Background
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Delta Phi Omega (DPO) Chapter was chartered in 1948 and is located in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-Saint Paul). For more than seventy years, DPO members have provided educational enrichment, promoted mental and physical health, and strengthened families in the Twin Cities' community.
The Ivy Foundation, Incorporated is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), foundation that partners with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Delta Phi Omega Chapter. The foundation’s mission is to promote and support charitable and educational programs serving African American and Latino communities in the Twin Cities area. This is achieved by awarding academic scholarships, and promoting public awareness of academic, educational, and service programs and activities for students and their families.
Criteria
Interested candidates must meet the following criteria to qualify for a scholarship award:
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP (for graduating high school seniors):
- Identify as Black or African-American
- Resident of Minnesota
- High school graduating senior - Class of 2026
- Minimum cumulative, unweighted GPA of 3.0 (scale of 4.0)
- Demonstrated leadership and community service
- Acceptance to a two or four-year accredited institution of higher education or trade school in Fall 2026
- Scholarship funds will not be distributed until proof of full-time enrollment is received.
Instructions
All sections must be completed within this application to be considered for a scholarship. Documents to be uploaded in this application include:
- Resume
- Full unofficial high school transcript
- Essay
- Headshot
- Contact information for letters of recommendation
Resume, transcript, and essay must be in PDF format. Photos may be submitted as a PNG, JPEG, or PDF. Please label all uploaded files as such:
| RESUME |
UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT |
ESSAY |
PHOTO |
| 2026 AKA DPO SCHOL_ First and Last Name_Resume |
2026 AKA DPO SCHOL_First and Last Name_Transcript |
2026 AKA DPO SCHOL_First and Last Name_Essay |
2026 AKA DPO SCHOL_First and Last Name_Photo |
| Example: 2026 AKA DPO SCHOL_Jartue McCoy_Resume |
Example: 2026 AKA DPO SCHOL_Jartue McCoy_Transcript |
Example: 2026 AKA DPO SCHOL_Jartue McCoy_Essay |
Example: 2026 AKA DPO SCHOL_Jartue McCoy_Photo |
Resume
Resume must include:
- Name
- Objective statement
- Address
- Email address
- Phone number
- GPA
- Education
- Work experience, including job title(s) with a brief description of work duties
- Achievements, awards, and/or recognitions
- Community service
- Leadership roles or training
- Extracurricular activities
Transcript
Submit your full unofficial high school transcript including all four years and first semester of your senior year.
Essay
Submit a typed, single page essay with 12-point font, 1.5 spaced, and one-inch margins. Include your first and last name and title at the top. The essay must include a response to one of the three following prompts:
- In what ways do immigration policies in the United States affect the economy, society, and culture?
- How have active current event(s) significantly impacted your life?
- How do you think pursuing higher education will influence your future?
Headshot/Photos
Please include a recent headshot, senior photo, or "selfie" of yourself. By submitting a photo, you agree to the utilization of your photo in connection with scholarship-related activities, events, or recognition. You understand that your photo may be used for promotional or informational purposes, including but not limited to websites, social media, publications, presentations, and reports.
Letters of Recommendation (References)
Two letters of recommendation must be submitted via email only directly from the recommender. Letters must be typed and include a signature, date, and contact information. They should not be more than a year old and explain how you are acquainted with the recommender, your motivations, unique abilities, skills, and talents.
Please let your recommenders know that they will be receiving communication from Jartue McCoy, AKA DPO Scholarship Committee Chairman, to submit a letter of recommendation via the email address provided on this application. Letters of recommendation must be submitted via email by Tuesday March 17, 2026. Apply early!
Scholarship Award Amounts
Range: To be determined
Submission and Deadline
All application materials must be submitted by Tuesday March 17, 2026, 11:59 PM. Decision letters will be sent in April 2026.
Recognition Ceremony
Details of a recognition ceremony will be shared with scholarship recipients within the award letter.
Contact scholarship@akadpo.org with any questions.