Scholarship Program
The Washington DC Chapter Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has provided over $1 million in scholarships to Washington DC high school and college students. Our scholarship program is designed to assist DC students/residents achieve academic success by providing:
- Scholarships to help offset the cost of college tuition and other related expenses
- Backpacks filled with school supplies to elementary schools located in underserved areas
- Books to DCPS elementary schools to promote and increase literacy
Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 WDCAC Scholarship Program. Apply by March 1, 2025.
The New Student and Continuing Student Scholarship application deadlines are extended to March 15, 2025. Apply Today!
For more information, contact us at scholarship@wdcacdst.org.
New Student Scholarship
The applicant must meet the following requirements to apply for the 2025 WDCAC New Student Scholarship:
• Must be a resident of Washington, D.C.
• Must attend a Washington, D.C. public, private, or charter high school
• Must be a high school senior graduating in 2025
• Planning to enter an accredited two or four-year university or college as a full-time freshman in the fall of 2025
• Cannot be an immediate relative (e.g., child) of a member of Washington DC Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Continuing Student Scholarship
The applicant must meet the following requirements to apply for the 2025 WDCAC Continuing Student Scholarship:
• Must be a WDCAC scholarship recipient during previous consecutive years.
• Must be a resident of Washington, D.C.
• Must currently be enrolled at an accredited two or four-year university or college as a full-time undergraduate student
• Must have a 2.75 or above cumulative grade point average
• Plans to continue enrollment at an accredited two or four-year university or college as a full-time undergraduate student in the fall of 2025.
• Cannot be an immediate relative (e.g., child) of a member of Washington DC Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Frequently Asked Questions provide responses to common questions to assist applicants and counselors with the WDCAC Scholarship Application.
Eligibility Criteria
Am I eligible if I am a 12th grade student whose residence is Maryland, and I attend a high school (public, charter or private) in the District of Columbia?
A: To be eligible for a Washington DC Alumnae Chapter (WDCAC) Scholarship, the applicant must be a resident of the District of Columbia.
Am I eligible if I am a Washington, D.C. resident in 12th grade and attend a high school in Maryland?
A: To be eligible for a Washington DC Alumnae Chapter (WDCAC) Scholarship, the applicant must be a resident of the District of Columbia and attend school in the District of Columbia.
My mother is a member of the WDCAC. Am I eligible to apply for the WDCAC Scholarship?
A: The applicant cannot be an immediate relative of a member of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In this context, “immediate relative” means a parent/child relationship.
TIP: While the applicant is not eligible for the WDCAC Scholarship, the applicant may be eligible for the scholarship program administered by the Federal City Alumnae Chapter (FCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For more information, visit FCAC’s website at thefcacdst.org.
If my grandmother and aunt are members of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter, am I eligible to apply for a WDCAC scholarship?
A: Generally, a grandparent or aunt is considered an extended family member rather than an immediate relative. However, if the grandmother or aunt is the applicant’s legal guardian or adoptive parent, the grandmother or aunt is acting in the place of a parent (in loci parentis), and is considered the applicant’s immediate relative. As such, the applicant is not eligible for a WDCAC Scholarship.
TIP: While the applicant is not eligible for the WDCAC Scholarship if the grandparent or aunt is a legal guardian or adoptive parent, the applicant may be eligible for the scholarship program administered by the Federal City Alumnae Chapter (FCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For more information, visit FCAC’s website at thefcacdst.org,
Application
When do I have to submit the scholarship application?
A: All scholarship applications must be submitted by March 1, 2025, 11:59 PM (EST).
Are my required documents (Official Transcript, School Recommendation Letter and Community Service Recommendation Letter) due by the March 1, 2025 deadline?
A: The Unofficial Transcript and the School and Community Service Letters of Recommendations must be submitted with the scholarship application by March 1, 2025, 11:59 PM (EST).
The Official Transcript must be submitted electronically by the school counselor/administrator by March 15, 2025, 11:59 PM (EST).
NOTE: Once the scholarship application is submitted, an electronic form will be sent to the email address provided for the counselor/administrator to allow the official transcript to be submitted.
