Scholarship FAQs

The following are answers to Frequently Asked Questions we receive about the Foundation's Scholarship Program.
For additional information, contact the Foundation Office at (703) 291-3736 or Email: [email protected]

Can anyone apply to the program?
No, to apply for a Foundation scholarship, a student must be the child or grandchild of a current member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI. This includes deceased Society members who held active Society membership at the time of death. Children of graduates of the FBI National Academy with active membership status in the FBI National Academy Associates may apply for the George A. Zeiss Memorial Scholarship. Applicants must meet all eligibility and GPA requirements as outlined in the Scholarship Application Instructions.

Can my child apply for a scholarship if I am an Associate Member of the Society?
Yes, children and grandchildren of Regular, Associate, and Legacy Partner members may apply to the program.

Can a graduate student apply for a Foundation scholarship?
No, our scholarships are for students pursuing a 4-year undergraduate degree from an accredited 2 or 4-year college/university in the United States.

How do I submit my application materials?
Your academic transcript must be mailed directly from your school to the Foundation Office.  All other application materials are electronically submitted in the Scholarship Submission Portal once you have created your student account. See the Scholarship Application Instructions for details.

How do you know which scholarship to apply for?
Once you have created an account and logged into the scholarship submission portal, you will be asked if you want to apply for scholarships in the Leadership or Financial Need category. You may check one category, or both.

Is a separate application required for each scholarship?
No, only one application submission is required.

How are the scholarship recipients selected?
The Foundation's Board of Trustees reviews and evaluates all qualified applications. Based on their evaluation, an average weighted score is determined in three primary areas: Leadership = 70%, Essay = 20%, and Academic GPA = 10%. The leadership score takes into account the student's involvement in school, community and/or employment. A separate score is given for Financial Need that considers family size, adjusted gross income, the number of children in college and other circumstances that financially impact the student.

How much are the scholarships worth?
The scholarship amounts vary based on the annual budget approved by the Foundation Board of Trustees and Society Board of Directors. Based on the type of scholarship, the amount can range from $1,000 to $5,000.

How do I get my sponsor's Society membership number?
First, ask you sponsor. They can see this on their member profile when log into the Society website. If they can not locate this, have your sponsor call the Society office at (703) 445-0026 for assistance.

What can I use the scholarship funds for?
Our awards are a qualified scholarship as defined in IRS Publication 970. It is the recipient's responsibility to manage scholarship funds in accordance with IRS guidelines. (See IRS Publication 970.)

Do the funds I receive have to be split between semesters?
No, the Foundation does not require scholarship funds to be split between semesters. If you only have one semester left and you receive a $1,000 scholarship, the entire amount may be applied to that one semester.

Can I only apply one time?
Once you have received a scholarship from the Foundation, you are not eligible to apply to the program again. If you previously applied but did not receive a scholarship, then you may continue to apply as long as you meet the eligibility requirements and your sponsor's Society membership remains current.

Will I hear from you if I do not receive a scholarship?
Yes, all applicants who have completed submissions are notified of final award determinations.

When will I be notified?
Award determinations are made by the Foundation's Board of Trustees during their Spring meeting in early May. Applicants are notified of award determinations by May 31st.

Will you let me know if I have missed something?
No, students are responsible for reading and following the directions and making a complete and accurate submission. Omissions of vital requirements will disqualify you. If answers to questions are incomplete, it will reduce your score. It's important to thoroughly read and follow the application instructions and make certain you have completed all requirements. We suggest you have your transcripts mailed to us as soon as possible. You will be notified when this has been received by our office. 

Are there any scholarships available for skilled trades programs?
The Foundation offers a Skilled Trades Grant that is available for children and grandchildren of Society members. Information may be found by CLICKING HERE.

If I am applying for a Financial Need scholarship, what should I do if I cannot provide the IRS tax forms that are required for both parents?
If your parents are divorced or separated and you are applying for a Financial Need Scholarship, a copy of pages 1 and 2 of the latest IRS 1040 tax form is required for each parent. If this is not possible, then provide a written explanation why the information cannot be provided. This information may be uploaded in the portal.