2026 OAC Scholarship Application

2026 OAC Scholarship Application

Orlando Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
HISTORY OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded on January 13, 1913 at Howard University by twenty-two college-educated women committed to the constructive development of its members and to public service with a primary focus on the Black community. Information about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. may be found at www.deltasigmatheta.org.
HISTORY OF ORLANDO ALUMNAE CHAPTER

On February 20, 1954, The Orlando Alumnae Chapter (OAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was established. Since 1954, OAC has increased from nine charter members to over 250 members. The chapter continues to fulfill our Founders dreams of achieving excellence, providing scholarships, and rendering public service to the community. Additional information regarding the chapter and its many public service programs can be found at www.oacdst.org.
SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS & DISBURSEMENT
Award recipients will be notified and recognized at the Minerva Awards program no later than the end of April. The scholarship check will be disbursed to recipients upon receiving the registrar’s receipt and a class schedule from the post-secondary institution. Scholarship awards will be forfeited if documentation is not postmarked and mailed to OACDST by January 31st of the following year.
VISION OF THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
The Scholarship Committee, one of the standing committees of the Orlando Alumnae Chapter, is responsible for overseeing the Chapter’s Scholarship Program. The program’s objective is to annually award scholarships to graduating seniors from Orange County high schools who represent traditionally underrepresented communities. These students have demonstrated academic excellence and/or have used their talents to positively impact their communities through meaningful service.

SCHOLARSHIP AWARD LIST

Below are a list of potential OACDST scholarships that may be awarded:

Δ SADIE T.M. ALEXANDER: possess overall qualities of academic achievement, character, leadership, community involvement, and show projected educational long and short-range goals. Note: This is the highest-ranking scholarship awarded to the individual with the highest GPA and/or SAT/ACT score.

Δ PRESIDENTIAL: possess general qualifications and high academic achievement. Note: This is the second highest-ranking scholarship awarded to the individual with the second highest GPA and/or SAT/ACT score

Δ ** ALTAMESE PINDER: meet the general qualifications, aspire to major in education or a related discipline, and demonstrate financial need, and be a graduating senior of Jones High School.

Δ DELTA GEMS: general qualifications and be recommended by OAC’s Delta GEMS Chairperson.

Δ EMBODI: general qualifications and be recommended by OAC’s Delta EMBODI Chairperson.

Δ FORTITUDE: general qualifications and a compelling story of overcoming obstacles.

Δ ROSE DANIEL: general qualifications and aspire to major in education or a related discipline.

Δ FELDER/HARRISON: general qualifications and the highest number of documented community service hours.

Δ **NATALIE LITTLES: general qualifications and aspire to major in Business Administration. Possibly raised by grandparents and able to overcome adversity and succeed against enormous odds.

Δ ** CRIMSON RENAISSANCE DIAMOND EDITION: general qualifications and have the most elected leadership positions in community service.

Δ ** KITTY JEAN PATTERSON ELLISON SERVANT LEADERSHIP AWARD: a minimum G.P.A. of 2.5 and demonstrate a consistent and sustained record of community service in the Central Florida community.

Δ ** THIRTY-SIX DIMENSIONS OF A REDVOLUTION: 3.5 unweighted gpa. Quality and impactful community service involvement. Personal statement displaying leadership qualities.

Δ OPPORTUNITY AWARDS: Recipients may not have required GPA to meet general qualifications listed above, but must have documented community service hours and demonstrate a financial need.

Δ VOCATIONAL AWARDS: General qualifications and aspire to pursue vocational education and careers.

General Qualifications: reside within the OACDST service area, 3.0+ unweighted GPA (unless otherwise stated under the awards' criteria), documented community service hours on the transcript, and submission of highest college standardized test scores (SAT or ACT).

