Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Diversity Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association

Overview
The Shrader Graduate Scholarship provides a $3,000 award to support graduate students pursuing STEM study that aligns with the AFCEA Educational Foundation’s mission. It is intended to assist students who require financial help to continue their graduate education.

Award use
Scholarship proceeds may only be applied toward tuition and course-related costs, such as required fees, textbooks, supplies, and necessary equipment.

Important timing note
Your anticipated graduation date must not fall within the same calendar year the scholarship is granted.

Eligibility (all criteria required)
Applicants must satisfy every item below; failure to meet any condition may disqualify the application.

- Be a U.S. citizen and reside in the United States.
- Be enrolled at the graduate level and have completed at least one semester of graduate study (i.e., be in at least the second semester of a graduate program).
- Be registered for at least two semester-equivalent courses at an accredited U.S. college or university at the time of application.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Be pursuing a qualifying STEM or “hard science” major that supports AFCEA’s focus on the defense, homeland security, and intelligence communities (examples include information technology, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and electronics).

Qualifying majors (examples)
The scholarship is intended for students in STEM and related technical fields, including but not limited to:
Aerospace Engineering; Astronomy; Biometry/Biometrics; Computer Engineering; Computer Forensics Science; Computer Programming; Computer Science; Computer Systems; Cybersecurity; Electrical Engineering; Electronics Engineering; Geospatial Science; Industrial Engineering; Information Science; Information Technology; Information Resource Management; Intelligence; Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering; Network Engineering; Network Security; Operations Research; Physics; Robotics Engineering; Robotics Technology; Statistics; Strategic Intelligence; Telecommunications Engineering.

Application requirements
Submit the following materials to be considered:

- A completed application form.
- Current official graduate transcript issued by your Registrar’s Office.
- Undergraduate transcript (official or unofficial accepted).
- If current coursework is not reflected on the transcript, include documentation of current registration/enrollment.
- Transcripts should be submitted electronically by your school to edfoundation@afcea.org.
- If electronic submission is not feasible, official paper documents must be mailed to the address provided in the application packet and must arrive by the stated deadline. Applications will be considered only when all required supporting documents are included.
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty members in your major field.
- Recommenders must email their letters as PDF files to edfoundation@afcea.org.
- Applicants are responsible for ensuring recommenders submit letters on time.
- A current résumé.

Submission reminders
Confirm that all items are included and that recommenders and your Registrar submit materials to edfoundation@afcea.org (or mail official documents to the address listed in the application materials if necessary) before the deadline.