Scholarships
SCHOLARSHIPS
WDCAC Scholarship Program
Investing in Dreams. Empowering Futures.
The Washington DC Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is proud to invest in the academic journeys of students across Washington, DC. Our scholarship program provides financial support to both graduating high school seniors and current college students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and community service.
Through these awards, and the generous support of our donors and fundraising efforts, WDCAC helps open doors to higher education and brighter futures.
At a Glance: Our Impact
- $80K awarded in scholarships in 2025
- $1.5 Million+ in total scholarships awarded to date
- Dozens of DC Schools Served
- Hundreds of students supported in their pursuit of higher education
- 50+ College campuses represented by scholarship recipients
- First chapter to award $10K in scholarships to five Kenyan students through I Can Fly International program
- Decades of continuous investment in student success and educational access
Scholarships We Offer
Open to graduating high school seniors who are Washington, DC residents. Awards recognize academic excellence, leadership, and service—and help reduce the financial burden of starting college.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
• Be a Washington, DC resident
• Attend a Washington, DC public, private, or charter high school
• Be a graduating senior
• Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited 2- or 4-year
college or university in the fall 2026 semester
• Not be the child of a Washington DC Alumnae Chapter member
Note: "Private school" includes Washington DC homeschool programs recognized by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education.
Open to past WDCAC scholarship recipients currently enrolled in college. Awards are given to students who maintain strong academic standing and community involvement, supporting their continued success.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
• Have received a WDCAC scholarship in consecutive previous years.
• Be a permanent resident of Washington, DC
• Be currently enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student at an accredited two- or four-year college or university
• Have a 2.75 GPA or higher
• Plan to continue full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student in the fall 2026 semester
• Not be the child of a Washington DC Alumnae Chapter member
Application Timeline
Stay Ready: The WDCAC scholarship cycle typically opens in early winter. We encourage interested students and families to review the eligibility criteria and prepare in advance. Application deadlines and updates are shared right here—so check back often for the latest details.
Stay informed: Sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media for scholarship announcements and reminders.
Have questions? Email us at: scholarship@wdcacdst.org
Where Our Scholars Go
WDCAC scholarship recipients continued their academic journeys at colleges and universities across the country.
Hear From Our Scholars
Coming Soon
- Become an Independent Digital Marketer
- Get to Know Each Channel’s Best Practices
- Understand Analytics and Optimization Tactics
- A Focused Course Boosting Your ROI in Just 3 Days
Frequently Asked Questions
Select the applicable scholarship type to view the FAQs. If you have further questions regarding the application process, please contact the WDCAC Scholarship Committee at scholarship@wdcacdst.org.
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: No. To be eligible for a Washington DC Alumnae Chapter Scholarship, the applicant must be a resident of the District of Columbia.
Am I eligible if I am a Washington, DC resident in 12th grade and attend a high school in Maryland?
A: No. To be eligible for a Washington DC Alumnae Chapter Scholarship, the applicant must be a resident of the District of Columbia and attend a high school in the District of Columbia.
My mother is a member of the WDCAC. Am I eligible to apply for the WDCAC Scholarship?
A: No. The applicant cannot be an immediate relative of a member of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter. In this context, immediate relative means a parent/child relationship.
TIP: While the applicant is not eligible for the WDCAC Scholarship, they may be eligible for the scholarship program administered by the Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For more information, visit www.thefcacdst.org.
If my grandmother or aunt is a member of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter (WDCAC), 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, they are acting in loci parentis and are considered an immediate relative. In such cases, the applicant is not eligible for a WDCAC Scholarship.
TIP: If the grandparent or aunt is a legal guardian or adoptive parent, the applicant may still be eligible for the scholarship program administered by the Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For more information, visit www.thefcacdst.org.
When do I have to submit the scholarship application?
A: All scholarship applications must be submitted by March 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST).
Are all my required documents (Official Transcript, School Letter of Recommendation, and Community Service Letter of Recommendation) due by the March 1, 2026 deadline?
A: Yes. All required documents must be submitted no later than March 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST).
Note:
- If the application is submitted close to the application due date (for example, on February 28, 2026), all required documents—including the Official Transcript—must still be received by March 1, 2026, at 11:59PM (EST).
