DAYTON-WRIGHT AFCEA EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH, SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS

Education is an AFCEA core value. The Dayton–Wright Chapter of AFCEA, in partnership with the AFCEA Educational Foundation, presents an average of $35,000 annually in scholarships, grants, and awards to students and teachers in K-12 science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and Cyber related programs, ROTC programs, traditional university degree programs, professional development and other educational areas. The following are some of the many ways the Dayton-Wright AFCEA Chapter supports the community and ways qualified candidates can apply for them.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

General Janet C. Wolfenbarger Scholarship

The General Janet C. Wolfenbarger scholarship was established in recognition of the general’s life-long contributions to the United States and the U.S. Air Force. A true STEM champion, exceptional leader, and graduate of Beavercreek High School, this scholarship is designed to honor General Wolfenbarger's legacy by being awarded to a local student with leadership and community service qualities seeking to further their education in a STEM related field. As the General was the first woman to achieve the rank of four-star general in the Air Force, preferences will be given to female students with an association (parent or guardian of a civilian employee, military or contractor) of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and/or that attended or are attending Beavercreek High School. Candidates must be a US citizen, seeking a STEM-related degree from an accredited secondary institution, exhibit strong leadership skills, demonstrated community service/involvement, and have maintained an overall GPA of at least 3.3 in high school or college. Awardees will receive a $1000 scholarship. Go to the Dayton-Wright AFCEA Chapter Janet C. Wolfenbarger Scholarship Application page to apply.  Applications are due June 1st.

Daniel J. Curtis Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Daniel J. Curtis Memorial Scholarship was established to celebrate the significant volunteer contributions Dan Curtis made to the Dayton-Wright AFCEA Chapter and his strong advocacy of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base community.  Dan’s service to the Dayton area started in high school when he was elected class president of Wayne High School.  Leveraging his patriotic passion and Political Science education, Dan became a legislative aide and an executive assistant in the Ohio House early in his career.  Dan served 16 years with the U.S. Air Force and 32 years working with various private sector, nonprofit and governmental organizations to improve his community and the nation. Dan was an active member of the Dayton-Wright AFCEA chapter serving in various capacities including Chapter President.  The Chapter honors his legacy by awarding a scholarship in his name to a student who has shown a desire to serve their community. Preferences will be given to students that attended or are attending Wayne High School. Candidates must be a US citizen, have demonstrated community service and involvement, exhibit leadership skills, and have maintained an overall GPA of at least 3.3 in high school or college. Awardees will receive a $1000 scholarship. Go to the Daniel J. Curtis Memorial Scholarship Application page to apply. Applications are due June 1st.

CyberPatriot Scholarship

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other STEM disciplines critical to our nation's future. ​At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation's largest cyber defense competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks. The Dayton-Wright AFCEA chapter honors previous participants of the CyberPatriot program by offering a scholarship to a local student who has participated in the CyberPatriot competition at the high school level and has shown a desire to pursue a STEM related career fields. Awardees will receive a $1000 scholarship. Go to the CyberPatriot Scholarship Application page to apply. Applications are due June 1st.

Undergraduate Scholarships

The Dayton-Wright AFCEA chapter awards multiple $1000 scholarships annually to local Miami Valley college and university students studying STEM related subjects. Candidates must be US citizens, currently enrolled in and completed at least 12 credit hours at a local accredited college or university and be pursing a STEM related major.  Preferences are given to members or dependents of an AFCEA member and to students who demonstrate a financial need. Each awardee will receive a $1000 scholarship. Go to the Undergraduate Scholarships Application page to apply. Applications are due June 1st.

ROTC Scholarships

The Dayton-Wright AFCEA chapter provides funding to the Wright State University Air Force ROTC Detachment 643rd to distribute scholarships to qualifying cadets enrolled in the ROTC program in Miami Valley Universities.  Qualifying candidates must be a US citizen, have a cumulative GPA or 2.5 or higher, are in the Top 50% of their class, and have a demonstrated financial need. Typical candidates are enrolled in a local accredited college or university pursing a STEM related major and/or Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC).  For more information, contact us at education.dwafcea@gmail.com.

