2026 Achieving Standards of Excellence Foundation Scholarship Application

The Achieving Standards

of

Excellence Foundation (ASOEF)

Works with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® ,

Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter

Scholarship Application

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

The Achieving Standards of Excellence Foundation invites you to submit an application for the 2026 scholarship season. A total of twenty-six (26) scholarships will be awarded to female and male students in Columbus and the surrounding areas. Please note that applicants must be seniors meeting state requirements for a traditional diploma and enrolling in college in the fall of 2026.

SCHOLARSHIP HISTORY

The Achieving Standards of Excellence Foundation (ASOEF) was founded by the members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®- Alpha Sigma Omega Chapter in 2002. The primary motivation for starting the Achieving Standards of Excellence Foundation was that of having a charitable organization that through a variety of funding channels could offer more programming to encourage and assist individuals in achieving educational excellence.

The Achieving Standards of Excellence Foundation has a name that speaks to its main purpose, that of promoting, recognizing, and rewarding the achievement of excellence in academics. The Foundation promotes high levels of academic success at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

The Foundation has a second purpose, namely mentoring young ladies. This effort is currently conducted under the auspices of our AKAdette program which serves 20-30 high school young ladies who remain in the group through graduation and receive a combination of knowledge, skill, and community service provider experiences during their participation.

A third purpose of the Achieving Standards of Excellence Foundation is that of serving the community. To this end, the Foundation assists several groups throughout the year with food give-away, Christmas toy sorting and bagging, and tutoring.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated® is an international service organization that was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African-American college-educated women. The sorority was founded on the principle of “SERVICE TO ALL MANKIND” and has worked to improve social and economic conditions of all--locally, nationally, and internationally.

Alpha Kappa Alpha has a membership of more than 300,000 women in the United States, West Africa, South Africa, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Korea. There are over 1005 chapters, many of them on college campuses throughout the United States.

Annually the sorority donates more than $1,500,000 in scholarships. Locally, scholarships will be awarded through our Columbus chapter, Alpha Sigma Omega, and our Achieving Standards of Excellence Foundation.

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ESSAY REQUIREMENT
The essay must be typed 10pt or 12pt, Arial or Times New Roman font and double-spaced (if uploaded via the online form) or typed in the space provided. *Be sure to include the essay question at the top of your essay page*

Please choose one of the following:

1. The U.S. is experiencing deep political divisions. What role do you think young leaders can play in bridging divides and building common ground?

2. How do you think AI (such as ChatGPT and other tools) should be used in education? What are the benefits and risks, and how should students balance technology with critical thinking?

3. New technologies like AI raise ethical questions. In your opinion, what responsibilities do students, educators, and leaders have in making sure AI is used fairly and responsibly?

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION & TRANSCRIPT
One (1) letter of recommendation must be submitted via email directly to aso.scholarship@gmail.com from a member of the academic community (e.g., Teachers, School Counselors, or Principals) or civic/community leaders. The letter of recommendation should be a brief statement describing the student's character and motivation toward success. Subject Line: LOR & Your Name

An official transcript must be signed by your School Counselor and emailed to aso.scholarship@gmail.com from your School Counselor. Subject Line: Transcript & Your Name

DEADLINE
The application, transcript, and letter of recommendation must be submitted by Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

ADDITIONAL DATES (for future planning) *please note that dates are subject to change. More details to come.
- Saturday, March 28th - Scholarship Workshop (in-person)
- Saturday, April 11th - Scholarship Interviews (in-person)
- TBD - ASOEF Scholarship Awards (in-person)
*If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Scholarship Committee at aso.scholarship@gmail.com
Personal Information
Scholarship Application
Name:*

First NameLast Name
Birth Date:*

MonthDayYear
Mobile Number:*

Area CodePhone Number
E-mail Address:*
example@example.com (do not use a school email address)
Address:*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Parent/Guardian Name:*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Parent/ Guardian Email:*
example@example.com
Professional Headshot:*

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Please provide us with a professional headshot (no selfies please!) Cancelof

Education Background
Name of High School:*
Is your high school a part of the Columbus City Schools District? *
(Enter Y-yes or N-no)
Address of High School:*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
School Counselor Name:*

First NameLast Name
School Counselor Email:*
example@example.com
Anticipated Graduation Date:*

MonthDayYear
Date

Please Complete the Following (enter "0" if not applicable):*

	GPA (unweighted)	Class Rank	SAT Score	ACT Score
#

Colleges To Which You Have Applied:*
First Choice & Second Choice & Third College Choice:*
Please List HBCU next to college choice if applicable.
Intended College Major(s)*
Extra-Curricular Activities
High School (clubs, organizations, athletic teams, offices held, awards, etc.) *
Community Service (organizations, community activities, church, offices held, awards, etc. including hours served)*
Work Experience:*
Resume:

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Please upload your resume if you would like to submit; however, it is not required. Cancelof

Essay
The essay must be typed, 10pt or 12pt font, double-spaced in Arial or Times New Roman font, and no longer than one (1) page. Please upload via the form below.

Please choose one of the following:

1. The U.S. is experiencing deep political divisions. What role do you think young leaders can play in bridging divides and building common ground?

2. How do you think AI (such as ChatGPT and other tools) should be used in education? What are the benefits and risks, and how should students balance technology with critical thinking?

3. New technologies like AI raise ethical questions. In your opinion, what responsibilities do students, educators, and leaders have in making sure AI is used fairly and responsibly?
Essay Submission:*

Browse Files

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Application Submission
By signing this form you aknowledge that by participating in any events sponsored by The Achieving Standards of Excellence Foundation and/or Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® & may result in the use of your name, image, and is likely to be printed and/or used in electronic materials for the sole purpose of your participation in and with the Scholarship Committee.

*If under the age of 18, must have a parent or guardian sign the application.**

**Use your finger or computer mouse to sign the application.
Signature*

Clear
You have reached the end of the ASOEF Scholarship Application for 2026! Please review all of your answers for accuracy and submit them when completed.

You will receive a confirmation email when we have received your application and we will be in touch if you are selected to move forward to the next round. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to email us at aso.scholarship@gmail.com

Your Scholarship Chairmen,
Pam Cunningham & Valerie Mitchell
Should be Empty: