Eligibility & Application
Requirements and Guidelines for WCJMS Application
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, students must:
- •Be a high school senior graduating in the current academic year
- •Be a first generation college student*
- •Have a minimum GPA of 2.8 (on a 4.0 scale)
- •Have an acceptance from a 2- or 4-year college or university
- ◦Must be enrolled as a full-time student in this college or university
- •Demonstrate financial need
Application Requirements**
Required Documents:
- Personal Essay (550 - 750 words)
Essay should:
- • Describe your educational and career goals
- • Reflect on a challenge you’ve overcome and how it shaped your goals
- • Share examples of resilience in the face of personal or financial hardship
- • Explain how this scholarship will help you achieve opportunities that might be otherwise out of reach
- Official High School Transcript
- Letter of College Acceptance
From a 2 or 4-year accredited college/university
- Statement of Financial Need (150 – 200 words)
- Two letters of recommendation
At least one from a teacher or administrator at current high school
- Proof of registration as a full-time student
At school of acceptance
- Current picture
Optional Materials:
- Resume
- 2-3 sentences on how being a first-generation college student shapes your educational journey
Selection Process
Applicant materials, including essay and letters of recommendation should demonstrate the student’s commitment to community service, leadership, or acts of resilience, reflecting Willie’s dedication to service through the U.S. Air Force and his career with AAFES.
Applications will be reviewed by the WCJ Memorial Scholarship Committee. Selections will be made through a holistic review of academic achievement, financial need, personal essay, recommendations, and demonstrated commitment to service and resilience.
Additional Information
Application Deadline
All application materials must be received by June 1st of the enrollment year
Scholarship Renewal
- • Scholarships may be awarded annually for up to four years*
- • Academic progress must be verified for each subsequent year of funding beyond the first year
- Students must submit:
- ◦ An official college transcript
- ◦ Proof of registration as a full-time student for the upcoming school year
- • Students must retain a cumulative GPA of 2.8 on 4.0 scale
- • Due to the volume of applications received, prior award does not guarantee future award
- • Priority will be given to those entering their first year of college
- • Award amounts may vary each year depending on the number of applications
*We define a first-generation college student as a student whose parents—or parent, in the case of students raised by a single parent, or legal guardian,—did not complete a bachelor’s degree. A student is still considered first generation even if a parent or legal guardian completed some college or earned an associate degree.
**To ensure fairness and uphold the values of the WCJ Memorial Scholarship, all letters of recommendation may be reviewed and verified for authenticity. Applicants are expected to submit truthful and transparent materials, as any misrepresentation may impact eligibility.