Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Memorial Scholarship
Overview
Recipents 1 Recipient
Award $20,000
Open Date
Deadline Date 04/30/2026
Recurring Event Yes
State Specific Scholarship No
School Specific Scholarship No
Website Link
Who's Eligible
Military Branch: Air Force
Military Status: Dependent, Dependent - Active Military Service
Student Background:
Student Disability:
Academic Status:
Academic Level: Undergraduate
Degree Specific: Engineering
Detail
The Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Memorial Scholarship is made possible through a generous contribution from Dr. Ted Gold, honoring the life and legacy of his late wife, Dr. Sydell Gold.
A pioneer for women in math and science, Sydell earned her Ph.D. in Theoretical Mathematics in 1973 while raising three children. Throughout her distinguished career, she served on the National Security Council under both the Carter and Reagan administrations, was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Strategic Systems and Arms Control, and helped launch a Women’s Business Forum to support women in technical and management roles. She also served on numerous advisory councils and committees, often as the only woman in the room.
To honor her extraordinary achievements and inspire future generations, the Dr. Sydell Perlmutter Gold Scholarship will be awarded annually to daughters of Air Force members who are pursuing a bachelor's degree in a Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) field. The scholarship award totals $20,000, distributed in four annual payments of $5,000 each.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
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Be female graduating high school seniors who have excelled in mathematics.
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Be accepted into an accredited four-year college or university.
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Be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field.
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Be a dependent of a currently serving, retired, or deceased Air Force member.
Preference will be given to applicants who
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Are first-generation college students.
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Have demonstrated financial need, as determined by the most recent submitted FAFSA.
Award Renewal Requirements
Since this is a multi-year award, recipients must submit the following each year to remain eligible:
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Proof of continued enrollment in a STEM major (via official transcript).
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A letter to the scholarship sponsor detailing how the scholarship has impacted their education and STEM career aspirations.
AFA will contact recipients each summer with instructions for submitting these materials.
Additionally, all recipients must provide AFA with a completed W-9 form to receive scholarship payments.