Application available April 28, 2025.

Background

The scholarship is named for M. Troy Woods, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of TSYS at the time of its merger with Global Payments in 2019 and subsequently chairman of the board of Global Payments.

Mr. Woods received his bachelor’s degree from Columbus State University and later served on its board of trustees. In 2006 he was recognized as a recipient of Columbus State University’s Thomas Y. Whitley Distinguished Alumnus Award, named for the institution’s first president and presented annually to the graduate who has most lived up to the high standards set by the award's namesake.

Overview

The M. Troy Wood Scholarship:

• Is intended to help students pursuing a Cybersecurity Practitioner Certificate in the Columbus State University Turner College of Business and Technology.
• Will recognize two students who demonstrate financial need, a passion for the field of cybersecurity, and the ability to be successful in the college environment.
• Will pay a one-time award of $5,000 ($2,500 per semester).
• Will be paid to Columbus State University on behalf of the recipient.
• May be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, housing, books, and additional education-related expenses.
• Note: For most students, a scholarship grant used for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and essential equipment is usually not taxable. Scholarship funds used for room and board, stipends, and other purposes may be taxable. Scholarship recipients should consult a tax professional with questions about the tax implications of their scholarship grant.

Eligibility and Application Process

To be eligible for the Craig Scholarship, an applicant must:

• Plan to begin a Cybersecurity Practitioner Certificate cohort at Columbus State University in Fall 2025.
• Demonstrate financial need, a passion for the field of cybersecurity, and the ability to be successful in the college environment.
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Meet the admission requirements for Columbus State University.
• Not be an immediate family member of any employee or board member of the Community Foundation of the Chattahoochee Valley, Inc.
• Complete a personal interview with the Woods Scholarship Committee, if requested.
• Note: All other factors being equal, first preference in selection may be given to applicants who are residents of Stewart County, GA, and second preference in selection may be given to applicants who are residents of Muscogee or Harris County, Georgia.

Timeline

• Completed Application Due: Friday, May 30th, 5:00 p.m.
• Notification of Finalist Status: June 2025
• Inquiries about the application should be made by the student applicant via email at scholarships@cfcv.com.