Funding may pose a significant obstacle to an academic and professional development of graduate students where it comes to obtaining advanced degrees in STEM fields. The Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship is an esteemed award that goes beyond offering financial aid to students, as it also acknowledges those students who are dedicated to pursuing a career in accordance with the national security, technology, and innovation.
It has been offered by the AFCEA Educational Foundation, this scholarship enables high achieving U.S. graduate students who exhibit academic excellence, leadership potential and career objectives that are consistent with the mission of AFCEA.
Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship Overview
| Scholarship Name | Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship |
|---|---|
| Scholarship Amount | $3,000 |
| Application Deadline | May 01, 2026 |
| Number of Awards | Varies |
| Study Level | Graduate |
| Study Mode | Full-Time |
| Location | United States |
| Eligible Majors | STEM fields aligned with AFCEA mission |
| Official Website | AFCEA Educational Foundation |
Scholarship Amount and Benefits
The students will be selected to be provided with a scholarship in the amount of $3,000 that can be utilized to meet the necessary academic costs, including:
- Tuition and mandatory academic fees
- Books and course materials
- Supplies and equipment required for coursework
This is a scholarship that is aimed at alleviating financial pressures so that students can be able to concentrate on their academic and career growth.
Eligibility Criteria for Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship
In order to qualify under this scholarship, the applicants must fulfil the following criteria:
Citizenship and Residency
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be living in the United States at the time of application
Academic Requirements
- Enrolled as a full-time graduate student
- Must be in at least the second semester of graduate study
- Enrolled in two or more semester-equivalent courses
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Expected graduation year cannot be the same year the scholarship is awarded
Eligible Fields of Study
The applicants also need to be enrolled in a graduate degree in a STEM-related major that further develops the mission of AFCEA such as but not limited to:
- Computer Science
- Cybersecurity
- Network Security
- Electrical Engineering
- Telecommunications Engineering
- Aerospace Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mathematics
- Astronomy
There are other related rather closely STEM fields of study.
Required Documents
In the process of processing the applications, the applicants are required to send the following documents:
- Official graduate transcript from the Registrar’s Office
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty members in the applicant’s major field
- Current résumé
- Undergraduate transcript (official or unofficial)
- Proof of current classes in progress, if not shown on the transcript
Applicants are also free to provide a third letter of recommendation with their application to reinforce their application.
Personal Statement and Work Experience Requirement
Applicants will be required to answer short written responses that contain:
- A brief synopsis of relevant work experience
- A personal statement outlining future career goals
- Explanation of how academic and career goals align with the mission of the AFCEA Educational Foundation
- A summary of financial need
Such responses are vital in the selection process because AFCEA attaches importance to the academic merit as well as the mission alignment.
How to Apply for the Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship
Follow these steps to apply successfully:
- Visit the official AFCEA scholarship page
- Complete the online application form with accurate personal and academic details
- Upload all required documents
- Submit letters of recommendation before the deadline
- Ensure all materials are received on or before May 01, 2026
In case, the system does not accept electronic transcripts, it is up to the applicant to send official documents via mail at the AFCEA address that is posted on the official web site, but before the deadline.
Official Scholarship Link
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, apply only through the official website:
Official Website:
https://www.afcea.org/shrader-graduate-scholarship
Final Thoughts
The Ralph W. Shrader Graduate Scholarship can be discussed as a great chance of the academic high-achieving graduate students in STEM-related spheres because of their desire to work in the field of technology, defense, cybersecurity, and national security. This is a competitive GPA award with a high degree of career orientation; thus the scholarship recognizes students who not only excel academically, but also have a vision and mission.
At ScholarshipInfoz.com we fully believe in assisting students get clear, credible, and career altering scholarships such as this one- so that you can invest in your own tomorrow with any amount of certainty.
