Phi Alpha Zeta Annual Scholarship Application

On January 16, 1920, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on the campus of Howard University by five visionary women who dared to depart from the traditional coalitions for black women and sought to establish a new organization based on the precepts of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood and Finer Womanhood.

In furtherance of the mission of our founders, the Phi Alpha Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is seeking qualified applicants for its scholarship awards program.

The Phi Alpha Zeta Chapter will award (4) different types of scholarships.

1. One (1) Lena Tolliver Memorial Scholarship
2. One (1) Promise Scholarship
3. One (1) Opportunity Scholarship
4. Two (2) Achiever Scholarships

The purpose of the Phi Alpha Zeta Annual Scholarship Program is to recognize and honor outstanding young women who intend to further their education at two and four-year colleges and universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

To qualify for the Lena Tolliver Memorial, the Promise, and the Achiever Scholarship awards, the student must be in her senior year at a Charles County high school, complete all application forms, including the supporting materials, and submit the application package by April 30th. Only one application should be submitted, and applicants will be considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible. Applications must be typed, and the eligibility criteria must be strictly followed.

Failure to follow the criteria will automatically disqualify the applicant.

AWARD ELIGIBILITY

Lena Tolliver Memorial Scholarship:

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Graduating, high school senior woman enrolled in a public/chartered high school located in Charles County, Maryland.
2. Possess a cumulative (non-weighted) grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale.
3. Be accepted for full-time study at a four-year college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and provide proof of acceptance.
4. Has not received a Phi Alpha Zeta Chapter Scholarship in the past.

Promise Scholarship:

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Graduating, high school senior woman enrolled in a public/chartered high school located in Charles County, Maryland.
2. Possess a cumulative (non-weighted) grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale.
3. Be accepted for full-time study at a four-year college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and provide proof of acceptance.
4. Has not received a Phi Alpha Zeta Chapter Scholarship in the past.

Opportunity Scholarship:

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. A resident of Charles County, Maryland.
2. Over the age of 25 as of March 1 of the application year.
3. Not previously earned a bachelor's degree.
4. Be accepted for study at a four-year college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and provide proof of acceptance.
5. Have at least one full year remaining in an undergraduate program as of the fall of the application year.
6. Has not received a Phi Alpha Zeta Chapter scholarship in the past.

Achiever Scholarship:

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Graduating, high school senior woman enrolled in a public/chartered high school located in Charles County, Maryland.
2. Possess a cumulative (no-weighted) grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher based on a 4.0 scale.
3. Be accepted for full-time study at a four-year college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and provide proof of acceptance.
4. Has not received a Phi Alpha Zeta Chapter Scholarship in the past.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1. Applicant must submit an official transcript from her high school guidance counselor to the following email address: scholarship@phialphazeta.org. The applicant must also upload an unofficial transcript to this application. 

2. Applicant must submit two (2) letters of recommendation. If applying for the Lena Tolliver Memorial, the Promise, or the Achiever scholarship, one recommendation must be from a teacher or counselor.

3. Applicant must demonstrate financial need and submit a Student Aid Report (SAR).

4. Applicant must demonstrate community service by documenting contributions made in both school and the community, and/or by participating in Zeta Phi Beta Sorority programs.

5. Applicant must provide an original essay between 250 and 500 words on one of the following three topics.

Please include your essay topic of choice in the document header.

     A. Who has most influenced your academic journey and how?
     B. In what ways have you demonstrated a commitment to community                       service?
     C. Describe your future plans and how your college education will support              you in achieving your goals.

6. Applicant must include the following documentation in this application:

    A. Complete, e-signed application
    B. Transcript 
    C. Student Aid Report (SAR)
    D. Letter of acceptance into an accredited four-year college or university (if            available)
    E. Two letters of recommendation
    F. Essay

7. All application submissions must be electronic.

8. All completed application packages must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 30

Please proofread your application package prior to submission.

In the file upload window, please upload your typed response to one of the following questions. Your response should be 250-500 words. Include your selected essay topic in the header of your document.

1. Who has most influenced your academic journey and how?
2. In what ways have you demonstrated a commitment to community service?
3. Describe your future plans and how your college education will support you in achieving your goals.

Please use the below fields to upload the required documents. As a reminder, failure to follow the criteria will automatically disqualify the applicant.