- The Official Transcript must be submitted electronically by the high school counselor or administrator by March 1, 2026, 11:59 PM (EST). While the counselor will receive an automatic transcript request after the application is submitted, the applicant is responsible for ensuring the counselor is aware of the transcript request in advance and has sufficient time to submit the transcript by the deadline.
What happens if my application package is incomplete?
A: If all required documents are not received by the application due date, the application package will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered.
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 individuals 18 years of age are considered adults in the District of Columbia, WDCAC requires a parent or legal guardian to certify certain statements and acknowledge acceptance of WDCAC policies governing the award of a scholarship.
How are official high school transcripts submitted?
A: The Official Transcript must be submitted by the high school counselor or administrator. Once the application is submitted, an electronic transcript request form is automatically sent to the counselor or administrator using 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: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the counselor is aware of the transcript request in advance and has sufficient time to submit the transcript by the deadline.
What happens if my Official Transcript is not submitted by March 1, 2026?
A: If the Official Transcript is not received from the high school counselor or administrator by March 1, 2026, the application will be considered incomplete and disqualified.
Will you accept an original or a photocopy of my SAT/ACT online score report?
A: Yes. Originals or photocopies of an applicant’s SAT or ACT online score report may be uploaded to the application.
Will you accept my SAT/ACT scores listed on my transcript?
A: Yes. Test scores included on the Official Transcript will be accepted.
Note: The score itself is not considered. Credit is awarded for taking the exam.
My test scores are not strong. Should I still upload them if submission is optional?
A: Yes. Submission of test scores is optional but strongly encouraged. The score received is not considered; credit is awarded solely for taking the exam.
How will I know if my Official Transcript was received?
A: Applicants will receive an email confirmation when the high school counselor or administrator submits the Official Transcript.
How are Letters of Recommendations submitted?
Can my recommender email the Letter of Recommendation directly to the WDCAC Scholarship Committee?
What if my high school does not allow students to handle Letters of Recommendation written by the school?
What information should I give my recommender about the WDCAC scholarship?
- The applicant’s academic achievements, personal characteristics, and leadership abilities or skills.
- The length of time and capacity in which the recommender has known the applicant.
Should I request a School Letter of Recommendation early in the application process?
Does my School Letter of Recommendation have to be from a current teacher?
Can an athletic coach employed at my current high school write the School Letter of Recommendation?
What information should I give my Community Service Recommender about the WDCAC scholarship?
- The length and duration of the applicant’s community service participation.
- The applicant’s role, responsibilities, and contributions to projects or initiatives.
- Examples of how the applicant demonstrated leadership.
- The impact the applicant had on the organization or community.
My high school administrator (principal or counselor) offered to write a Community Service Letter of Recommendation regarding my current community service involvement. Will this fulfill the community service recommendation requirement?
I am currently a member of my high school computer club, which provides computer training for senior citizens at a local community center. I volunteer at least once a month. Can the faculty advisor of the computer club write my Community Service Letter of Recommendation regarding my involvement in the program?
I am employed part time as the Community Gardening Program Coordinator at my neighborhood community center. The program teaches low-income residents how to grow, prepare, and eat nutritious foods. Is a letter from the Community Center’s Executive Director sufficient to meet the community service recommendation requirement?
When will the applicants be notified of scholarship decisions?
A: Applicants will be notified in late April or early May. Please allow 6-8 weeks after the application deadline for processing.
Can the scholarship award be given directly to the applicant?
What can scholarship funds be used for?
Can the scholarship award be used outside of the Fall/Spring academic year?
My GPA has fallen below a 2.75. Am I still eligible for the scholarship?
A. No. Applicants must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 to remain eligible for the Continuing Student Scholarship.
If a college student changes their permanent residence outside of the District of Columbia, are they disqualified from receiving funds for the Continuing Student Scholarship?
A. Yes. To remain eligible, the applicant’s permanent residence must remain within the District of Columbia. If the applicant’s permanent residence changes to a location outside Washington, DC, they are no longer eligible for the Continuing Student Scholarship.
If I do not apply or am not awarded a Continuing Student Scholarship in a given year, does this affect my future eligibility?
A. Yes. To remain eligible for future Continuing Student Scholarship awards, applicants must apply for and receive the scholarship in consecutive academic years.
My mother is a member of the WDCAC. Am I eligible to apply for the WDCAC Scholarship?
A. No. The applicant cannot be an immediate relative of a member of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter. In this context, immediate relative means a parent/child relationship.
