funds may be used to assist with tuition, fees, books, and school documented room and board. Scholarships are awarded only to students attending accredited institutions. The funds will be sent to the academic institution for documented expenses and must be used in the academic year awarded. The academic year of the award begins the fall semester after the award announcement. These funds may not be used for prior academic expenses. If selected, AWF Legacy Scholarship recipients are to provide: a) a photograph and a statement for use in AWF publications, newsletter, website, social media, and marketing materials, etc. and b) follow-up information and feedback as to how the AWF scholarship assisted in their education for AWF research and marketing.

 

The M.M. Costello Scholarship

The M.M. Costello Scholarship, named after Department of the Army Civilian Nurse, Ms. M.M. Costello, R.N., is awarded each year to one recipient who meets the AWF’s stringent eligibility criteria and pursues a major in the healthcare field.

Established in 2019, with a grant from Army Veterans Gail and John Howell, the M.M. Costello Scholarship honors the memory and legacy of the Department of the Army Civilian Nurse, Ms. M. M. Costello.  Ms. Costello was John Howell’s early mentor while he was assigned as an Army Nurse Corps officer at Brooke Army Medical Center at Ft Sam Houston, TX. Ms. Costello was a dedicated nurse, who in John Howell’s words, “Taught him everything he needed to know to properly care for his patients.”

Ms. Costello started her career as a Cadet Nurse during WW II and then served as a Department of the Army Civilian nurse assigned to Brooke Army Medical Center.  Throughout her continuous service as a Department of the Army Civilian, Ms. Costello treated and provided outstanding care for Department of Defense patients and family members, while mentoring a generation of Army Nurses Corps officers.

Ever the professional, Ms. Costello selfishly volunteered to permanently serve on the evening shifts to give flexibility to other nursing staff members.  Knowledgeable, attentive, and exacting in her standards, Ms. Costello epitomized the professional nurse and served as a role model for numerous members of the Army Nurse Corps and civilian personnel. Civilian personnel such as Ms. Costello are the backbone and stabilizing force of our Army Medical Treatment facilities and this scholarship recognizes their service.

CRITERIA

All application materials, including online application form, essay, official transcript(s), two recommendations, proof of matriculation at designated accredited academic institution, as well as commander’s verification of active duty or qualified documentation of the sponsor or woman’s service (e.g. Dept. of Defense Form DD-214, Discharge Documents, Active Service Documents, etc.), must be submitted and postmarked by January 21, 2022.  Please follow the directions for the required materials to the letter, as in a recipe. List of Required materials:

  • Online Application – This form is required and must be submitted online. You may apply for only one scholarship.
2022 application
  • Commander’s verification of active duty or qualified documentation of the sponsor or woman’s service (e.g. Dept. of Defense Form DD-214, Discharge Documents, Active Service Documents, etc.)
  • An official transcript from the applicant’s college or university is required. For new applicants to a community college, high school transcripts or GED documentation must accompany the application. If applicant is attending a new school or program, proof of acceptance and/or enrollment must be provided.
  • Two letters of recommendation (on letterhead) with titles and contact information are required. One letter of recommendation MUST be from a school advisor, counselor, dean of students, professor, etc. If this letter is not included, selection for the scholarship will be in jeopardy.  Letters of recommendation MUST be addressed to the AWF Legacy Scholarship Committee and should demonstrate why a Legacy Scholarship should be awarded to the specific student. Letters of recommendation must be dated within the last 6 months of application submission. Using the same support letter from a previous Legacy application or for another program does not qualify.  Letters should be from an individual who can readily attest to your talents and/or military service, community service, etc. Examples include: academic personnel, military colleagues, community service personnel, etc.
  • A short essay (2 pages or less, typed, double-spaced) highlighting why the recipient should be considered for this scholarship. The essay MUST address future plans as related to the applicant’s selected program of study and MUST include pertinent information in assessing an applicant’s other areas to include community service, activities, and work experience. The applicant MUST also address specifically how the Army has impacted their life and/or goals. Please include a header in your essay with your name in it, and a footer with the following administrative information in it:  Scholarship type (Undergraduate, Graduate, Certificate Program, or Community College), School name, and Eligibility (Army woman or Child/grandchild of an Army woman). Click here to see a template containing header and footer information.

Additional Essay Recommendations:

  • The essay is VERY important and it is the applicant’s opportunity to introduce themselves to the committee. It must be grammatically correct and without spelling errors.
  • If an applicant is a prior recipient, that should be indicated in the essay.
  • The essay must be written for the specific year of the application.  (For example, a previous applicant may not use the same essay.)
  • Accomplishments and community service items do not necessarily have to be ongoing or within the past year; applicants may choose achievements and contributions within the past 3 years to support and clarify their plans for the future.

 

  • All materials must be labeled with the applicant’s name and postmarked by the deadline for consideration and selection.
  • Failure to comply with these directions could negatively affect the applicant’s chance of selection.
  • All materials should be sent directly to: USAWF Scholarship Committee P.O. Box 5030 Fort Lee, VA 23801 POSTMARK DEADLINE: January 21, 2022