Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

P.O. Box 4310 • Arlington, VA 22204-9998 •

Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated

Scholarship Application Guidelines and Requirements

In2018, the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter (NoVAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, in affiliation with its fiscal sponsor,the Northern Virginia Delta Education and Community Service (NVDECS) Foundation, will award up to $20,000 in scholarships to outstanding students residing in our service area: City of Alexandria, Arlington County, City of Falls Church, City of Fairfax, and the portion of Fairfax County that has an Alexandria mailing address.

The educational initiatives of the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated are a significant aspect of the chapter’s activities. All scholarship recipients must demonstrate academic potential, citizenship/leadership, school activities/honors, community involvement and activities, financial need, and must attend an accredited college or university in the United States.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a NoVACScholarship, an applicant must:

1. Reside in the NoVAC service area, which includes: the City of Alexandria, Arlington County, City of Falls Church, City of Fairfax, and the portion of Fairfax County that has a City of Alexandria mailing address.
2. Be a graduating high school senior in the 2017-2018academic school year.
3. Submitted a formal application to enroll with intent to attend a college or university accredited by one of the regional commissions within the six geographic areas that cover the United States and participate in a curriculum leading to a bachelor’s degree.
4. Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or greater on a 4.0 scale, or a 3.5 or greater on a 5.0 scale, as verified by an official high school transcript or by an accompanying certification from an appropriate school official (e.g. School Registrar or Guidance Counselor).
5. Score at least 1200 (for test administrations BEFORE March 2016) or a minimum 1100 on the SAT (for test administrations AFTER March 2016) or 18 on the ACT. For test administrations BEFORE March 2016, the SAT score must be comprised of total points from the critical reading, writing, and mathematics sections of the test from a single testing date. For test administrations AFTER March 2016, the SAT score must be comprised of total points from the reading and writing and mathematics sections of the test from a single testing date.
6. Complete and pass all necessary standardized tests for graduation.

Scholarship Application Requirements

1. All applications must be POSTMARKED(for U.S. Postal Service submissions)or TIMESTAMPED(for electronic mail submissions) ON or BEFORE11:59:59 PM ET, March 10, 2018. An application is not complete until NoVAC receives ALL required documents via U.S. Postal Service or electronic submissionON or BEFORE 11:59:59 PM ET, March 10, 2018. Incomplete or late applications will NOT be accepted or considered for a NoVAC Scholarship Award.Applicants may submit completed applications, résumés, financial need documentation, essays, test scores, and letters of recommendation via email to or the U.S.Postal Service to the address below. Official transcripts must be mailed to:

Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Attn: Scholarship Committee

P.O. Box 4310

Arlington, VA 22204-9998

1. Applicants must typeALL responses on the application. NoVAC will NOT accept handwritten applications.
2. Applicants must answer ALL questions on the application. If a section does not apply, write “NONE” or “N/A” (for not applicable). Applicants may submit additional pages if more space is needed. The applicant MUST put his/her full name on all additional pages.
3. Applications are not considered complete if not signed and dated by the applicant ANDa parent/guardian.
4. The following must be submitted to be considered a complete application:
5. An official academic transcript (displaying the official school seal) with a cumulative grade point average ORsigned by an appropriate school administrator (e.g. School Registrar or Guidance Counselor) in a sealed envelope
6. The current high school transcript must include Grades 9-11 and all available senior year grades
7. A copy of official documentation of SAT/ACT scores must be submitted with the application. This may be a copy of the official score report sent by the College Board and/or ACT, Inc. or an official high school academic transcript with test scores. For test administrations BEFORE March 2016, the SAT score must be comprised of total points from the critical reading, writing, and mathematics sections of the test from a single testing date. For test administrations AFTER March 2016, the SAT score must be comprised of total points from the reading and writing and mathematics sections of the test from a single testing date.No updated test scores, academic scores, or rankings will be accepted by NoVAC after the application due date.
8. A copy of applicant’s FAFSA Student Aid Report which includes the student’s calculated EFC (estimated family contribution). Applicant MUST submit a copy of the FAFSA Student Aid Report even if the family is not requesting federal assistance for financial aid. Applicants that fail to submit a FAFSA Student Aid Report with their application will NOT be evaluated by NoVAC. Applicants will need information from their parent(s)/guardian(s)/family 2017 Federal Income Tax Return to complete the FAFSA.
9. Essays addressing the prompt focused on NoVAC’s fundraising theme(REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS)andthe Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) essay for applicants anticipating matriculating in an undergraduate program leading to a degree in STEM (ONLY FOR APPLICANTS REQUESTING CONSIDERATION FOR THE STEM SCHOLARSHIP).
10. NoVAC doesNOT accept handwritten essays. All essays must be typed. Applicants must write the essay in English and use appropriate grammar, spelling, syntax, and punctuation. All sources must be appropriately cited using American Psychological Association (APA) or Modern Language Association (MLA) format. All essays must be double spaced, written in 11 or 12 pitch using Times New Roman, Arial, or Garamondfont, and between 500-800 words.Applicants must attest that the essay(s) is/are a reflection of their own work and has not been edited by anyone other than the applicant and that no one else has provided the applicant with suggestions to improve the essay.
11. Résumé: applicants MUST submit a résumé identifying any work experience, school and extracurricular activities/awards/honors.
12. Two signed and dated letters of recommendation on official letterhead from:
13. A teacher, guidance counselor, principal or other school administratorAND
14. A community leader (non-school related activity)

