TO:                  High School Guidance Counselors in the Greater Washington, DC Region

FROM:             AFCEA NOVA Scholarship Committee 

SUBJECT:       Announcing Scholarships for Students Studying Technology/Math/Science

The Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association of Northern Virginia (AFCEA NOVA) annually awards a significant number of merit-based scholarship grants to qualified students who are pursuing degrees or advanced training in various technical fields such as:

• Information Technology / Computer Science / Systems
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Pure Natural/Physical sciences
• And other technology-related fields supportive of our National Security.

All students who are permanent residents of the Greater Washington area are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Through this program, the Board and members of AFCEA NOVA hope to encourage bright, motivated students to apply their skills and knowledge to the challenges that America will face in the future.  Indeed this has always been the key to our success as a Nation.  Likewise we hope to directly strengthen the talent pool of knowledge workers available to the local defense community.  Through this award we encourage our scholarship recipients to explore careers in government or military service, and/or to consider employment in one of the private companies working alongside the military/government agencies to protect our national freedom.  To that end, we hope applicants stay engaged with AFCEA throughout their educational career, and we hope to present other opportunities for learning and mentoring along the way to our scholarship recipients.  As an example, AFCEA NOVA is in the early stages of planning an internship program to further augment the experience of our winners.

The scholarship awards may be used at any accredited college or university within the United States.  Membership in AFCEA is not necessary to be considered for a scholarship, however, while the scholarship is largely a merit-based award, financial need and past/current military/govt service may be factors considered in the final decisions. Recommendations and transcripts are required.

AFCEA NOVA Scholars receive a one-time $4,000 scholarship award if they are full-time students; a $2,000 scholarship if they are part-time students.  The application process will open on November 15, 2009, and applications must be complete by February 15, 2010.  The application is an online application, with additional information (transcripts and letters of recommendation) to be sent in by fax or mail.  For details and to view/begin the application, please direct your students to: http://www.afceanova.org/scholarships.

For further information, please contact the Scholarship Chair, Linda Bunton - scholarships@afceanova.org.