2025 Scholarship Application

Date

YearMonthDay
Date
The 2026 Scholarship Application is closed.
The Federal City Alumnae Chapter

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

2026 Scholarship Application

This application consists of the following scholarships:

Pearl Scholarship

Heritage Scholarship

Aspiring Scholarship

Presidential Scholarship

Rising Scholar Scholarship

Submission Deadline:

*Must be received by 11:59 PM on Thursday, January 29, 2026
DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was founded on January 13, 1913, by twenty-two collegiate women at Howard University to promote academic excellence and provide assistance to those in need. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated is a private, not-for-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. Since its founding more than 300,000 women have joined the organization. The organization is a sisterhood of predominantly Black, college educated women. The sorority currently has over 1,000 collegiate and alumnae chapters located in the United States, England, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Republic of Korea, the Middle East, Southern Africa, and West Africa.
THE FEDERAL CITY ALUMNAE CHAPTER

The Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is an organization of college-educated women committed to constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community throughout the District of Columbia.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The FCAC Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to African-American, District of Columbia high school (public, private, or charter) students in the pursuit of a post-secondary education.

The scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic excellence, leadership, and community service. This application consists of the following scholarships.
- The Pearl Scholarship is awarded to African-American, District of Columbia high school students, who are also District of Columbia residents, entering any accredited college or university as a full-time student in the upcoming academic year as a freshman.
- The Heritage Scholarship is awarded to African American, District of Columbia high school students, who are also District of Columbia residents, entering any accredited HBCU as a full-time student in the upcoming academic year as a freshman.
- The Aspiring Scholarship (Delta GEMS, Embodi, or FCAC High School Program Participant) is awarded to African American, District of Columbia high school students, who are also District of Columbia residents, who have participated in FCAC’s Delta GEMS, Embodi, or designated FCAC High School program with aspirations of attending any accredited college or university as a full-time student in the upcoming academic year as a freshman.
- The Presidential Scholarship is named in honor of the FCAC Presidents whose divine leadership has guided the chapter, from the chartering through present day. The scholarship is awarded to African American, District of Columbia high school students, who are also District of Columbia residents, entering any accredited college or university as a freshman. The students must demonstrate they have taken charge to guide others based on criteria set forth by the Scholarship committee.
- The Rising Scholar Scholarship is awarded to African American, District of Columbia high school students, who are also District of Columbia residents, who will be attending an accredited Community College, or certified Vocational or Trade School, or Technical School with the intention of receiving an Associate degree or obtaining a license or certification in their respective fields.
Scholarship award decisions of The FCAC are final. Payment of The FCAC Scholarship awards will be directed to the college or university on behalf of the award recipient upon verification of enrollment as a full-time student. Funds are forwarded as a one-time award, payable in full, to be applied toward tuition, room and board, fees, and books only. Funds will not be directed in any other manner.

The FCAC reserves the right to adjust the scholarship award of any recipient who has received full payment of tuition, room, board, and fees from other scholarships or grants.

NOTE: Children and grandchildren of The FCAC financial members must provide The FCAC financial member's name and Delta membership ID Number to be eligible for consideration of The FCAC Scholarship.
SELECTION CRITERIA

To be considered for The FCAC Scholarship Award, the applicant must:
1. Be a permanent resident of the District of Columbia;
2. Be African-American;
3. Be a graduating senior from a District of Columbia high school (public, private, or charter);
4. Have applied or been accepted to enter an accredited four-year university or college as a fulltime student in the school year immediately following the scholarship award;
5. Have applied or been accepted to enter an accredited Community College, or certified Vocational or Trade School, or Technical School (Rising Scholar Scholarship)
6. Have a scholastic average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale through the end of the second quarter of their high school senior year;
7. Complete the application in accordance with the application guidelines.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants will be evaluated based on academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, community service, a written essay, and letters of recommendation.

