ARRL Charles Clarke Cordle Memorial Scholarship 2026 , USA

The ARRL Charles Clarke Cordle Memorial Scholarship is a prestigious award offered by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) to support students who are active amateur radio operators and pursuing higher education in Georgia or Alabama. Created in honor of Charles Clarke Cordle, this $1,000 scholarship is designed to encourage academic excellence, promote interest in amateur radio, and support students pursuing studies in electronics, communications, and related technical fields.

This guide provides full details on scholarship eligibility, benefits, degree levels, preferred majors, nationality requirements, and step-by-step instructions for applying.

Degree Level

Applicants must be:

At least high school seniors,
Or currently enrolled in a college, university, or technical institution.
The scholarship is open to all higher education levels, including:

Associate programs
Bachelor’s degree programs
Vocational/technical programs
Graduate studies (if attending an eligible institution)

Available Subjects

While students from all majors may apply, preference is given to applicants pursuing:

Electronics
Electrical engineering
Communications
Telecommunications
Radio technology
Computer engineering
Related technical fields

This preference aligns with the scholarship’s mission to promote interest in amateur radio and communication technologies.

Benefits

The ARRL Charles Clarke Cordle Memorial Scholarship provides:

$1,000 Financial Award

A financial award to be used toward:

Tuition
Textbooks
Lab fees
Academic materials
Other educational expenses

Recognition from ARRL Foundation

Receiving an ARRL scholarship enhances a student’s academic and professional profile, especially for those entering technical industries.

Support for Amateur Radio Enthusiasts

The scholarship helps strengthen the next generation of radio operators, engineers, and communication specialists.

Eligible Nationalities

This scholarship is unique because:

Both U.S. citizens and international students are eligible, as long as they hold a valid FCC amateur radio license and meet residency requirements.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Charles Clarke Cordle Memorial Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Must be an active FCC-licensed amateur radio operator for a minimum of one year
Must be a resident of Georgia or Alabama
Must plan to attend an institution in Georgia or Alabama
Must have at least a 2.5 GPA
Must be at least a high school senior
Must submit all documents online only through the ARRL application portal
Must provide required transcripts and documents within the application, not emailed separately

Preference is given to:

Students majoring in electronics, communications, or related technical fields
Students actively participating in amateur radio clubs, contests, and projects

Residency and College Location Requirements

To qualify, applicants must meet both residency and college enrollment conditions:

Residency Requirement

Applicants must be residents of either:

Georgia
Alabama

College Enrollment Requirement

Students must plan to attend (or currently attend) a college or university located in:

Georgia
Alabama

Amateur Radio Requirements

The ARRL Charles Clarke Cordle Memorial Scholarship is specifically designed for amateur radio operators.

Applicants must:

Hold an active FCC-licensed Amateur Radio License
Have held this license for at least one year
Be active in amateur radio activities
Active foreign amateur radio operators may apply only for The ARDC Scholarships, not this one.