K-12 Programs and Outreach

K-12 STEM Teacher Grants

Competitive-based grants are available to K-12 teachers or education leaders seeking support for the purchase of tools, equipment and/or educational materials for the purpose of teaching STEM subjects at United States K-12 public or charter schools, or non-profit educational organization serving K-12 aged children. The application form can be found here: K-12 STEM Teacher Grants Application.

Dayton Regional STEM School Teacher Grants

Competitive-based grants are available to the Dayton Regional STEM School (DRSS) for the purchase of tools, equipment and/or educational materials. One of 10 public STEM schools being created across Ohio, the DRSS offers students a relevant, real world educational experience which will prepare them for college and opportunities in the work world. The Dayton-Wright AFCEA Chapter regularly supports a number of educational initiatives at the DRSS, including technical support, grants and scholarships to students. The application form can be found here: Dayton Regional STEM School Teacher Grant Application.

CyberPatriot Team Support Grants

CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other STEM disciplines critical to our nation's future. ​At the core of the program is the National Youth Cyber Defense Competition, the nation's largest cyber defense competition that puts high school and middle school students in charge of securing virtual networks. To learn more about the CyberPatriot program, click here: CyberPatriot Program.

Competitive-based grants are available to K-12 schools or organizations seeking support for the purchase of tools, equipment and/or educational materials for the purpose of competing in the US CyberPatriot Competition. Awards will be made to United States K-12 public or charter schools, or non-profit educational organization serving K-12 aged children. Determination of award will be based on the proposed application of the funds, and the financial needs of the requesting team and/or organization. The application form can be found here: CyberPatriot Team Support Grant Application.

Robotics Challenge

The Dayton-Wright AFCEA Chapter hosts Robotics Challenges for area students in Grades 4-6 at the National Museum of the Air Force. Approximately 8 teams from Miami Valley schools can participate in each challenge day.  On competition day, each team will be given a NodeBot kit to assemble. The wireless or wired NodeBots will be programmed by the team. NodeBots will be pre-programmed with some basic controls. Team coaches and mentors will provide each team advice and encouragement to program the NodeBots to be operational. Teams will then upgrade their NodeBots for sophistication and competition dominance.Finally, the teams will be ready for the “Robotics Challenge” and test their NodeBots against their opponents to determine the ultimate champion. For more information or to submit your team for a challenge day, contact us at education.dwafcea@gmail.com.

Wright-Patterson Educational Outreach Office

The Dayton-Wright AFCEA chapter annually budgets a designated amount to assist the Education Outreach Office located within Wright-Patterson Air Force Base to assist them with funding projects and programs not covered in the funds they receive from the Department of Defense. For more information about their programs, check out the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Educational Outreach Office.

Military Assistance and Professional Development

Military Tuition Assistance and Book Fee Reimbursement

The Dayton-Wright AFCEA chapter supports junior military members (E1-E-6 or O1-O3) and civilians GS-11 equivalent or below with tuition assistance and 100% cost matching for the purchase of books.

To submit reimbursement requests, please click here.

For more information, contact us at education.dwafcea@gmail.com.

Professional Certification Training

The Dayton-Wright AFCEA chapter is now offering professional certification training courses!  Courses are hand-picked to serve the members of the Dayton-Wright chapter and often include a voucher to take the certification exam.  Courses are typically at or below market value and are offered on-site locally or virtually.  The chapter is targeting to host up to three courses a year.  To see the current course offering, navigate to the Events tab and select "Training Opportunities" or contact us at education.dwafcea@gmail.com.

Are you a Junior Military Member (E-1 to E-6 or O-1 to O-3) or Civilian GS-11 equivalent or below?  The Dayton-Wright AFCEA Chapter will reimburse 50% of the cost of training and a test voucher (upon successful completion of certification exam) for Professional Certifications related to Information Technology and/or Cyber related fields.  Funds are available on a first come, first serve basis. 

To learn more, contact us at education.dwafcea@gmail.com.

The AFCEA Professional Development Center (PDC)

The PDC complements the Association's educational efforts by providing a wide-ranging program of continuing education and technical training courses. Discounted rates are offered for members. For more information, contact us at education.dwafcea@gmail.com.