The email addresses provided must be an official company, organization, or school address that includes the institution’s domain name (e.g., name@companyname.com or name@k12.dc.gov).
The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the high school counselor is aware of the document request in ample time for the counselor to submit the form by the March 15, 2025 deadline.
Besides my electronic signature, does my parent or legal guardian have to provide an electronic signature for the Terms and Conditions if I am 18 years of age or older?
A: Yes. While 18 years of age in the District of Columbia is considered an adult, we require the applicant’s parent or legal guardian to certify that certain statements are correct as well as acknowledge acceptance of certain WDCAC policies governing the award of a WDCAC scholarship.
Transcripts & Test Scores
How are “official" high school transcripts submitted?
A: The official transcript is submitted by the high school counselor. Once the application is submitted, an electronic form will be sent to the counselor via the email address provided in the application.
The counselor’s email address must be an official school email address that includes the institution’s domain name (e.g., name@k12.dc.gov).
Note: Applicants are also required to upload an unofficial transcript as part of the online application form.
What is an “unofficial" high school transcript?
A: An unofficial high school transcript is a student copy of the official transcript. Unofficial transcripts include the student’s grades beginning in the 9th grade, the cumulative GPA, and current courses of study.
Note: Applicants will be required to upload an unofficial transcript as part of the online application form. Unofficial transcripts will be verified against the official transcript provided by the school counselor/administrator.
Since my counselor or administrator will be sending the official transcript, am I still required to upload my unofficial transcript?
A: Yes
If I upload my unofficial transcript with the application, does my counselor or administrator still have to send my official transcript?
A: Yes
What happens if my official transcript is not submitted by March 15, 2025?
A: The official transcript serves as verification for the unofficial transcript that was submitted with the application. If the official transcript is not received by March 15, 2025, the application will be considered incomplete and therefore disqualified.
I received an online score report of my SAT/ACT test scores from the College Board. Will you accept an original or a photocopy of the online score report sent by me?
A: Yes, photocopies or originals of an applicant’s online test score report will be accepted and can be uploaded to the online application.
Will you accept my SAT/ACT scores provided on my transcript?
A: Yes. Test scores provided on the transcript will be considered.
NOTE: The test score you received is not a consideration. Only that you have taken the exam.
My test scores are not good. Should I still upload the scores since it's optional?
A: Submission of test scores is optional, but strongly encouraged to include with the application. The score you received is not a consideration. Credit is simply awarded for taking the exam. You may upload a copy of your official College Board SAT or ACT score report.
How do I know if the Scholarship Committee received my required Official Transcript the due date?
A: Applicants will receive an email confirmation when the high school counselor or administrator submits the official transcript.
School Recommendation Letter
What information should I give my recommender about the WDCAC scholarship?
• The applicant’s academic achievements, personal characteristics, and leadership abilities/skills.
• The length of time the recommender has known the applicant and in what capacity.
NOTE: The recommendation letter must include the official signature of the person writing the recommendation and the institution’s official letterhead. Only PDF files are accepted.
How are recommendation letters submitted?
A: Letters of recommendation are submitted with your application.
NOTE: Recommendations must include the official signature of the person writing the recommendation and the institution’s official letterhead. Only PDF files are accepted.
Should I request a School Recommendation Letter be completed early in the process?
A: Yes. Make your request for a the letter of recommendation as early as possible to allow ample time for the recommender to write the letter.
Does my school recommendation letter have to be from a current teacher.
A: Yes. Your school recommendation letter must be from a 12th-grade teacher only.
Can an athletic coach who is employed at my current high school write the letter of recommendation?
A: If the coach is employed by the high school AND serves as the applicant’s current high school counselor, academic advisor or teacher, then the coach may write the recommendation.
NOTE: Coaches or instructors who the high school does not employ (e.g., club sports, private instructors, etc.) cannot write the recommendation.
Would the School Recommendation Letter completed by my 9th grade English teacher be acceptable?
A: No. The School Recommendation Letter must be completed by the applicant’s current high school 12th-grade teacher in an academic subject, academic advisor, principal or counselor.
