National Pan-Hellenic Council of Chicago

The purpose of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Chicago (NPHC-C) Scholarship Award is to provide financial support to traditional and non-traditional undergraduates who are full-time students enrolled in an accredited 4-year institution and currently an active and financial member of the Divine Nine.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council of Chicago (NPHC-C) Scholarship promotes educational advancement. Award recipients of the NPHC-C Scholarship are presented at the NPHCC Scholarship Banquet. This endeavor of the graduate members of NPHC-C is to reach back to our undergraduate Fraters and Sorors and assist them in their effort to reach their educational goals.

1. Must be a full-time undergraduate student that attends a four(4) year institution in the State of Illinois.
2. An undergraduate student who is a financial member of an active Divine Nine chapter in good standing, where the Chapter Advisor confirms active status.
3. The student must currently have a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or 3.5 on a 5.0 scale. A sealed official transcript must be emailed to the Scholarship Chair.
4. Two (2) letters of recommendation must be submitted:
   1. One from current Chapter Advisor
   2. One from a professor, instructor, college advisor OR the head of a community organization that you have recorded service. Please note, contact information must be provided by the author of the recommendation letters.
5. Essay should be no more than 500 words. 

1. Completed application and essay should be submitted through this form by January 3, 2026 at 11:59PM. Late application materials will not accepted. 
2. Recommendation letters should be emailed to scholarship@nphcchicago.org by January 3, 2026 at 11:59PM CST. Late application materials will not accepted. 
3. Official transcripts must be received by January 3, 2026 at 11:59PM. The transcript can include to date grades. Late transcripts will not be accepted. Please email official transcript to scholarship@nphcchicago.org. 
4. If you have any questions, please contact scholarship@nphcchicago.org
5. Applications will be reviewed and judged by the NPHC-C Scholarship Award Committee.
6. Judging will be completed and notification sent to the award recipient(s) by January 10, 2026. All applications will be ranked and the top finalists will be awarded the scholarship(s) during the NPHCC Scholarship Presentation on February 7, 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Alsip. 

1. Each finalist will receive an award pending verification of an official transcript from their 4-year college or university.
2. Current Chapter Advisor must provide verification that the applicant is active and a financial member of a Divine 9 organization from their current chapter. This documentation must be provided to the Scholarship committee along with application.
3. This scholarship can be applied to tuition, school fees, and books or for the student to utilize for any campus needs.
4. This scholarship is non-renewable.

Letter from Current Chapter Advisor

One letter of recommendation must be from the current chapter advisor. The letter must be typed and include:

• Name of current chapter advisor & current chapter affiliation
• Applicant’s name
• The length of time the current chapter advisor has known the applicant
• Personal characteristics and leadership skills/abilities (e.g. organizing, planning and coordinating) the applicant possesses
• Public service activities in which the applicant is/has been involved in on campus or in the community
• Reason(s) applicant should be awarded the scholarship
• Programs the applicant developed or chaired within the chapter
• Signature can be electronic

Letter from School Official

One letter of recommendation can be from a school official. The school official letter must be written on official university letterhead. “Official” is whatever the school deems its public or customary letterhead.

• The letter must be typed and include:
• Name and position of person providing the recommendation
• Applicant’s name
• Length of time and in what capacity the person has known the applicant
• Signature and date can be electronic
• Public service activities in which the applicant is/has been involved in on campus or in the community
• Reason(s) applicant should be awarded the scholarship
• Personal characteristics and leadership skills/abilities (e.g. organizing, planning and coordinating) the applicant possesses

Letter from Community Organization

One letter of recommendation can be from a community organization. The community organization letter must be written on official community organization letterhead. “Official” is whatever the organization deems its public or customary letterhead.

• The letter must be typed and include:
• Name and position of person providing the recommendation
• Name of organization
• Applicant’s name
• Length of time the applicant has been involved with the organization
• Signature and date can be electronic
• A list and description of service rendered and applicant’s roles and responsibilities within the organization
• Reason(s) applicant should be awarded the scholarship
• What the organization has gained through the applicant’s involvement

Please fill out form in its entirety. 

Community work/ Civic Involvement

You can choose 1 of the 3 questions below for your essay entry. Ensure that you adhere to the guidelines and upload a pdf copy of your essay using the designated link.

The essay questions are:
1. What do you consider to be the single most important societal problem facing the African American community and why?
2. Explain the importance of your major to society today and the African American community.
3. What is the most significant challenge facing your generation, and what solutions would you propose to address it?

***Please note: Remember that joining is a commitment and your popularity and stepping skills do not count; being a part of the organization means participating.***