Scholarship applicants must submit the following:
1. A complete application with required electronic signatures.
2. One (1) academic letter of recommendation from a school official. The academic letter of recommendation must be typed, signed and dated, and should be on the school’s official letterhead. The academic letter of recommendation must be written by one of the following school offiicials:
  - Principal
  - Assistant principal
  - Counselor
  - Teacher
  - Advisor
  - Organization lead
  - Athletic coach
3. One (1) professional letter of recommendation from a non-family member. The professional letter of recommendation must be typed, signed and dated, and should be on the orgnization's official letterhead. The professional letter of recommendation must be written by an official from one of the following catergories:
  - Community service
  - Employment history
  - Extracurricular activity
4. An official high school transcript.
5. A typed essay response to the following statement:
  Explain why The FCAC should provide financial assistance to support your pursuit of a post-secondary education. Be sure your essay includes examples of the following:
  - Academic excellence
  - Extracurricular activities
  - Leadership experience and skills
  - Contributions to the improvement of the community through service
6. The essay must not exceed a 500 word limit.
7. Application and all materials MUST be received by 11:59 PM on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Secure essay, transcripts, and letters of recommendation early. DO NOT send application materials in several separate submissions. Letters of recommendation that have a confidentiality policy can be emailed to the the Scholarship Committee at scholarship@thefcacdst.org with the student's name in the subject line. Please direct all questions to the Scholarship Committee at scholarship@thefcacdst.org.
**APPLICATIONS NOT COMPLETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS WILL BE DEEMED INELIGIBLE.

All application materials upon submission become property of The FCAC.

The applicant and his or her parent/guardian must authorize release of any and all information relative to the application process. The FCAC will generally use portions of this information to highlight the applicant pool, and achievements of scholarship award recipients.
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION INSTRUCTIONS

To the Recommending School Official (e.g. principal, assistant principal, counselor, teacher, advisor, organization lead or athletic coach): The student listed herein is applying for a scholarship from The Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. We would appreciate your candid assessment of the applicant’s academic performance, maturity, oral and written communication skills, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, leadership skills, and interpersonal skills. In your letter of recommendation, please also include the length of your acquaintance with the applicant, the subject or courses taught, dates of instruction, and a telephone number or email address where you may be reached. Your letter of recommendation must be prepared on the school's official stationery and include your signature. You must return your letter of recommendation to the applicant for submission in the applicant’s packet. Letters of recommendation that have a confidentiality policy can be emailed to the the Scholarship Committee at scholarship@thefcacdst.org with the student's name in the subject line.

To the Recommending Professional Official (e.g. community service, employment history, or extracurricular activity): The student listed herein is applying for a scholarship from The Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. We would appreciate your candid assessment of the applicant’s performance, maturity, oral and written communication skills, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, leadership skills, and interpersonal skills. In your letter of recommendation, please also include the length and dates of your acquaintance with the applicant, the capacity to which you have known the applicant, and a telephone number or email address where you may be reached. Your letter of recommendation must be prepared on the organization's official stationery and include your signature. You must return your letter of recommendation to the applicant for submission in the applicant’s packet. Letters of recommendation that have a confidentiality policy can be emailed to the the Scholarship Committee at scholarship@thefcacdst.org with the student's name in the subject line.
How did you find out about the scholarship program?*

High School CounselorSocial MediaMember of Delta Sigma Theta SororityChurchLibraryChapter/Community EventNational Panhellenic CouncilOther

APPLICANT INFORMATION
Student's Name*

First NameLast Name
Student's Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Student's Personal Email*
example@example.com
Student's Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Student Birth Date

MonthDayYear
Gender*

MaleFemaleNonBinaryGender non-conforming
Ethnicity *
Name of High School*
Academic GPA*
Name of Parent/Guardian*

First NameLast Name
Email of Parent/Guardian*
example@example.com
Phone Number of Parent/Guardian*

Area CodePhone Number
Do you have a mother or grandmother who is a financial member of The FCAC?*