Can my recommendation letter be submitted directly from my recommender to the WDCAC Scholarship Committee email address?
A: No. Letters of recommendation must be uploaded to the online application.
Community Service Recommendation Letter
What information should I give my Community Service Recommender about the WDCAC scholarship?
• Highlight the length of time of the applicant’s participation
• The applicant’s role and responsibilities, and any projects they contributed to.
• Examples of how the applicant demonstrated leadership.
• How the applicant impacted the organization.
NOTE: The recommendation letter must include the official signature of the person writing the recommendation and the organization’s official letterhead. Only PDF files are accepted.
My high school principal and high school counselor offered to write a Community Service Recommendation Letter regarding my current community service involvement. Will this fulfill the community service recommendation requirement of the application?
A: Yes. Your high school principal or counselor may write your Community Service Recommendation Letter.
I am currently a member of the high school computer club that provides computer training for senior citizens at a local community center. I volunteer for this community service activity at least once a month. I wish to submit a Community Service Recommendation Letter regarding my involvement in the program. Should I ask my faculty advisor of the computer club to write the letter?
A: A Community Service Recommendation Letter from the computer club’s faculty advisor, the principal, the high school counselor, or the teacher is sufficient.
I am currently employed on a part-time basis as the Community Gardening Program Coordinator at my neighborhood community center. The Community Gardening Program teaches low-income residents how to grow, prepare and eat nutritious and healthy foods. Is a letter from the Community Center’s Executive Director sufficient to meet the application requirement regarding a recommendation letter of my community service involvement?
A: The definition of community service is work that is done without pay to benefit people or organizations that serve the public in a particular community. Since the community center employs the applicant, the letter is considered an employee recommendation letter, not a Community Service Recommendation Letter. An employee recommendation letter is not accepted in lieu of the Community Service Recommendation Letter.
Award Notifications
When will the applicants be notified of WDCAC’s selection of scholarship awardees?
A: The applicants, either selected or non-selected, will be notified in late April/early May. Please allow 6-8 weeks past the due date for processing of applications.
Additional Questions
What happens if the application package is incomplete?
A: If required documents are not received by the due date, the application package will be deemed incomplete, and it will not be considered.
Who can I contact for additional questions?
A: If you have further questions regarding the application process, please contact the WDCAC Scholarship Committee at scholarship@wdcacdst.org.
Eligibility Criteria
My GPA has fallen below 2.75. Am I still eligible for the scholarship?
A: Applicants must maintain a 2.75 GPA or higher to remain eligible for the scholarship.
My mother is a member of the WDCAC. Am I eligible to apply for the WDCAC Scholarship?
A: The applicant cannot be an immediate relative of a member of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. In this context, “immediate relative” means a parent/child relationship.
TIP: While the applicant is not eligible for the WDCAC Scholarship, the applicant may be eligible for the scholarship program administered by the Federal City Alumnae Chapter (FCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For more information, visit FCAC’s website at thefcacdst.org.
If my grandmother and aunt are members of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter, am I eligible to apply for a WDCAC scholarship?
A: Generally, a grandparent or aunt is considered an extended family member rather than an immediate relative. However, if the grandmother or aunt is the applicant’s legal guardian or adoptive parent, the grandmother or aunt is acting in the place of a parent (in loci parentis), and is considered the applicant’s immediate relative. As such, the applicant is not eligible for a WDCAC Scholarship.
TIP: While the applicant is not eligible for the WDCAC Scholarship if the grandparent or aunt is a legal guardian or adoptive parent, the applicant may be eligible for the scholarship program administered by the Federal City Alumnae Chapter (FCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For more information, visit FCAC’s website at thefcacdst.org,
If I change my permanent home address while in college, am I disqualified from receiving funds for the Continuing Scholarship?
A: The applicant’s permanent address must be in the District of Columbia while enrolled in school. The applicant is no longer eligible if the permanent address changes to a location outside of Washington, DC.
Can students skip a year of college and continue their award upon returning?
