MEMORANDUM FOR 2026 AUSA EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS

SUBJECT:  Announcement of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Sunshine Chapter 2026 Educational Scholarship Program

1.  General.  The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Sunshine Chapter is pleased to announce the 2026 Educational Scholarship Competition.  The AUSA Sunshine Chapter will provide up to $5,000 in Educational Scholarship Funds to one or more eligible AUSA Sunshine Chapter members.  The AUSA Sunshine Chapter Educational Scholarship Program is not a military recruiting initiative and acceptance of an AUSA Sunshine Chapter Scholarship does not cause a military service obligation.

2.  Eligibility.  Applicants must meet the following criteria:

a.  Be a member of the AUSA Sunshine Chapter or a legal dependent of an AUSA Sunshine Chapter Member (to apply for AUSA membership, visit: www.ausa.org.  During the AUSA application process, be sure to specify your chapter affiliation as “Sunshine”).

b.  Be enrolled in an accredited, degree-producing college or university/trade school or accepted and planning to attend an accredited, degree-producing college or university/trade school for the Fall 2026 term.

c.  Be enrolled in the equivalent of 12 semester hours or 9 quarter hours. 

3.  Application.  Applicants must submit the following:

a.  Completed application form (attached below)

b.  Resume not exceeding two pages in bullet format describing the applicant’s career goals, involvement in community civic organizations, sports, leadership positions, extracurricular activities, or religious and volunteer organizations.  The intent of the resume is to give evaluators a complete representation of the applicant.

c.  High school or college original transcripts indicating current grade point average.

d.  Essay question (not to exceed two pages double-spaced):  On January 20, 1961, JFK said, "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."  Describe a personal experience you have had which you feel has contributed to your own character development and integrity and how it will benefit our country. 

4.  Submission.  Submit applications to:

AUSA Sunshine Chapter

PO BOX 780004

Orlando, FL 32878

dawsondebi3@gmail.com

5.  Selection Committee/Criteria.  A committee of 3-5 evaluators selected by the AUSA Sunshine Chapter President will review scholarship applications using a holistic approach.  While grades are important and form the core of the selection criteria, the selection committee will evaluate other activities to help form a picture of the whole person.  The selection committee will use a point system to recommend one or more awards based on the following criteria:

a.  Grade Point Average 40 Points possible

b.  Resume 30 Points possible (Will be graded based upon the SAL scale. 10 points per Scholar, Athlete, Leader)

c.  Essay 30 Points possible

6.  Scholarship Timeline.

Applications Due February 20, 2026

Scholarship Award Banquet:  TBD in April

7.  Point of Contact.  For additional information, contact Debra Dawson, email: dawsondebi3@gmail.com

Debra Dawson

Scholarship Coordinator

AUSA Sunshine Chapter

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ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY (AUSA) SUNSHINE CHAPTER

EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Personal Information:  (All information is required)

Name:_____________________________________________________________________

Sponsor (if dependent): _______________________________________________________

AUSA Membership No.:______________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________________________

Phone and Email Address:____________________________________________________

Educational Institution:______________________________________________________

Current Enrollment Status:  Class standing (HS Senior, College Freshman, etc.) and number of planned credit hours for Fall 2026_______________________________________________

Essay:  Provide a typed, double-spaced essay, length not to exceed two pages.
On January 20, 1961, JFK said, "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."  Describe a personal experience you have had which you feel has contributed to your own character development and integrity and how it will benefit our country. 

Transcripts:  Provide High School or College original transcripts indicating courses taken, grades, and current grade point average (GPA).

Resume:  Provide a resume, not to exceed two pages, in bullet format describing the applicant’s career goals, involvement in community civic organizations, sports, leadership positions, extracurricular activities, or religious and volunteer organizations.  The intent of the resume is to give evaluators a complete representation of the applicant.

Application Submission:  Mail application package to:

AUSA Sunshine Chapter

PO BOX 780004

Orlando, FL 32878

Notification:  Applicants will be notified of the award determination by mail or email.  Application packages will not be returned.