Volney Meece
By Alan Schmadtke
FWAA.com
DALLAS (FWAA)--The Football Writers Association of America has opened the application window for eligible high school and college students interested in applying for the 2027 Volney Meece Scholarship.
For more than 25 years, the FWAA has given out an annual $1,000, multi-year scholarship to help defray the cost of higher education.
The scholarship committee will accept applications from:
FWAA members’ children who plan to enroll in college in 2027.
FWAA members’ children who already attend college.
Student FWAA members.
Children of College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) who are entering college or are already in college. The CSC member does not have to be a current FWAA member but must be a current CSC member.
Graduate students who have a parent that is an FWAA or CCSC member.
For someone to win the award in their senior year of high school, the scholarship is worth up to $4,000 – four annual $1,000 awards.
The scholarship application window will remain open through March 31, 2027. The selection committee will vet applicants and announce the winner in April 2027.
The FWAA named the award for the late Volney Meece, the organization’s president in 1971 and later its executive director for 22 years. Meece was a beloved sportswriter and columnist at the Oklahoma City Times and The Oklahoman before retiring in 1991. He died in 1995 at age 70.
Interested students (or their parents) can email former FWAA President Alan Schmadtke at schmad09@gmail.com for a link to the application.
Part of the application process is gathering updated high school or college transcripts, and that process can take several weeks, depending on the school’s records policies. In addition, the FWAA asks that the student applying for the scholarship complete the application. We feel this shows an important level of inspiration and commitment worthy of the scholarship.
The FWAA is a collection of journalists, broadcasters, publicists of college football and key executives involved in all aspects of the sport. It was founded in 1941 and consists largely of members across North America who cover college football for a living.
A 501-c-6 nonprofit organization, the FWAA works to help govern areas that include game-day operations and postseason awards. In addition to the Volney Meece Scholarship, the FWAA also sponsors an All-America team, an All-Freshman team and Freshman Awards, the Steve Ellis Award for the best beat writer, the Edward Aschoff Rising Star award, and an annual writing contest. Through its website, the FWAA works to improve communication among all those who work within the game. Membership in the FWAA is open to accredited members of the media and other organizations affiliated with college football. All applications are subject to the approval of the association's board of directors. If you have a question about membership, contact FWAA Executive Director Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.
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