P.O. Box 4310 Arlington, VA 22204 9998 novac@dstnovac.org Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Scholarship Application Guidelines and Requirements In 2017, 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 sorority 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 NoVAC Scholarship, 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 2016-2017 academic 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 TIME STAMPED (for electronic mail submissions) ON or BEFORE 11:59:59 PM ET, February 25, 2017. An application is not complete until NoVAC receives ALL required documents via U.S. Postal Service or electronic submission ON or BEFORE 11:59:59 PM ET, February 25, 2017. 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 scholarship@dstnovac.org 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 2. Applicants must type ALL responses on the application. NoVAC will NOT accept handwritten applications. 3. 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. 4. Applications are not considered complete if not signed and dated by the applicant AND a parent/guardian. 5. The following must be submitted to be considered a complete application: a. An official academic transcript (displaying the official school seal) with a cumulative grade point average OR signed by an appropriate school administrator (e.g. School Registrar or Guidance Counselor) in a sealed envelope i. The current high school transcript must include Grades 9-11 and all available senior year grades b. 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. c. 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/guardian/family 2016 Federal Income Tax Return to complete the FAFSA. d. An essay addressing the identified prompt regarding higher education in the United States. NoVAC does NOT 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. 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. e. Résumé: applicants MUST submit a résumé identifying any work experience, school and extracurricular activities/awards/honors. f. Two signed and dated letters of recommendation on official letterhead from: i. A teacher, guidance counselor, principal or other school administrator AND ii. 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 does NOT accept or consider any incomplete or late applications. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. October 2016 February 25, 2017 April 2017 May 6, 2017 Release of 2017 NoVAC Scholarship Application 2017 Scholarship Application Due: Postmarked (U.S. Postal Service submissions) or time stamped ON or BEFORE 11:59:59 PM ET (for electronic mail submissions) Applicant Notification of Scholarship Awards Fifth Annual NoVAC Trailblazer Awards & Scholarship Gala 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 NoVAC in April 2017. Selected scholarship recipients will be required to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between NoVAC and 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 Fifth Annual NoVAC Trailblazer Awards & Scholarship Gala on May 6, 2017, 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 novac@dstnovac.org 2017 NoVAC SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION Scholarship Application Deadline: February 25, 2017 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: DATE OF BIRTH: EMAIL ADDRESS: SECONDARY PHONE NUMBER: 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 IN A SINGLE PARENT HOUSHOLD WITH MY MOTHER I LIVE WITH A GUARDIAN(S) I LIVE AT HOME WITH MY FATHER AND STEPMOTHER I LIVE IN A SINGLE PARENT HOUSEHOLD WITH MY FATHER 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): POSITION: DATES OF EMPLOYMENT (MM/YY-MM/YY): HOURS/WEEK: EMPLOYER: EMPLOYER ADDRESS (CITY, STATE): POSITION: DATES OF EMPLOYMENT (MM/YY-MM/YY): HOURS/WEEK: EMPLOYER: EMPLOYER ADDRESS (CITY, STATE): POSITION: DATES OF EMPLOYMENT (MM/YY-MM/YY): 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.) OFFICES/LEADERSHIP ACTIVITY YEARS OF PARTICIPATION 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/guardian/family 2016 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: ESSAY APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT AN ESSAY ADDRESSING THE FOLLOWING QUESTION: IN FEBRUARY 2015, FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA CALLED EDUCATION THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE FACING THE UNITED STATES. OTHERS HAVE SIMILARLY IDENTIFIED EDUCATION AS THE CIVIL RIGHTS ISSUE OF OUR TIMES AND SOME HAVE ASSERTED THAT FREE HIGHER EDUCATION IS A HUMAN RIGHT. WITH THESE ASSERTIONS, SCHOLARS, ADVOCATES, AND POLITICIANS ARE ECHOING WHAT THE INTERNATIONAL COVENANT ON ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS OF THE UNITED NATIONS ALSO DECLARES HIGHER EDUCATION SHALL BE MADE EQUALLY ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, ON THE BASIS OF CAPACITY, BY EVERY APPROPRIATE MEANS, AND IN PARTICULAR BY THE PROGRESSIVE INTRODUCTION OF FREE EDUCATION. THIS COVENANT WAS ADOPTED BY THE UNITED NATIONS (UN) GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 1966 AND SUBSEQUENTLY OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS WAS RATIFIED AS A BINDING COVENANT BY 166 NATIONS (EXCLUDING THE UNITED STATES). IS HIGHER EDUCATION A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT, A MORAL IMPERATIVE IN A CIVILIZED SOCIETY, WITH ASSOCIATED RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AS ARTICULATED BY THE UNITED NATIONS COVENANT? OR, IS HIGHER EDUCATION A PERSONAL OR SOCIAL INVESTMENT OR COMMODITY ENABLING ALL TO ACHIEVE THE AMERICAN DREAM? SELECT ONE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED POINTS OF VIEW/POSITIONS AND ARTICULATE A LOGICAL AND REASONED ARGUMENT WITH FACTS, ANECDOTES, QUOTES, AND EXAMPLES TO JUSTIFY YOUR POSITION. **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 ATTACHED TO THIS APPLICATION IS 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 FOUNDATION, 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 between NoVAC and its fiscal sponsor, NVDECS, prior to receiving any scholarship award. Completed applications, résumés, financial need documentation, essays, test scores, and letters of recommendation may be emailed to scholarship@dstnovac.org or forwarded via 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
P.O. Box 4310 Arlington, VA 22204 9998 novac@dstnovac.org APPLICATION CHECKLIST DO NOT SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION 2017 NoVAC Scholarship Application: NoVAC will NOT accept handwritten applications. Applications are not considered complete if not signed and dated by the applicant AND a parent/guardian. This includes the financial certification required by a parent/guardian. Official academic transcript (displaying the official school seal) in a sealed envelope. Copy of official of official documentation of SAT/ACT scores. This may be a copy of the official score report(s) sent by the College Board and/or ACT, Inc. or an official high school academic transcript with test scores. 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. Essay addressing the prompt regarding higher education in the United States and identified requirements. NoVAC will NOT accept handwritten essays. All essays must be typed. Résumé: Applicants MUST submit a résumé identifying any work experience, school and extracurricular activities/awards/honors. Letters of recommendation: Two signed and dated letters of recommendation on official letterhead from a teacher, guidance counselor, principal or other school administrator AND 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. APPLICATION DEADLINE All applications must be POSTMARKED (for U.S. Postal Service submissions) or TIME STAMPED (for electronic mail submissions) ON or BEFORE 11:59:59 PM ET, February 25, 2017. An application is not complete until NoVAC receives ALL required documents via U.S. Postal Service or electronic submission ON or BEFORE 11:59:59 PM ET, February 25, 2017. Incomplete or late applications will NOT be accepted or considered for a NoVAC Scholarship Award. Completed applications, résumés, financial need documentation, essays, test scores, and letters of recommendation may be emailed to scholarship@dstnovac.org or forwarded via 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.