A: The decision would be made based on individual cases. Please contact scholarship@wdcacdst.org.
If I forget to apply for Continuing Scholarship renewal in a given year, can I apply as a Continuing Student recipient in subsequent years?
A: No. To be eligible for Continuing Scholarship renewals, your applications must be consecutive.
Application
When do I have to submit the scholarship application?
A: All scholarship applications must be submitted by March 1, 2025, 11:59 PM (EST).
Are my required documents (Official Transcript, School Recommendation Letter and Community Service Recommendation Letter) due by the March 1, 2025 deadline?
A: Yes. The School and Community Service Letters of Recommendations must be submitted with the scholarship application by March 1, 2025, 11:59 PM (EST).
The Official Transcript must emailed to the WDCAC Scholarship Committee via an official transcript service provider by March 1, 2025.
Transcripts
Is my official transcript due by the March 1, 2025 deadline?
A. Yes. Official transcripts must be received by March 1, 2025, 11:59 PM (EST). The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the official college transcript is requested in ample time to be received by March 1, 2025.
How should “official" college transcripts be submitted?
A: Official transcripts should be ordered from your college or a transcript service provider (e.g., National Student Clearing House, Parchment) and emailed directly to scholarship@wdcacdst.org.
What happens if my official transcript arrives after March 1, 2025?
A: If the official transcript is not received by March 1, 2025, the application will not be considered, and the application package will be deemed incomplete.
How do I know if the Scholarship Committee received my official transcript by the due date?
A. Please contact your college or transcript service provider to ensure the transcript was sent. Additionally, you can contact the WDCAC Scholarship Committee at scholarship@wdcacdst.org prior to the deadline to ensure the transcript was received.
School Recommendation Letter
What instructions should I give the person writing my college recommendation letter?
• The applicant’s academic achievements, personal characteristics, and leadership abilities/skills.
• The length of time the recommender has known the applicant and in what capacity.
NOTE: The recommendation letter must include the official signature of the person writing the recommendation and the institution’s official letterhead. Only PDF files are accepted.
How are recommendation letters submitted?
A: Letters of recommendation are submitted with your application.
NOTE: Recommendations must include the official signature of the person writing the recommendation and the institution’s official letterhead. Only PDF files are accepted.
Should I request a School Recommendation Letter be completed early in the process?
A: Yes. Make your request for a the letter of recommendation as early as possible to allow ample time for the recommender to write the letter.
Does my school recommendation letter have to be from a current professor?
A: Applicants may submit letters of recommendation from any college professor or administrator.
Community Service Recommendation Letter
What instructions should I give the person writing my community service recommender letter?
• Service project(s) the applicant is currently involved in and the number of service hours performed.
• The applicant’s role and responsibilities
• Indicate the length of time the recommender has known the applicant and in what capacity.
• Examples of how the applicant demonstrated leadership and involvement.
NOTE: The recommendation letter must include the official signature of the person writing the recommendation and the organization’s official letterhead. Only PDF files are accepted.
I am currently employed on a part-time basis as the Community Gardening Program Coordinator at my neighborhood community center. The Community Gardening Program teaches low-income residents how to grow, prepare and eat nutritious and healthy foods. Is a letter from the Community Center’s Executive Director sufficient to meet the application requirement regarding a recommendation letter of my community service involvement?
A: The definition of community service is work that is done without pay to benefit people or organizations that serve the public in a particular community. Since the community center employs the applicant, the letter is considered an employee recommendation letter, not a Community Service Recommendation Letter. An employee recommendation letter is not accepted in lieu of the Community Service Recommendation Letter.
Award Notifications
When will the applicants be notified of WDCAC’s selection of scholarship awardees?
A: The applicants, either selected or non-selected, will be notified in late April/early May. Please allow 6-8 weeks past the due date for processing of applications.
Additional Questions
What happens if the application package is incomplete?
A: If required documents are not received by the due date, the application package will be deemed incomplete, and it will not be considered.
Who can I contact for additional questions?
A: If you have further questions regarding the application process, please contact the WDCAC Scholarship Committee at scholarship@wdcacdst.org.
