The “Six Triple Eight” Legacy Scholarship

The U.S. Army Women’s Foundation is pleased to announce the “Six Triple Eight” scholarship in honor and recognition of the service of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.  This scholarship will be awarded annually based on merit, academic potential, personal essay, community service, letters of recommendation, and financial need.

The scholarship was established through the generosity of  U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame members and charter donors BG (Ret.) Clara Adams Ender, COL (Ret.) Edna W. Cummings and MSG (Ret.) Elizabeth Helm-Frazier.

SCHOLARSHIP HISTORY AND DETAILS

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Legacy Scholarship

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, nicknamed the “Six Triple Eight,” was an all-black Women’s Army Corps (WAC) battalion comprised of 855 women who deployed during WWII. Their mission was the unenviable but crucial task of sorting and routing millions of pieces of unprocessed mail that the Army could not get to the troops on the front lines. Despite the Army’s and society’s restrictions due to their gender and race, the 6888th excelled under the most challenging circumstances and solved the Army’s morale and mail crisis. On March 14, 2022, the 6888th received the nation’s highest civilian award, the Congressional Gold Medal, for their pioneering service, devotion to duty, and contributions to increasing the morale of all United States Army personnel. The 6888th’s service imparts lessons that are timeless, genderless, and boundless. These women were trailblazers— pioneers in a time when no one wanted them to be. This annual scholarship will help to ensure the service and memory of the 6888th members will never be forgotten.

Scholarship Award – One “Six Triple Eight” scholarship in the amount of $2500 will be awarded annually.

Use of Scholarships –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.

Basis of Award –Selection of the Six Triple Eight Legacy Scholarship will be made by a Scholarship Committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation. Each scholarship category (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.

Eligibility

  1. Applicants must meet the established criteria of the AWF Legacy Scholarship Program, including the requirements that applicants must be women who are serving or have served honorably in the U.S. Army – Active Component, Reserves, or Army National Guard; or be the lineal descendent (male or female) of an Army woman who has served in any component of the U.S. Army. Eligibility requirements are non-negotiable, and appropriate evidence of Army service must be provided (e.g., DD214 discharge papers, a letter from the commander, etc.)
  2. Undergraduate AWF Legacy Scholarships: Applicant must be 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 the application deadline.
  3. 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 — Master’s or Doctoral.

If Selected – 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.

Scholarship recipients are eligible to compete in subsequent years and may receive a total of two awards except for the Graduate Program.   Graduate Program recipients are only eligible for one scholarship and may not compete in subsequent years.

APPLICATION DETAILS

  • Online Application – This form is required and must be submitted online. You may apply for only one scholarship.
2025 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 the 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 including 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 or Graduate), 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 scholarship 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 three years to support and clarify their plans for the future.

Submission:

  • 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 Gregg-Adams, VA 23801 POSTMARK DEADLINE: January 21, 2025.

Questions can be addressed to scholarships@awfdn.org

TO DONATE TO THE 6888TH SCHOLARSHIP FUND

If you wish to make a donation to support the”Six Triple Eight” Legacy Scholarship Fund, you may do so by going to https://awfdn.square.site/,using the QR Code below, or mailing a check to US AWF, ATTN: 6888th Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 5030, Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia  23801.  Any questions can be addressed to scholarships@awfdn.org