Scholarships

Scholarships are central to the mission of the Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation (AWAF). We are a dedicated professional organization focused on supporting the Advancement of Women in the Automotive and Mobility sectors.

The Scholarship Committee proudly offers two application deadlines each year in January and June, selecting scholarship recipients every quarter. We are dedicated to empowering women who exhibit a genuine passion and commitment to shape or advance in the automotive, mobility, and related career fields. We aim to alleviate financial burdens on students, allowing them to focus on acquiring knowledge and developing their careers in the rapidly evolving world of global mobility.

To be eligible for a scholarship, applicants must be accepted to or enrolled in an accredited collegiate program, maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and hold citizenship in North America. We accept applications year-round, and we encourage our AWAF members and their family members to apply.

Please be aware that AWAF reserves the right to modify its scholarship guidelines and eligibility requirements at any time, without notice to current or future applicants or recipients, and without liability. Don’t miss this chance to invest in your future and make a meaningful impact in the automotive and mobility industries!

Accepting Scholarship Applications for Q3/4 2026 through Tues, June 16, 2026

Please visit the "HOW TO APPLY" section of the Scholarship tab for directions, requirements, guidelines and to apply.

Download our Scholarship Brochure.

Scholarship testimonials

I want to share that I am exploring an engineering career in the automotive field largely in part from the support of AWAF. Excited to share that I’ve accepted a Product Engineering Co-op position with Nexteer Automotive in the steering department! I’m looking forward to gaining hands-on experience in the automotive industry and learning from such an innovative team. I’m especially excited to develop my technical skills, contribute to real engineering projects, and continue growing professionally throughout this opportunity. Thank you so much for your encouragement. I reapplied for an AWAF scholarship and am so grateful for the support.

Anna McClure, December 2025 recipient

As a chemical engineering student working toward a future in this field, AWAF's mission to empower and advocate for women resonates deeply with me. Knowing that an organization like AWAF believes in my potential is both motivating and inspiring, and it reinforces my determination to continue pushing myself academically and professionally. I hope to represent the foundation well as I continue my studies and work toward a career in the automotive industry.

Kloe Klakulak, December 2025 recipient

I am incredibly grateful for this recognition and the support you provide to women pursuing careers in the automotive industry. This scholarship means a great deal to me, and I look forward to representing AWAF as I continue my academic and professional journey in electrical engineering. Thank you again for your generosity and commitment to empowering future women in mobility and technology.

Grace Pridgeon, December 2025 recipient

I am incredible grateful for this scholarship.

Katherine Cheesbro, December 2025 recipient

I am honored to have received this scholarship. The holiday AWAF event was amazing, and I got to meet a lot of different people and who are passionate about women in the automotive industry.

Takiyah Ali, December 2025 recipient

Thank you so much for this scholarship. I am deeply honored to have received it, and it will have a profound impact on my education.

Ahnika Gaydos, October 2025 recipient

Thank you for the financial support through the Automotive Women's Alliance Foundation Scholarship. I am grateful for the opportunities it has provided and honored to be part of this inspiring AWAF community.

Kylah Bowser, October 2025 recipient

Thank you again for the generous scholarship, and I look forward to participating in this new community!

Kristy Rubino, August 2025 recipient

I'm still so wonderfully surprised that I received a scholarship award! Thank you so much.

Jennifer Mailloux, August 2025 recipient

I had a great experience at the Swing Fore Scholarships Dinner. It was wonderful to connect with so many successful women and leaders in the automotive industry. I definitely want to be part of the AWAF Community in the future, whether by mentoring other girls in engineering or participating in future events.

Melana Kaafarani, August 2025 recipient

I'm truly honored and grateful for this opportunity and excited for what's to come!

Piper Barth, August 2025 recipient

Thank you so much for awarding me this scholarship! I am extremely grateful, and this scholarship will make it easier for me to pay off my tuition this summer.

Vaanika Singla, June 2025 recipient

I have received the check for the AWAF Scholarship Education Award, and this has allowed me to pay the remaining tuition balance for

my senior year! Thank you once again for your guidance and support throughout this process - I am grateful to know incredible women in the Foundation.

Mariana Flores Cantu, June 2025 recipient

I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the generous support through the Christian Brothers Automotive Scholarship I was awarded. The contribution has been a tremendous blessing in my educational journey, and it is something I truly cherish. The scholarship has not only eased the financial burden of my education but has also inspired me to strive for excellence in my studies. Knowing that organizations like AWAF are willing to invest in students like me is deeply encouraging and motivates me to work harder toward my goals.

Ailey Smith, December 2024 recipient

I am extremely grateful for the $2,500 scholarship and it is a privilege to be chosen. Knowing there are people who believe in me and my dreams is such a reassurance and it inspires me to pursue my passion in mechanical engineering at Rutgers University and to dedicate my time to other women in STEM. This fall I will be teaching middle schoolers robotics instead of working a job due to this scholarship. Thank you so much!

