2026 Ben DeFelice Scholarship
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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. Credit union membership must be current or a current client of NWFA.
- 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:
- Create your account.
- Check your email and click the link to validate your email address.
- Return to the original tab and begin applying.