** denotes graduating seniors of members of OACDST are only eligible for these awards
SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for a scholarship, applicants must complete this application and:
- Attend one of the scholarship forums presented by OACDST. If you have not, you are automatically disqualified.
- Be a current graduating senior from an Orange County public or private school with a spring graduation date.
- Plan to enter an accredited two-year or four-year university, college, or vocational school as a full-time student by the following spring semester (additional acceptable institutions will be noted depending on scholarship, if applicable).
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Application Deadline: March 24, 2026

To be considered, make sure your packet includes the following materials listed below:
- One 4x6 professional photo (Senior photo is preferred without watermarks) of applicant for the Minerva Awards Program to be held on April 26, 2026.
- Your personal email address, such as Gmail, Yahoo, etc. (do not use your OCPS or school email address)
- Completed "Application Information" and sections I-V
- One-page essay that addresses one of the three given prompts (prompt #4 is optional)
- Official transcript, with or without the seal, that displays your GPA, community service hours, and standardized test scores
- In the case that your test scores are not reflected on your transcript, please include a copy from your College Board and/or ACT account (SAT and/or ACT Score Report must include your name)
- Two (2) Signed Letters of Recommendation on the recommender's organization letterhead
- Signed application from both the applicant and parent/guardian
*NOTE: Applications will not be returned.

If you have any questions, or encounter any issues with obtaining recommendation letters on letterhead or obtaining signatures, PRIOR TO THE STATED DEADLINE, please contact OACDST'S Scholarship Committee Chairpersons at scholarship@oacdst.org.
SPECIAL NOTE: This form may be saved and submitted later. At the bottom of each page, locate the “ SAVE” button. Once you click “SAVE”, a screen will prompt you to login. It is highly recommended that you login with a school-associated Google Account or select “Skip Create Account”. Jotform will email you a link to return and edit your application.

The online application will remain active as long as your browser is open. If you close your browser prior to saving or submitting the application, your information will be lost. A confirmation email will be sent following your scholarship submission along with a summary of the data submitted. If you have any questions on how to submit the application, please email scholarship@oacdst.org.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Applicant Information
Name

First NameLast Name
Date of Birth

MonthDayYear
Date
Gender

MaleFemale
Home Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Cell Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Personal Email (i.e., Gmail, Yahoo, etc.)
example@example.com
Are you a member of one of OACDST's youth initiatives?
Which OACDST Scholarship forum did you attend?

College Readiness (Fall)Career Fair (Spring)
Upload a professional photo for the Minerva Awards Program (Senior photo is preferred without watermarks).

Cancelof
Parent/Guardian Information
Is your mother a member of the Orlando Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.?

YesNo
1) Parent/Guardian's Name

First NameLast Name
Cell Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
2) Parent/Guardian's Name

First NameLast Name
Cell Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com
Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
High School Information: Current Seniors in Orange County ONLY
Name of High School
Name of School Counselor

First NameLast Name
School Counselor Work Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Phone Extension
Upload Transcript

**NOTE: All community service hours must be documented on the transcript to be considered
Cancelof
Upload Official SAT Score Report

**NOTE: Please include all test scores that you would like to be considered for superscoring purposes
Cancelof
Upload Official ACT Score Report

**NOTE: Please include all test scores that you would like to be considered for superscoring purposes
Cancelof

I. Post-Secondary Endeavors

Collegiate Choices

List the names of the top three schools for which you have been accepted to.

Rows	School #1	School #2	School #3
College/University
Field Of Study: Major
Field of Study: Minor

II. Letters of Recommendation

Two (2) Recommendation Letters: Criteria

Recommendation letters must be: dated within the current school year, signed, on company letterhead, and must have the recommenders contact information.
- Letter of Recommendation #1- High School Counselor or Teacher
- Letter must include:
  - Length of time and the capacity in which they have known the applicant including his/her characteristics
  - Scholastic achievements and/or leadership involvements that qualify the applicant for an award
- Letter of Recommendation #2- Community Leader
- Letter must include:
  - Length of time for which they have known the applicant and in what capacity
  - Reputable community service activities/involvement, insight to the applicant's characteristics, leadership skills, and other information that will add value to the applicant’s packet as a whole.
  - *NOTE: if a church leader writes the letter, it must be in regards to active service in the local community. This does NOT include church involvement or programs regarding different auxiliaries such as choir, usher, praise team, annual concerts, etc.
Recommender #1

First NameLast Name
Email of Recommender #1
example@example.com
Letter of Recommendation #1*

Cancelof
Recommender #2

First NameLast Name
Email of Recommender #2
example@example.com
Letter of Recommendation #2*

Cancelof

III. Essay

Prompt and Requirements: Type a one-page, 400-500 word essay, addressing the prompt above the text box. Note the following directions.

