Application Deadline Update:

The Ben DeFelice, CIRA and Horizon Scholarship applications are open October 15, 2024 – January 15, 2025, 11:59PM. Since its inception in 2005, Northwest Federal Credit Union Foundation has awarded over $2 million to more than 400 scholarship award recipients.

Ben DeFelice Scholarship Program Rules

The Ben DeFelice Scholarship pays tribute to Mr. DeFelice, NWFCU’s longest running Chairman of the Board (31 years) and nine-year veteran of the Board of NWFCU’s subsidiary, Northwest Financial Advisors. Mr. DeFelice exemplified leadership and commitment in school, at home, and in the community.

• Applicant must be a member of the credit union for at least a year OR have a parent/grandparent who has been a member of the credit union for at least one year AND open an account if selected to receive scholarship.
• Applicant must be currently enrolled (graduating in Spring 2025) or have graduated within the last year from high school.
• Applicant must be a current high school senior, college freshman, or spring 2024 high school graduate (or equivalent) currently participating in a gap year (a year-long break from formal education, taken after high school completion). 
• Applicant must plan to attend a qualifying education program as a full-time student to a: two-year, four year or vocational school program for Fall of 2025. Master’s education and above do not qualify for scholarship opportunity. 
• Students who are receiving a full-ride scholarship do not qualify.
• Scholarship funds must be applied to education program (two-year, four year or vocational school program) the fall semester of the given scholarship year. 
  • Recipient forgoes their scholarship funding if not used in the required timeframe.
• Applicant cannot be a past awardee of any NWFCU Foundation, OSINT, or CIRA scholarship.
• Award recipient will open an account with NWFCU if not already a member.
• Applicant must agree to submit transcripts and acceptance and/or enrollment letter, upon request.
• Applicant may not be an employee or immediate family member of an employee of NWFCU, the Foundation or its Board, or related to directors, associate directors and/or committee members of the Board of Directors, NWFCU or its subsidiaries and affiliates.

If awarded, scholarship funds will be deposited directly with the student’s accredited school.

CIRA Scholarship Rules

The Central Intelligence Retirees Association (CIRA) is comprised of current and former CIA employees and contractors who recognize the sacrifices made by Agency employees and their families. In 2007, the CIA partnered with the NWFCU Foundation to create the CIRA Scholarship Program to reduce the barriers of the children and grandchildren of current and former CIA employees to furthering their education. The CIA believes that investing CIRA funds in education is in line with the spirit of continuing interest in the development and well-being of the Agency and its people. 

Program Rules: 

CIRA Scholarship applicants must be: 

• The child or grandchild of a current or former CIA employee 
• Applicant must be a member of Northwest Federal Credit Union for at least a year OR have a parent/grandparent who has been a member of the credit union for at least one year AND open an account if selected to receive scholarship.
• Plan to attend or have been accepted into a full-time associate or undergraduate degree program for the 2025-2026 school year.
• Agree to submit transcripts and acceptance and/or enrollment letter if selected as a finalist. 
• Apply the funds to associate or undergraduate education for the 2025-2026 school year. Recipient forgoes their scholarship funding if not used in the required timeframe.
• If awarded, scholarship funds will be deposited directly with the student’s accredited school. 

The number of applications that can be accepted is capped at 125 due to cost and application review resources—we usually receive fewer than 125 applications.  Please submit your application as soon as possible to ensure that your application can be accepted for review in the event demand is higher than average. Once 125 applications are received you will no longer be able to submit an application. 

Horizon Scholarship Program Rules

The Horizon Scholarship Program is a high school and undergraduate scholarship opportunity for applicants who clearly demonstrate financial need and articulate a strong example of overcoming adversity through their application. 

• Applicant clearly demonstrates financial need and articulates example(s) of overcoming obstacles/adversity. 
• High School applicants must be currently enrolled (graduating in Spring 2025) or have graduated within the last year from one of the listed high schools close to a NWFCU branch, OR a participant in one of the Foundation’s 2024-2025 nonprofit partners - Second Story, She Believes in Me, or Genesys Works (National Capital Area)
  • Click here for a list of eligible schools (see below for link and updated list; please have this link open in a new page and not redirect)
• Applicant must be a current high school senior, college freshman or spring 2024 high school graduate (or equivalent) currently participating in a gap year (a year-long break from formal education, taken after high school completion). 
• Applicant must plan to attend a qualifying education program as a full-time student to a: two-year, four year or vocational school program for Fall of 2025. Master’s education and above do not qualify for scholarship opportunity. 
• Students who are receiving a full-ride scholarship do not qualify.
• Scholarship funds must be applied to education program (two-year, four year or vocational school program) the Fall semester of 2025. 
  • Recipient forgoes their scholarship funding if not used in the required timeframe.
• Applicant cannot be a past awardee of any NWFCU Foundation, OSINT, or CIRA scholarship. 
• Award recipient agrees to open an account with NWFCU if not already a member.
• Applicant may not be an employee or immediate family member of an employee of NWFCU, the Foundation or its Board or related to directors, associate directors and/or committee members of the Board of Directors, NWFCU or its subsidiaries and affiliates.

If awarded, scholarship funds will be deposited directly with the student’s accredited school. 

Questions? Contact us.

Phone: (703) 709-8900, ex. 4899

Email: scholarship@nwfcu.org

Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM ET