Special Operations Association Scholarship Program
The Special Operations Association (SOA) has proudly sponsored awards for SOA members’ children since 1983, when COL George Clyde Morton (member #59-GL) initiated the program. The SOA Program has expanded and is now comprised of four awards. These four separate awards are accessed through the same single application and are evaluated and ranked at the same time. The deadline for submission of the application is 15 April 2026.
The awards are the following:
♣The Morton Award: This is a one-year $4000 award ($2000 per semester) award named in honor of George Clyde Morton. Col. Morton was an ardent supporter of and donor to the Scholarship program.
♣The Len and Nancy Fein STEM Endowment Award: This is a one-year $4000 award ($2,000 per semester) graciously provided by an endowment from a generous Special Forces family – Len and Nancy Fein. It specifically targets and promotes students who plan to major in a Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) field.
♣The William and Eleanor Lueders Honors Award: This one-year $1000 award is presented to applicants who have shown merit in numerous ways that are worthy of recognition. It is funded by a generous contribution from one of our own legendary SOA member’s family, William and Eleanor Lueders.
♣Colin Chen Memorial Vocational Award: This one-year $2,000 award is graciously provided by the Colin Chen Trust to those applicants who wish to pursue a vocational career.
SOA 2025-2026 Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to our newest SOA Scholarship recipients! Join us in celebrating their hard work, dedication, and achievements!
Eligible applicants are those who are:
- Child or grandchild of a current general SOA member in good standing
- Child or grandchild of a deceased general SOA member who was in good standing prior to death
- Adopted or stepchild/step grandchild of a current general SOA member in good standing. The stepchild must prove lineage connection to the SOA member.
- Child or grandchild of an MIA/KIA Special Operator who would have been eligible for membership.
APPLICATION FORMS: Only the current year’s (2026-27) application can be used.
POC: Vicki Chan-Padgett
Honorary Member
Chair, Special Operations Association Scholarship Committee
[email protected]
DONATIONS
SOA gratefully accepts donations to the fund and appreciates the memberships’ support of furthering the education and careers of SOA members’ lineage.