YesNo
Name of the Mother or Grandmother who is a financial member of The FCAC*

First NameLast Name
Delta Membership ID Number for the Mother or Grandmother who is a financial member of The FCAC*

CONSIDERATION PREFERENCE
This application consists of the following scholarships.
- The Pearl Scholarship is awarded to African-American, District of Columbia high school students, who are also District of Columbia residents, entering any accredited college or university as a full-time student in the upcoming academic year as a freshman.
- The Heritage Scholarship is awarded to African American, District of Columbia high school students, who are also District of Columbia residents, entering any accredited HBCU as a full-time student in the upcoming academic year as a freshman.
- The Aspiring Scholarship (Delta GEMS, Embodi, or FCAC High School Program Participant) is awarded to African American, District of Columbia high school students, who are also District of Columbia residents, who have participated in FCAC’s Delta GEMS or designated FCAC High School program with aspirations of attending any accredited college or university as a full-time student in the upcoming academic year as a freshman.
- The Presidential Scholarship is named in honor of the FCAC Presidents whose divine leadership has guided the chapter, from the chartering through present day. The scholarship is awarded to African American, District of Columbia high school students, who are also District of Columbia residents, entering any accredited college or university as a freshman. The students must demonstrate they have taken charge to guide others based on criteria set forth by the Scholarship committee.
- The Rising Scholar Scholarship is awarded to African American, District of Columbia high school students, who are also District of Columbia residents, who will be attending an accredited Community College, or certified Vocational or Trade School, or Technical School with the intention of receiving an Associate degree or obtaining a license or certification in their respective fields.
Please indicate for which scholarship you would like to be considered.*

Pearl ScholarshipHeritage ScholarshipAspiring ScholarshipPresidential ScholarshipRising Scholar Scholarship

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Intended Major, License or Certification*
Career Goals*

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

COMMUNITY SERVICE

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Academic Letter of Recommendation Upload

Browse Files
Academic Letter of Recommendation upload must be on the school's official letterhead signed, and dated. Letters of recommendation that have a confidentiality policy can be email to the scholarship committee at scholarship@thefcacdst.org with the student's name in the subject line by the deadline. Cancelof
Professional Letter of Recommendation Upload

Browse Files
Professional Letter of Recommendation upload must be on the organization's official letterhead signed, and dated. Letters of recommendation that have a confidentiality policy can be email to the scholarship committee at scholarship@thefcacdst.org with the student's name in the subject line by the deadline. Cancelof

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT
Official Transcript Upload *

Browse Files

Cancelof

ESSAY
Essay Upload *

Browse Files

Cancelof

STUDENT CERTIFICATION
I First Name* Last Name* affirm on Date* that all information provided herein is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. Misrepresentation or the submission of inaccurate or incomplete information will result in disqualification or forfeiture of any award.
PARENT/GUARDIAN CERTIFICATION
I First Name* Last Name* affirm on Date* that all information provided herein is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. Misrepresentation or the submission of inaccurate or incomplete information will result in disqualification or forfeiture of any award.

PACKET CHECKLIST
Application and all materials MUST be received by 11:59 PM on Friday, January 9, 2026. Secure letters of recommendation, transcripts, and essay early. DO NOT send application materials in several separate submissions. Letters of recommendation that have a confidentiality policy can be emailed to the the Scholarship Committee at scholarship@thefcacdst.org with the student's name in the subject line. Please direct all questions to the Scholarship Committee at scholarship@thefcacdst.org.
Be sure to include the following before clicking the submit button.

Completed ApplicationCompleted CertificationOne Letter of Recommendation from School OfficialOne Letter of Recommendation from Professional OfficialOfficial TranscriptEssay
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DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

APPLICANT INFORMATION

CONSIDERATION PREFERENCE

COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

COMMUNITY SERVICE

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

ESSAY

STUDENT CERTIFICATION

PARENT/GUARDIAN CERTIFICATION

PACKET CHECKLIST