NOTE: Persons writing letters of recommendation must specify relationship or capacity in which he/she knows or have observed the applicant. Unsigned letters will NOT be accepted and the application will be deemed incomplete by NoVAC. Form letters are NOT acceptable.

Important Dates

It is the sole responsibility of each applicant and their parent(s)/guardian(s) to be cognizant of all dates and deadlines.

The Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated doesNOT accept or consider any incomplete or late applications. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.

December 10, 2017Release of 2018 NoVAC Scholarship Application

March 10, 20182018 Scholarship Application Due: Postmarked (U.S. Postal Service submissions)or time stampedON or BEFORE 11:59:59 PM ET (for electronic mail submissions)

April2018Applicant Notification of Scholarship Awards

May 5, 2018Sixth Annual NoVAC Trailblazer Awards & Scholarship Luncheon

Evaluation Procedure

All completed applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the NoVAC Scholarship Committee and the NoVAC President. Incomplete and non-qualifying applications will not be considered. Each application is assessed on academic achievement, leadership and citizenship, school activities/honors, community involvement and activities, and demonstrated financial need.

Awards

The number of NoVAC scholarship recipients and award amounts will be determined by availability of funds. Awards are for the first two semesters of undergraduate study.

Notification of Recipients

Final approval and notification of each scholarship recipient will be made by NoVACin April 2018.

Selected scholarship recipients will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding betweenNoVACand its fiscal sponsor,NVDECS, prior to receiving any scholarship award.

The scholarship award recipients must remain in good academic and disciplinary standing and provide original school transcripts to continue a scholarship award.

Scholarship awards are paid directly to the college or university where the recipient will be attending and may only be applied toward tuition, books, room and board, meal tickets, and other fees.

Scholarship recipients are encouraged to contact a tax advisor for assistance related to the taxability of scholarship awards or see IRS Publication 970 – Tax Benefits for Education for additional information. NoVAC, and its fiscal sponsor, NVDECS,are not responsible for providing tax advice.

Additional Information

Recipients and one parent/guardian will be expected to attend the Sixth Annual NoVAC Trailblazer Awards & Scholarship Luncheon on May 5, 2018, for the presentation of the scholarship awards.

Applications and supporting documentation are considered confidential and are reviewed only by the NoVAC Scholarship Committee and the NoVAC President. No information will be returned and becomes the property of NoVAC.

NoVAC has the right to refuse and/or retract any scholarship application or scholarship award during the evaluation, award, or post award process. Refusal/retraction may be based on, but not limited to, unfactual and incorrect information provided in the application or failure to meet any of the requirements.

P.O. Box 4310 • Arlington, VA 22204-9998 •

2018NoVAC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Scholarship Application Deadline: March 10, 2018

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE TYPED

ONLY COMPLETED APPLICATIONS WITH REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED BY DEADLINE WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR AN AWARD