Vaanika Singla, August 2024 recipient

I am writing to express my deep appreciation to AWAF for selecting me as the NASCAR and AWAF scholarship recipient. I am thrilled to have received the $5,000 award, which will help me continue my studies at the University of Maryland, and I am sure the AWAF Mentorship Program will be invaluable!

Carolyn Levine, August 2023 recipient

I would like to express my sincerest thanks and gratitude for choosing me as your recipient of the 2022 Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation Scholarship! I was beyond thrilled to hear the news that I was awarded this generous scholarship toward my education tuition. Attending Kettering University has been a truly invaluable experience for me so far, and I feel blessed that I get to continue doing what I love to do, because of people and organizations like your own.

Morgan Main, October 2022 recipient

Your commitment to increasing educational opportunities for women interested in the automotive industry is an inspiration. I am grateful for the opportunity to pursue my dreams which has been made possible from your financial support through the Maureen LaFontaine Legacy Scholarship. I cannot thank you enough for enabling me to continue with my academics.

Alyssa Hagen, October 2021 recipient

With the unexpected times, a lot of circumstances have changed making school more challenging. As a last term senior in the summer, this is one of the few scholarships available to me and I am overly grateful. This scholarship helps me to afford additional time in school in order to pursue two degrees in engineering. It also inspires me to become connected with the other outstanding scholarship recipients and the foundation. I appreciate the connections that have been presented to me. My hope is to someday give back like you. I know the impact this has on me, and I hope to do the same for others.

Kathryn Cesiel, August 2020 recipient

I am honored to be a recipient and am beyond grateful. This scholarship will enable me to pursue a higher education at Vanderbilt University in the School of Engineering. I hope that with a degree in computer and electrical engineering, I am able to improve the automotive industry in the future. Thank you again for your generosity.

Jennifer Mazzola, August 2020 recipient

Over the last four years, your organization has had a tremendous impact in allowing me to concentrate primarily on my career aspirations rather than the cost of tuition. Deloitte's generous sponsorship this year of my scholarship is especially meaningful as I have a background in software consulting and continue to be interested in software as it pertains to refining and streamlining engineering processes. Thank you to AWAF and Deloitte for contributing to my education and my future.

Geraghty Anne Ellis, four-time recipient, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

Thank you to AWAF and Magna International for the generous scholarship. By awarding me the scholarship, you have helped lighten my financial burden which allows me to focus more on the most important aspect of school which is learning. Your generosity continues to inspire me, and I hope after graduation I will be able to help students achieve their goals as you have helped me.

Emily Walker, two-time recipient, December 2019, August 2018

The AWAF scholarship is such an impactful gift, not just for me, but for the many other women whose future lives and careers have been shaped by this organization.

Claire Button, August 2019 recipient

Receiving this scholarship from Automotive Women's Alliance Foundation is very special to me because the automotive industry is my greatest of interest for my chosen field of Computer Science. This will be a great help and will allow me to fulfill my dream of becoming a computer scientist.

Alexandra "Ellie" Miliosz, July 2019 recipient

This scholarship has been such a blessing and will be very influential to me as I pursue my degree. This scholarship will help me afford college and allow me to focus on my studies rather than spending the majority of my time working. I hope that one day I can ease the financial burden of students like me. I am honored to be chosen to represent AWAF.

Ryann Kullmann, May 2019 recipient

I am grateful to AWAF for its continued support and to Magna's sponsorship of my scholarship award. Your foundation has had a tremendous impact on my college career. Thank you for continuing to encourage women to strive for what is possible, and for the assistance you provide to make it possible.

Geraghty Anne Ellis, three-time scholarship recipient 2018, 2017, 2016

I am over the moon in excitement to have been selected by an organization filled with positive, inspiring, and supportive women.

Ashley Kamlay, two-time Scholarship recipient 2018, 2017

A huge thanks to all of the donors who offer these scholarships to female students. Without the scholarships from AWAF, I do not know if I would have been able to afford college. The support has definitely influenced my decision to stay in the automotive industry, which is not always easy with a degree in Chemical Engineering.

Sally Raudabaugh Yi, two-time recipient 2017, 2016

Your foundation is one I am honored to be recognized by. Women in STEM forming a community and banding together always fosters hope, vision, and power. Inspiring and empowering young women is so important, and I vow to do the same just as you have done for me.

Claire Fraeyman, April 2017 recipient

I sincerely appreciate your continued encouragement and support of my education. My ongoing involvement with Georgia Tech's SAE team and recent summer internship at Cummins have made me even more enthusiastic about pursuing an automotive related career. I am genuinely touched by your confidence in my abilities, acknowledgement of my efforts, and Panasonic's generous sponsorship of the award. With heartfelt thanks.

