2025 Torch of Wisdom and Renewable Scholarship Application

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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:

Torch of Wisdom Scholarship

Renewable Scholarship

*Only 2025 Scholarship Recipients may apply for the

Renewable 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 residents in the pursuit of 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 Torch of Wisdom Scholarship is awarded to African American, District of Columbia residents, who have been out of college for at least 5 years and are returning in the pursuit of a baccalaureate degree or attending an accredited four-year university leading to a degree or program leading to a certificate.
- The Renewable Scholarship is awarded to African American, college/university students, who are also District of Columbia residents, and be a previous FCAC Scholarship Award recipient, have completed their freshman year, and have continuous full-time enrollment for the past academic years. Only 2025 Scholarship Recipients may apply.
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 Torch of Wisdom Scholarship, the applicant must:
1. Be a permanent resident of the District of Columbia;
2. Be African-American;
3. Have been out of college for at least 5 years;
4. Have a scholastic average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale through the end of the last year enrolled at an accredited four-year university leading to a degree or program leading to a certificate;
5. Be attending an accredited four-year university leading to a degree or program leading to a certificate;
6. Have completed at least one semester of college/university since returning;
7. Complete the application in accordance with the application guidelines.
To be considered for the Renewable Scholarship, the applicant must:
1. Be a permanent resident of the District of Columbia;
2. Be African-American;
3. Be a previous FCAC Scholarship Award recipient, have completed their freshman year, and have continuous full-time enrollment for the past academic year;
4. Have a scholastic average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale;
5. 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 for the Torch of Wisdom Scholarship:
1. A complete application with required electronic signatures.
2. Two (2) professional letters of recommendation from a non-family member. The professional letters 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
  - Counselor
  - Teacher
  - Advisor
  - Organization lead
  - Athletic coach
3. An official college/univesity transcript.
4. 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
5. The essay must not exceed a 500 word limit.
6. 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.
Scholarship applicants must submit the following for the Renewable Scholarship:
1. A complete application with required electronic signatures.
2. One (1) academic letter of recommendation from a school official.
3. 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:
  - Counselor
  - Teacher
  - Advisor
  - Organization lead
  - Athletic coach
4. 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
5. An official college transcript.
6. A typed essay response to the following statement:
7. Explain why The FCAC should provide financial assistance to support your pursuit of a baccalaureate degree. 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
8. The essay must not exceed a 500 word limit.
9. 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 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 College/University*
Academic GPA*
Do you have a mother or grandmother who is a financial member of The FCAC?*

YesNo
Name of 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 Torch of Wisdom Scholarship is awarded to African American, District of Columbia residents, who have been out of college for at least 5 years and are returning in the pursuit of a baccalaureate degree or attending an accredited four-year university leading to a degree or program leading to a certificate.
- The Renewable Scholarship is awarded to African American, college/universtity students, who are also District of Columbia residents, and be a previous FCAC Scholarship Award recipient, have completed their freshman year, and have continuous full-time enrollment for the past academic years. Only 2025 Scholarship Recipients may apply.
Please indicate for which scholarship you would like to be considered.*

Torch of Wisdom ScholarshipRenewable Scholarship

COLLEGE ENROLLMENT
List the University/College to which you are enrolled and include the city and state or country where the school is located.

College/University City, State or Country

1.
Major
Career Goals

	College/University	City, State or Country
1.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

COMMUNITY SERVICE

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION
Letter of Recommendation Upload

Browse Files
Letter of Recommendation upload must be on official letterhead signed, and dated. Letter 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
Letter of Recommendation Upload

Browse Files
Letter of Recommendation upload must be on official letterhead signed, and dated. Letter 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

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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.

PACKET CHECKLIST
Application and all materials MUST be received by 11:59 PM on Thursday, January 29, 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 CertificationTwo Letters of RecommendationOfficial TranscriptEssay
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	Community Service Organization Name	Positions Held	Brief Description of Responsibilities	Number of Community Service Hours Completed
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Torch of Wisdom Scholarship

Renewable Scholarship

DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

APPLICANT INFORMATION

CONSIDERATION PREFERENCE

COLLEGE ENROLLMENT

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

COMMUNITY SERVICE

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

ESSAY

STUDENT CERTIFICATION

PACKET CHECKLIST