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 –
- 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.)
- 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.
- 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.
