Ben DeFelice, a Central Intelligence Agency career employee of 34 years, pioneered major benefit programs for the men and women who serve their country in intelligence. He spent two decades handling one of CIA's most delicate assignments: looking after the interests of CIA Employees who were missing, captured, or killed in the line of duty and consoling their relatives. He ensured that employees who served the Agency would not be forgotten. Mr. DeFelice served for 31 years as Chairman of the Board for the Northwest Federal Credit Union and served for 9 years on the Board of Northwest Financial Services, formerly Northwest Services.

This scholarship created in Mr. DeFelice's name is for the individual who exemplifies his qualities of leadership, dedication, and commitment in school, at work, in the community, and to their family.
 

Requirements:  Ben DeFelice Scholarship applicants must:

• 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 and or NW Financial Advisors client for at least one year AND open an account if selected to receive scholarship. 
• Applicant must be currently enrolled (graduating in Spring 2026) or have graduated within the last year from a public high school. 
• Applicant must be a current high school senior, college freshman, or Spring 2025 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 2026. 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.
   

PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION IN YOUR APPLICATION OR YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

Clicking "Create your Account" will open a new window. There you should:

1. Create your account.
2. Check your email and click the link to validate your email address.
3. Return to the original tab and begin applying.

About the Scholarship Program

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

The 2026 Horizon Scholarship Program is open to students who are currently a high school senior, college freshman or spring 2025 high school graduate (or equivalent) currently participating in a gap year. Additionally high school applicants must currently be enrolled (graduating in Spring 2026) 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 2025-2026 nonprofit partners. 

Program Rules

• Applicant clearly demonstrates financial need and articulates example(s) of overcoming obstacles/adversity. 
• High School applicants must be currently enrolled (graduating in Spring 2026) 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 2025-2026 nonprofit partners: Second Story, She Believes in Me, Genesys Works (National Capital Region)
• Applicant must be a current high school senior, college freshman or spring 2025 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 2026. Master’s education and above do not qualify for scholarship opportunity. 
• Scholarship funds must be applied to education program (two-year, four year or vocational school program) the Fall semester of 2026.  
• If awarded, scholarship funds will be deposited directly with the student’s accredited school. 

Scholarship Constraints

• Recipient forgoes their scholarship funding if not used in the required timeframe.
• Students who are receiving a full-ride scholarship do not qualify. 
• 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.

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: 

• Applicant must be the child or grandchild of a current or former CIA employee 
• 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 the 2026-2027 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. 
• Students who are receiving a full-ride scholarship do not qualify. 
• Applicant cannot be a past awardee of any NWFCU Foundation, OSINT, or CIRA scholarship. 

 PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE ANY PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION IN YOUR APPLICATION OR YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

Clicking "Create your Account" will open a new window. There you should:
1. Create your account.
2. Check your email and click the link to validate your email address.
3. Return to the original tab and begin applying.