Awards & Scholarships

Eligibility:

Must be a high school senior from a local school within the Hill AFB community area.
Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) as verified by an official transcript.
Essay Requirement:

Submit a 250-500 word essay (12-point Times New Roman font) on **ONE** of the following topics:

Challenges: Describe a significant obstacle you have faced during your academic journey and how you demonstrated resilience and leadership to overcome it.

Future Goals: Explain why you are pursuing higher education and how you plan to use it to make a positive impact on your community or future career.

Leadership and Education: Share how your high school experience has shaped your leadership skills and how you plan to inspire others to pursue their education.

Additional Documents:

A letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or mentor highlighting your leadership qualities and academic achievements.
A copy of your official high school transcript (sealed or certified).
Community Service: Provide a brief summary (no more than 200 words) of your involvement in community service or extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership or a commitment to service.

Scholarship Agreement:

By submitting an application, you agree to allow your essay and content to be shared via AFSA Chapter 1163 and/or HQ AFSA communication forums.
Applicants will provide a narrative about themselves and photo to the First Command Educational Foundation (FCEF) within the 30 days of the scholarship award. Recipient also gives consents to FCEF to publish information about their scholarship recipients.
Recipients need to take the FCEF Financial Readiness for Youth Adult course. A link will be provided to the member.

**Grading Criteria**

Submissions will be reviewed by a **three-member panel** and graded based on:

1. Grammar, sentence structure, and overall formatting.

2. Ability to convey a compelling story with clarity.

3. Passion and alignment with the purpose of the scholarship.

Submission Details

Deadlines: April 30, 2026

**Publication Agreement:**

By submitting an entry, participants agree to the potential publication of their content via AFSA Chapter 1163 and/or HQ AFSA communication channels.

Key Takeaway:

This scholarship reflects the Air Force's commitment to education, leadership, and resilience, empowering members to thrive in their academic and professional pursuits. It honors the legacy of International AFSA President, CMSgt (Ret.) Kerry Wright, whose dedication to service, education, and the professional development of Air Force members exemplifies the warrior ethos. By investing in future leaders, this scholarship continues his vision of strengthening the Air Force community through education and leadership.