TIP: While the applicant is not eligible for the WDCAC Scholarship, they may be eligible for the scholarship program administered by the Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For more information, visit www.thefcacdst.org.
If my grandmother or aunt is a member of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter (WDCAC), 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, they are acting in loci parentis and are considered an immediate relative. In such cases, the applicant is not eligible for a WDCAC Scholarship.
TIP: If the grandparent or aunt is a legal guardian or adoptive parent, the applicant may still be eligible for the scholarship program administered by the Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. For more information, visit www.thefcacdst.org.
When do I have to submit the scholarship application?
A. All scholarship applications must be submitted by March 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST).
Are all my required documents (Official Transcript, School Letter of Recommendation, and Community Service Letter of Recommendation) due by the March 1, 2026 deadline?
A. Yes. All required documents must be submitted no later than March 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST).
Note: If the application is submitted close to the application due date (for example, on February 28, 2026), all required documents—including the Official Transcript—must still be received by March 1, 2026, at 11:59PM (EST).
What happens if my application package is incomplete?
A: If all required documents are not received by the application due date, the application package will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered.
Is my Official Transcript due by the March 1, 2026 deadline?
A. Yes. Official college transcripts must be received no later than March 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST). Applicants are responsible for requesting transcripts well in advance to ensure timely receipt.
How should Official Transcripts be submitted?
A: Official transcripts must be ordered through the applicant’s college or an approved transcript service provider (such as the National Student Clearinghouse or Parchment) and emailed directly to: scholarship@wdcacdst.org.
How do I know if the Scholarship Committee received my transcript?
A: Applicants should confirm delivery with their college or transcript service provider. WDCAC does not issue individual receipt confirmations for transcripts.
What happens if my Official Transcript arrives after March 1, 2026?
A: Official Transcripts received after March 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM (EST) will not be considered, and the application package will be deemed incomplete.
How are Letters of Recommendation submitted?
A: Letters of Recommendation are submitted as part of the scholarship application.
Note: Each Letter of Recommendation must be submitted on the institution’s official letterhead and include the official ink signature of the person writing the recommendation. Only PDF files are accepted.
Does my School Letter of Recommendation have to be from a current teacher?
Should I request a School Letter of Recommendation early in the application process?
What information should I give the person writing my School Letter of Recommendation?
A: The recommender writing the applicant’s School Letter of Recommendation should address the following:
- The applicant’s academic achievements, personal characteristics, and leadership abilities or skills.
- The length of time and capacity in which the recommender has known the applicant.
Note: The Letter of Recommendation must be submitted on the institution’s official letterhead and include the official ink signature of the person writing the recommendation. Only PDF files are accepted.
What information should I give the person writing my Community Service Letter of Recommendation?
A: The recommender verifying the applicant’s community service involvement should address the following:
- The applicant’s role, responsibilities, and contributions to service projects or initiatives.
- The number of community service hours completed
- The length of time and capacity in which the recommender has known the applicant.
- Examples of the applicant’s leadership and involvement
Note: The Letter of Recommendation must be submitted on the organization’s official letterhead and include the official ink signature of the person writing the recommendation. Only PDF files are accepted.
When will the applicants be notified of scholarship decisions?
A: Applicants will be notified in late April or early May. Please allow 6-8 weeks after the application deadline for processing.
Can the scholarship award be given directly to the applicant?
A: No. We recognize that scholarship displacement is a legitimate concern. However, all scholarship award disbursements are issued jointly to the college or university and the applicant.
What can scholarship funds be used for?
A: Scholarship funds can be used for tuition, room and board, books, supplies, and equipment required for coursework instruction.
Can the scholarship award be used outside of the Fall/Spring academic year?
A: No. Scholarship awards apply only to the Fall and Spring terms of the awarded academic year and do not roll over to summer sessions.
If a Continuing Student is awarded a scholarship and then takes a leave of absence during the awarded academic year, may the scholarship be deferred and used in a later academic year?
A: Requests to defer or use a Continuing Student Scholarship in a later academic year are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Students must contact scholarship@wdcacdst.org to discuss their individual circumstances.
Your Education, Our Commitment.
WDCAC believes every student deserves a chance to pursue their dreams. Our scholarship program is more than financial support—it’s a vote of confidence in your future. We’re honored to walk alongside the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.