Choose one (1) prompt, either #1, #2, or #3, to focus your essay on.

Prompt #4: this is an optional additional essay to be considered for the Fortitude Scholarship. (the scholarship's criteria is on the 2nd page)
1. SOCIETY - What do you consider to be society’s biggest issue and how can you help the community overcome it through programming, service, and/or your career goals?

0/500
2. VOLUNTEERING - What community service organization or activity have you participated in that has meant the most to you? Who or what prompted you to work with them? How do you plan to use your experience to help guide your future endeavors?

0/500
3. COVID AFTERMATH -As a middle schooler, you experienced the COVID‑19 pandemic during a major stage of growing up. Write about the moment you realized it changed the way you moved through the world — how you interacted with others, how you approached school, and how you viewed your community and the future. Think about the visible and invisible effects: shifting friendships, new ways of learning, changes at home, or how technology shaped your daily life. Let your emotions guide your reflection as you consider how these experiences still influence who you are now, especially as graduation approaches.

0/500
4. OPTIONAL: Additional Essay to be considered for the FORTITUDE SCHOLARSHIP: HARDSHIP- Recount a time in your life when you were/are faced with an unforeseen hardship. How did you handle it, what did you learn, and how will the experience impact the next four years of college?

0/500

IV. High School Accomplishments and Involvement

High School Honors, Awards, Recognitions

Rows	Honor, Award, Recognition	Year(s) Received
1.
2.
3.
4.
5

High School “Leadership” Positions Held

Rows	Club/Organization	Elected Position Held Year (i.e., Pres., Sec., Treas., etc.)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5

High School Organizations (NOT including the ones listed under leadership)

Rows	Club/Organization	Position Held & Year
1.
2.
3.
4.
5

V. Community Service & Involvement (non-school involvement)

List the non-school related community organization memberships, involvement and/or offices you have held. If you have more than three organizations print another sheet and add it/them as an attachment.

**NOTE: Community service hours will ONLY be counted if they are documented on the official transcript (public schools) or independent letter (private schools only)
Organization
Position/Office/Role
Organization's Mission
Explain your role/responsibility:
Dates of Involvement
Organization
Position/Office/Role
Organization's Mission
Explain your role/responsibility:
Dates of Involvement
Organization
Position/Office/Role
Organization's Mission
Explain your role/responsibility:
Dates of Involvement

Please provide any additional information here:
~ Applicant and Parent/Guardian Signature ~

I hereby certify that all of the information provided in this application packet is, to the best of my knowledge, true and correct. I am aware that any misstatements or other inaccuracies could disqualify me from consideration for a scholarship. I understand I will not have my application packet returned.
Applicant Signature
Date

MonthDayYear
Date
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date

MonthDayYear
Date
Should be Empty:

2026 OAC Scholarship Application

One 4x6 professional photo (Senior photo is preferred without watermarks) of applicant for the Minerva Awards Program to be held on April 26, 2026.

Your personal email address, such as Gmail, Yahoo, etc. (do not use your OCPS or school email address)

Completed "Application Information" and sections I-V

One-page essay that addresses one of the three given prompts (prompt #4 is optional)

Official transcript, with or without the seal, that displays your GPA, community service hours, and standardized test scores

In the case that your test scores are not reflected on your transcript, please include a copy from your College Board and/or ACT account (SAT and/or ACT Score Report must include your name)

Two (2) Signed Letters of Recommendation on the recommender's organization letterhead