Army Women's Foundation Legacy Scholarship 2026 – Honoring Service. Empowering Futures.

Scholarship Description

The Army Women's Foundation Legacy Scholarship honors the strength and contributions of women who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Army. The program provides financial support to women soldiers, past and present, and their lineal descendants to help them attain their educational goals.

The U.S. Army Women's Foundation is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization originally established in 1969. Its mission is to promote public interest in the Army and the women who serve in the Army through programs, research, and scholarships. The Legacy Scholarship Program offers financial support across four areas: Certificate programs, Community College coursework, Undergraduate Degrees, and Graduate Degrees.

Scholarship Location

The scholarship is open to students attending accredited colleges and universities across the United States. The Foundation is based in Fort Lee, Virginia.

Scholarship Deadline

Applications for the Legacy Scholarship must be submitted by January 21, 2026.

Host Organization

The U.S. Army Women's Foundation (USAWF) is the premier center for educational excellence, the national network for today's Army women, and a dynamic advocate for telling the history of Army women. The Foundation supports the U.S. Army Women's Museum located at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia.

Level and Fields of Study

Levels: Certificate programs, Community College coursework, Undergraduate Degrees, and Graduate Degrees (Master's and Doctoral).

Fields: All fields of study are eligible. The scholarship supports educational goals across any discipline.

Target Group

The Legacy Scholarship targets women who have served or are serving honorably in the U.S. Army, U.S. Army Reserve, or Army National Guard, as well as lineal descendants (children) of women who served honorably. The Foundation aims to recognize the importance of education and the role it plays in personal, professional, and economic fulfillment.

Scholarship Amount

Award Amount: Up to $2,500 per award. The amount varies based on available funding and number of recipients.

Number of Awards: Varies each year. The program has grown from awarding two scholarships in its first year to thirty-eight in recent years.

Scholarship Criteria: Awards are based on a combination of:

• Merit – academic achievement and potential
• Academic potential – demonstrated ability to succeed
• Community service – commitment to serving others
• Financial need – as determined by the FAFSA (not a requirement but considered)

Scholarship Eligibility

Essential criteria:

• 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 a lineal descendant (child) of a woman who served honorably.
• Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens.
• Enrollment: Must be currently enrolled at an accredited college or university for undergraduate scholarships, or accepted into a graduate program for graduate scholarships.
• Credit hours: For undergraduate applicants, must have completed 30 credit hours of coursework.
• GPA requirements:
  • High school GPA: Minimum 2.5
  • Undergraduate GPA: Minimum 3.0
  • Graduate GPA: Minimum 3.0
• Enrollment status: Half-time or full-time enrollment.

Application Procedure

1. Check eligibility – Ensure you meet all requirements: Army service or lineal descendant status, GPA minimums, and enrollment criteria.
2. Visit the official website – Go to www.awfdn.org/scholarships/general-information/ to access the online application.
3. Complete the online application form – The application is submitted online. Only one application is needed to apply for all applicable scholarships.
4. Prepare supporting documents – Gather the following:
   • Official transcripts – from all prior educational institutions
   • Proof of service – Commander's verification of active duty or documentation of past service (e.g., DD-214, discharge documents)
   • Two letters of recommendation – from individuals who can attest to your talents, service, or community involvement
   • Essay – 2 pages or less, double-spaced, highlighting why you should be considered for the scholarship
5. Submit by the deadline – All application materials must be submitted by January 21, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
6. Selection process – The Scholarship Committee reviews applications and selects recipients based on merit, academic potential, community service, and need.

Important notes: Applications are filtered based on eligibility. The Foundation now accepts applications for the 2026-2027 school year. For questions, contact the AWF Scholarship Committee at [email protected] or call (804) 734-3078.

Official Website & Application Links

Army Women's Foundation – Legacy Scholarship Official Page

Contact Email: [email protected]

Phone: (804) 734-3078

Address: P.O. Box 5030, Fort Lee, VA 23801