Geraghty Anne Ellis, August 2017 recipient

I just wanted to drop you an extra little note to update you and thank you again. I got through my first semester and all the adjusting and am now part way into second semester and off to a great start. I love my classes and the SAE team is awesome too. I just wanted to send a follow-up note that your contribution to my schooling was very appreciated. I'll be continuing in the mechanical engineering program and plan to take some summer courses too. Thanks again for all of your help.

Michelle Sholty, August 2014 recipient

Thank you very much for choosing me as a recipient. I truly appreciate Meritor's sponsorship. I knew I wanted to attend Georgia Tech and your generous contribution to my higher education has helped move this dream to a reality, and I sincerely appreciate your confidence in my potential. Your scholarship will assist me greatly in pursuing my dream of a career in the automotive industry.

Geraghty Anne Ellis, April 2017 recipient

Thank you immensely for your financial support. I want you to know that every time I receive an email from AWAF about an event I get all worked up. I wish I lived in Michigan. What you ladies are doing for women in this industry is awesome! I would love to be a part of that someday. I do my best with where I am at now, to spread the word and encourage other young women who are considering a career, or already in a career, in the automotive industry. I completely understand why your foundation does what it does. And from this end of the spectrum, I want you all to know YES it makes a difference!

Andrea Ealy, August 2016 recipient

Thank you for awarding me your foundation’s $2500 scholarship! It lifted a huge financial burden off my shoulders by making it possible to buy the tools I need for class and to begin my career after school. I would not be here today if it wasn’t for the scholarship.

Mikayla Brakke, August 2016 recipient

I am one step closer to the goal. Your generosity has inspired me to help others and give back to the community. I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.

Roshay Timmons, December 2016 recipient

I want to say thank you again for all your support over the years and to let you know I will be a senior in the fall 2017. Thank you so much, I could not have made it without your support.

Aubrey Perry, two-time recipient 2015, 2014

I would like to extend great appreciation for the scholarship I have received this academic school year. Being recognized as a recipient is such an honor to me. I am grateful that your board and members understand the importance of education was willing to make such a generous donation to me as I work diligently to complete my undergraduate degree from Wayne State University

LaVonne Ellis, October 2013

Thank everyone who made the $2500 scholarship I received possible. Your efforts and generous investment to my future are deeply appreciated.

Skylar Soto, August 2013

I am deeply grateful to Panasonic Corporation for funding my scholarship. Your financial assistance will help me continue my mechanical engineering studies by softening the tuition burden. Your support of AWA Foundation's scholarship program is a wonderful way to show the world how you value the role of women in the automotive industry.

Laura R. Peters, August 2013

This scholarship is helping me pursue my goal to attend the University of Michigan and become an engineer. I enjoyed the dinner and panel discussion very much. Thank you for choosing me for the AWAF scholarship

Demi Outman, April 2013

I want to express my gratitude for awarding me with the AWAF scholarship. I also had a wonderful time meeting with all of the successful women in the automotive industry. It truly is an honor to be involved with such a foundation. I look forward to the future challenges and discoveries the automotive industry may bring, along with attending AWAF events to gain more knowledge and experience.

Ashley Bringard, December 2012

I am very honored to be an award recipient. Your support of AWAF fundraising efforts helps students like me reach their goal. I am eternally grateful that you have taken time from your busy schedules to give to this cause. My goal is to become a successful engineer working in the automotive industry and "paying it forward".

McKinna Kinsey, August 2012

Receiving the scholarship encourages me to keep on this path and strive to do better. Your support of my goals means so much and I will continue to be dedicated to my education and committed to encouraging other young women to be a part of this growing industry.

Nicole Findlay, July 2011

This scholarship will benefit my future college education greatly. It is an honor to be chosen by such a prestigious organization. I look forward to pursuing my education in the field of Mechanical Engineering. Furthermore, it was a pleasure to meet everyone at the event. The speakers were phenomenal and had interesting experiences and insights. I am confident that I have made the right career choice. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Alexandria Basher, March 2010

Thank you for selecting me as your scholarship award recipient and thank you for your continued support of women in the automotive industry. As a field manager, I am uniquely positioned to observe the challenges facing our industry both from the OEM and the dealer perspective. I made the decision to enter the MBA - Management Information Systems program after observing a common challenge facing automotive service; how do we effectively reach our GEN X and GEN Y service customers. The ability to quickly adapt to and incorporate new technologies into our current business model will be vital for maintaining product relevance to a younger and savvy generation. Once again, I express my appreciation for the support of AWAF.

Candace Chamberlain, January 2008

AWAF Is A 501(C)3 Organization

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