AppLICANT INFORMATION
Full Name:
Preferred Name:
Home Address:
City: / State: VA / Zip Code:
PRIMARY PHONE NUMBER: / SECONDARY PHONE NUMBER:
DATE OF BIRTH:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION
MOTHER’S/GUARDIAN’s Name:
MOTHER’S/GUARDIAN’s Address:
City: / State: / Zip Code:
PRIMARY PHONE NUMBER: / SECONDARY PHONE NUMBER:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
MOTHER’S/GUARDIAN’S OCCUPATION:
FATHER’S/GUARDIAN’s Name:
FATHER’S/GUARDIAN’s Address:
City: / State: / Zip Code:
PRIMARY PHONE NUMBER: / SECONDARY PHONE NUMBER:
EMAIL ADDRESS:
FATHER’S/GUARDIAN’s OCCUPATION:
AppLICANT CURRENT LIVING STATUS: SELECT THE APPLICABLE BOX
☐i live with both parents
☐I LIVE AT HOME WITH MY MOTHER AND sTEPFATHER / ☐I LIVE AT HOME WITH MY FATHER AND STEPMOTHER
☐I LIVE IN A SINGLE PARENT HOUSHOLD WITH MY MOTHER / ☐I LIVE IN A SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLD WITH MY FATHER
☐I LIVE WITH A GUARDIAN(s)
☐i HAVE OTHER living arrangements (sibling/granparent/OTHER FAMILY mEMBER) PLEASE EXPLAIN:
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
SCHOOL NAME:
SCHOOL ADDRESS:
CITY: / STATE: / ZIP CODE:
EXPECTED DATE OF GRADUATION:
COUNSELOR NAME:
SCHOOL aCTIVITIES: list all schOOL ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION DURING YOUR HIGH SCHOOL CAREER (sTUDENT GOVERNMENT, SPORTS, BAND, CLUBS, ETC.)
aCTIVITY / YEARS OF PARTICIPATION / oFFICES/LEADERSHIP POSiTIONS HELD
Employment: list all PAID and UNPAID EMPLOYMENT DURING YOUR HIGH SCHOOL CAREER (THIS MAY INCLUDE INTERNSHIPS)
employer:
Employer address
(CITY, STATE): / DATES OF EMPLOYMENT
(MM/YY-MM/YY):
Position: / Hours/WEEK:
employer:
Employer address
(CITY, STATE): / DATES OF EMPLOYMENT
(MM/YY-MM/YY):
Position: / Hours/WEEK:
employer:
Employer address
(CITY, STATE): / DATES OF EMPLOYMENT
(MM/YY-MM/YY):
Position: / Hours/WEEK:
EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES: list all EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION DURING YOUR HIGH SCHOOL CAREER (BOY SCOUTS/GIRL SCOUTS, SPECIAL OLYMPICS, CHURCH/SYNANGOGUE/TEMPLE, VOLUNTEER WORK, etc.)
aCTIVITY / YEARS OF PARTICIPATION / oFFICES/LEADERSHIP POSITIONS HELD
SPECIAL HONORS/AWARDS: list all special honors and awards received during your high school career
NAme OF HONOR/award / PURPOSE
undergraduate study plans
proposed MAjor: / PROPOSED MINOR:
COLLEGE(s)/UNIVERSITY(ies) APPLIED TO:
college(s)/university(ies) accepted TO:
COllege/university applicant plans to attend:
PARTICIPATION IN DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC. EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT iNITIATIVES: DR. BETTY SHABAZZ DELTA ACADEMY, DELTA GEMS PROGRAM, oR EMBODI
HAS THE APPLICANT PARTICIPATED OR IS PARTICIPATING IN ANY OF DELTA SIGMA THETA SORORITY, INC.’S EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES (YES OR no)?:
NAME OF inITIATIVE:
lOCATION (ciTY, state):
dates:
chapter aFFILIATION (IF known):
SCHOLARSHIPS: list all scholarships applied for and/OR awarded
name / award amount / status
FINANCIAL INFORMATION: THIS SECTION MUST BE REVIEWED AND certified BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
applicant living status during undergraduate study (Please select AN option below):
HOME
☐ / DORMITORY/APARTMENT
☐ / WITH RELATIVE
☐ / other ARRANGEMENTS
☐
NUMBER OF PERSONs DEPENDING ON SUPPORT FROM parent(S)/guardian(S) (PLEASE WRITE A NUMBER):
NAME / RELATIONSHIP TO PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S) / age / currently enrolled in college?
amount saved by applicant for UNDERGRADUATE EXPENSES?:
TOTAL AMOUNT PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(s) CAN PROVIDE TOWARD APPLICANT’s undergraduate expenses?:
FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONtinued): THIS SECTION MUST BE REVIEWED AND certified BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN
please select the amount that best describes your family’s annual gross income (Please select AN option below):
☐Less than $10,000 / ☐$30,001 - $40,000 / ☐$60,001 - $70,000 / ☐$110,001 - $130,000
☐10,001 - $20,000 / ☐$40,001 - $50,000 / ☐$70,001 - $90,000 / ☐$130,001 - $150,000
☐$20,001 - $30,000 / ☐$50,001 - $60,000 / ☐$90,001 - $110,000 / ☐$150,001 or more

