All applicants must:

• Be an African American/Black female, senior attending a school located in Delaware County.
• Have a grade point average of 2.5 or better on a 4.0 scale.
• Be accepted at an accredited two or four-year college/university.
• Show evidence of involvement in extra-curricular activities and community service.
• Submit a complete application:
  • The completed application MUST be received by March 31, 2026.
  • Applications received after March 31, 2026, will not be considered.
  • Submit a typed essay of 500 or more words that answers the essay question listed below.
  • Submit letters verifying community service.
  • Submit an official high school transcript that clearly reflects your GPA.
  • Submit a Photo/Video Release Form.
• Be available for a scheduled interview.
• When applying for multiple scholarships, EACH application MUST contain its own set of required materials.

Transcripts should be emailed to: scholarship@dstchesterpaac.org

NOTE: Submitted materials will not be returned. ALL materials submitted will become the property of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Chester (PA) Alumnae Chapter.

Community Service: Please read the criteria for service letters carefully

Community service is defined as service provided by you to an organization that affects the community and its members. It cannot be a paid position. Service done through your school because of membership in a club or from an organization you belong to is acceptable.

• You MUST provide a letter from the school or EACH organization you have completed service for.
• The letter MUST include the number of service hours.
• The letter MUST be on the organization's letterhead.
• The letter MUST be signed by someone from the organization.
• Service letters MUST be provided. Certificates will not be accepted.

Essay Questions:

Please answer the essay question using the following criteria:

• Times New Roman
• 1 inch margins
• Double spaced
• Typed essay of 500 or more words.

1. Why is it important for citizens, including young voters, to participate in every election, whether local, state, or national? Discuss the impact that voting can have on shaping public policy, representing diverse voices, and ensuring that the needs of all communities are addressed.

Essay Tips

Have a title for your essay.

Use an appropriate style and vocabulary. Make sure you are within the bounds of acceptable usage.

• Write a first draft then spend time "polishing" your essay.
  • Make verbs strong and active.
  • Make descriptions precise and powerful.
  • Use proper grammar and syntax.
  • Remember, your topic must have an introduction and strong conclusion.

• Indent the first line of every paragraph.
• Use spell check or a dictionary if necessary.
• Check your punctuation.
• Check your grammar. Do all sentences have a noun and a verb? Is the tense correct?
• Check your capitalization. Are all proper nouns capitalized?
• Proof-read your essay and make sure you have answered one of the questions.
• Let someone else such as your English teacher or parent/guardian read it.

Scholarship Application Checklist:

Please be sure the following items have been completed:

• Complete application - all sections filled in.
• All required documents uploaded
  • Typed essay question - Did you answer the essay question?
  • Photo/Video Release form
  • Letters verifying community service on organization letterhead and signed by the organization representative.
• Official High School transcript that reflects your current GPA.