Camaraderie of Courage Scholarships
The 2025 Camaraderie of Courage Scholarship is now OPEN for applications!
All applications must be submitted by June 15, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST to be considered.
(2) $2,000 scholarships will be awarded!
The Bill and Dee Ledgerwood Scholarship is one of the two scholarships Camaraderie of Courage awards annually. This scholarship is named in honor of two incredible individuals who are dedicated to academia and philanthropy. Their support of Camaraderie of Courage has made the annual scholarship possible.
Both Camaraderie of Courage Scholarships are awarded annually to any 1st Brigade affiliate through our non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to serving 1st Brigade at Ft. Drum.
For more information or general questions, please contact: Bronwyn Wilson at camaraderieofcourage@yahoo.com.
Camaraderie of Courage Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:
1. Must be affiliated with 1st Brigade, Ft. Drum. Affiliation means current Soldier in 1st Brigade, Spouse or child of 1st Brigade Soldier; former Soldier, Spouse or child (step and/or adopted) of 1st Brigade Soldier; or Mother, Father, Step-Mother, Step-Father, Brother, Sister, Step-Brother, Step-Sister, child (adopted) or adult child of fallen 1st Brigade Soldier (Gold Star Family). If you have an affiliation with 1st Brigade that is not listed here, but you believe there is an affiliation, please apply and list the affiliation with an explanation.
2. Email proof of affiliation to camaraderieofcourage@yahoo.com. Examples: Orders, Awards, etc. Any documentation that shows affiliation.
3. Current Camaraderie of Courage Board members are NOT eligible.
4. Must be using the scholarship award for higher education. Must be for a college, community college, university, trade school, study-abroad program through a college, etc.
5. Most recent high school or college transcript. Home School transcripts are acceptable. Email a copy. If you have been out of school for an extended period of time (10 years or more) and cannot get a copy of your transcripts, please explain why.
6. Essay is required. See the explanation at the end.
7. Letters of Recommendation are required. See the explanation at the end.
8. If you are receiving full tuition from another source (GI Bill, GRADSO, etc.) but have a need for the scholarship to pay for another aspect of your education, please email an explanation.
9. If awarded the scholarship, you agree that the scholarship will be paid directly to the institution. If paying to the institution is not possible, scholarship winner agrees to show proper validation of the scholarship being used for further education.
10. Type your application as clearly as possible.
11. Make sure to include city, state, and zip code. Do not use abbreviations regarding your city.
12. Supply an active email address and phone number, including area code, where you can be reached in case of questions.
13. Fill in all blanks on the application. If it does not apply to you, use N/A (not applicable).
14. Make sure all required items are included. If any part is missing, you may be disqualified. Make a copy of your completed application packet for your records.
15. Previous applicants who were not selected for a scholarship are welcome to reapply.
16. Prior scholarship winners are welcome to apply again provided two whole years have lapsed in between the award and the new application, AND it is being used for another degree after you completed the original degree that you received the scholarship for previously. For example, you were awarded one of Camaraderie of Courage’s scholarships in 2020 while pursuing your bachelor’s degree in education. You have since graduated, and you are now in school to obtain a master’s degree in education. Or, after you graduated with your bachelor’s degree in education, you are currently pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or attending a trade school.