Applicants are required to submit their FAFSA Estimated Student Aid Eligibility Report, which calculates their EFC (estimated family contribution). Applicants MUST submit a copy of the FAFSA Student Aid Report even if the family is not requesting federal assistance for financial aid. Applicants that fail to submit a FAFSA Student Aid Report with their application will NOT be evaluated by NoVAC. Applicants will need information from their parent(s)/guardian(s)/family 2017 Federal Income Tax Return to complete the FAFSA.

financial CERTIFICATION
I, THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN, HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION SUBMITTED IS TRUE AND CONSENT TO THE DISCLOSURE OF ANY INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THE STUDENT’S APPLICATION OR FILE FOR THE PURPOSE OF FACILITATING EVALUATION OF THE APPLICATION, ISSUANCE OF A SCHOLARSHIP AWARD, AND/OR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE NoVAC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

Parent/Guardian Signature:______

Printed Name:______

Date:______

essAYS
NoVAC FUNDRAISING THEME PROMPT - ALLapplicants are required to submit a RESPONSE addressing the following PROMPT:
The year 2017 has been a remarkable year for the United States in terms of xenophobic public policies, the rise of white nationalism and supremacy; and catastrophic natural disasters. August 2017’s Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville shook the country at its core with the display of intolerance and hate and unnecessary loss of life of a counter-protester and Virginia State Police officers. The United States and its territories have been plagued with weather and climate related natural disasters: freezes, floods, severe storms, tropical cyclones, hurricanes, droughts, and wildfires. There are numerous communities inundated with unimaginable destruction; yet, we have witnessed the resiliency and indomitable spirit of our citizenry through recovery efforts, repairs, fellowship, and healing.
With Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated's foundation rooted in public service, being part of the solution is paramount to our membership. If you had no challenges and unlimited resources (e.g., time, volunteers, and financial resources) at your disposal, what would you do to help our country recover from one of the aforementioned challenges? Identify the specific challenge and explicitly describe the project or initiative you would spearhead to address the issue. As part of your description, include the expected outcome(s) of your project or initiative.
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) essay prompt - ONLyapplicants requesting consideration for the Stem scholarship are required to submit a RESPONSE addressing the following PROMPT:
The research and innovation of STEM professionals have a significant impact on society. In the last 100 years, STEM experts have changed the world with advances previous generations only imagined. Technological advancements have allowed the world to explore the Sun and planets of the Solar System, provide safe drinking water to Saharan Africa and India; see the mass production of penicillin and development of vaccines for polio and yellow fever; and communicate across the globe instantaneously. NONETHELESS, STEM-related research is evolving daily.
The world’s emerging needs demand STEM professionals who are creative, yet ingenious and persistent. Think about the Earth and society in the year 2118. What do you believe will be society’s most critical needs? Describe, in detail, how STEM professionals and/or STEM fields of study will contribute to fulfilling those needs? Will there be any significant STEM-related breakthroughs related to those critical needs within the next 100 years? Describe, in detail, the role STEM professionals and/or STEM fields of study will have in addressing those needs and building our future.
**NoVAC will not accept handwritten essays. All essays must be typed. Applicants must write the essay in English and use proper grammar, SPELLING, syntax, and punctuation. all sources must be appropriately cited using aPA or MLA format. The essay must be douBLE SPACED, WRITTEN IN 11 OR 12 pItCH USING TIMES NEW ROMAN, ARIAL, oR GARAMOND FONT,AND between 500-800 words. Applicants must attest that the essay is a reflection of their own work and has not been edited by anyone other than the applicant and that no one else has provided the applicant with suggestions to improve the essay.**
APPLICANT CERTIFICATION
I certify that the information in this application (including all supporting documentation) is true and complete and that the essay(S) attached to this application is/ARE the applicant’s original work. I acknowledge that all scholarship decisions by the Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and its FISCAL sPONSOR, the Northern Virginia Delta Education and Community Service Foundation, are final. I certify that I meet all eligibility requirements of the scholarship as described in the guidelines. Falsification of information will result in termination of any scholarship award.

Applicant Signature:______

Printed Name:______

Date:______

Parent/Guardian Signature:______

Printed Name:______

Date:______

Selected scholarship recipients will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding betweenNoVACand its fiscal sponsor,NVDECS, prior to receiving any scholarship award.