Col. Kathleen Swacina Scholarship

Name: Col. Kathleen Swacina Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,500

Information and Eligibility:
The Col. Kathleen Swacina Scholarship has been established to honor the accomplishments of Col. Kathleen Swacina, USA (Ret.), and her affiliation with AFCEA. This scholarship recognizes a college student who has shown the potential to excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) studies and attends college full-time. It is funded by a generous donation from Col. Kathleen Swacina and Lt. Col. Daniel Swacina, USA (Ret.).

Col. Swacina has held numerous leadership positions within AFCEA at both the chapter and international levels. She has received several achievement awards for her service and is known for her contributions to the military and the information technology field. The scholarship is inspired by her determination to overcome adversity, including challenges such as dyslexia and ADHD, and her resilience in earning two master’s degrees, certifications, and significant leadership roles in the Army.

Eligibility criteria include:

• U.S. Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Military Affiliation: Applicants must be a member of the U.S. armed forces, enrolled in an ROTC program, an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. armed forces, or a direct descendant of an AFCEA member or an honorably discharged member of the armed forces.
• Enrollment Status: Must be enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited institution, including community colleges. Undergraduate students must be at the sophomore or junior level, and graduate students must have completed at least two courses.
• GPA: Students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.8.
• STEM Major: Students must major in a STEM-related area of study that supports AFCEA’s mission. AFCEA’s mission includes advancing the exchange of information in information technology, communications, and electronics for defense, homeland security, and intelligence communities.

Application Process

Applicants must submit the following documents as part of the application process:

• Online Application: The application form will include short-answer questions about educational and career plans, financial need, and challenges faced (e.g., personal, physical, psychological, educational challenges).
• Official Transcript: Submit an official transcript with completed courses and grades, including grades from the Fall semester.
• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be from a professor in the applicant’s STEM major field of study. Applicants should ensure their recommenders submit letters by the application deadline.
• Statement of Affiliation: A statement explaining how the applicant meets the criteria for military or AFCEA affiliation.

Deadline: Completed applications, including all supporting documentation, must be submitted by the posted deadline each year.

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