Federal Water Quality Association Scholaerships

FWQA has been very proud to provide scholarships to students seeking careers in wastewater and related field. In the past, FWQA has provided each year, at least three $2,000 annual scholarships (based on sponsor donations) to Washington, D.C.-area high school seniors accepted to college to pursue careers in the environmental sciences.

Graduating seniors from high schools in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area planning to pursue environmental careers are eligible to apply for FWQA scholarships. Before receiving the awards, recipients must be accepted into a four-year bachelor's program in an acceptable field of study by an accredited institution of higher learning. Examples of acceptable fields of study include: chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, civil engineering, chemical engineering, and natural resources planning.

Richard Barber Scholarship

Mr. Richard (Rich) Barber served as FWQA's president in 1992-1993 and was instrumental in establishing FWQA's first student chapter, at Howard University. Mr. Barber received his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Temple University and his M.S. in Environmental Science from Rutgers University. His distinguished career included 17 years as an environmental engineer with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This scholarship honors Mr. Barber's hard work and dedication on behalf of EPA and FWQA. He died in 1996 after a two-year battle with cancer.

Gordon McCallum Scholarship

Dr. Gordon McCallum served in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service for 26 years, retiring in 1965 with the rank of Assistant Surgeon General. He served as administrator of the Federal Water Pollution Control Program from 1955 to 1965. A former FWQA president and Water Environmental Federation board member, Dr. McCallum is memorialized through this scholarship.

Harvey Olem Scholarship

Dr. Harvey Olem was a respected colleague whose plane disappeared in Bolivia in May 1994 while he was working on a World Bank project. Dr. Olem began his career as an environmental engineer with the Tennessee Valley Authority and later worked as a project manager for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He was founder and president of Olem Associates and the Center for Watershed Protection. Dr. Olem was a frequent author and respected consultant in the water quality field. He served as an active member of FWQA, and his memory is honored through this scholarship.

FEDERAL WATER QUALITY ASSOCIATION

National Capital Environmental Scholarship Program

What are the Federal Water Quality Association scholarships?

Four scholarships in the amount of $2000 each are planned to be awarded in 2026 to encourage young people to prepare for careers in environmental protection by supporting studies leading to a bachelor’s degree in applicable sciences or engineering. (per sponsor contributions)

Who is eligible to apply? Graduating seniors from high schools in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area and surrounding counties, planning to pursue environmental careers. (You must be accepted prior to receiving the award, into a 4-year bachelor’s program in an acceptable field of study by an institution of higher learning). Acceptable areas of study: environmental sciences, environmental engineering, civil engineering, biology, chemistry, chemical engineering, or natural resource planning other areas of the environment will also be considered.

How are applications judged? By a committee of water professionals, on academic achievement and above all on the applicant’s level of commitment to environmental protection (essay must reflect environmentally-related studies and/or service, leadership, and overall presentation including emphasis on science courses, relevance of program of study, and sincerity of commitment).

What MUST you send besides the application?

1. School transcript

2. SAT (or ACT) scores

3. Reference letter(s), preferably from a science teacher or environmentalist

4. List of extra-curricular activities or brief description

5. Copy of letter of acceptance from a 4-year college, and

6. ESSAY (one page preferred) on ONE of the following topics:

a. How your own actions have promoted environmental protection/awareness.

b. Why you would like to pursue a career in environmental protection/pollution control; what factors led to your decision; and what you hope to accomplish through a career in this field.

c. How your choice of extracurricular activities, elective classes, and non-science classes will contribute to your career goals.

When is the application deadline? Your application MUST be received by Monday, April 13, 2026 (no exceptions). Winners will be notified in early May.