Scholarship FAQs
If you have any questions not answered in the list below, please contact Teresa Glassman at 317-381-5531 or foundationscholarships@sigmakappa.org.
1.When is the application available for Sigma Kappa Foundation scholarships?
The 2024-2025 Sigma Kappa Foundation Scholarship application process opensDec. 15,2023;the deadline for submission is6 pm Eastern Standard Time onMarch 4, 2024.
2. How do I apply?
The application link will be LIVEonlyDec. 15, 2023 through March 4, 2024. Sigma Kappa Foundation uses SmarterSelect for the application process; all questions and steps must be completed in order for your application to be evaluated. Incomplete applications will not be considered. The application can be found on our website:https://sigmakappa.org/foundation/scholarships-and-grants/
3. What is SmarterSelect?
SmarterSelect is a third party online application and recommendation system. Applications must be completed and submitted electronically via SmarterSelect. If you are a first-time user, you will be prompted to create an account.
4. What if I don’t remember if I have an account with SmarterSelect?
Applications must be submitted through a personal account, NOT a chapter account.Previous users should log in with their email they used to create the original account. If you do not remember your password, click the Forgot Password link. If you do not remember the email you used to sign up, you can contact SmarterSelect or email: foundationscholarships@sigmakappa.orgto verify your account status.
5. Who chooses the recipients?
Sigma Kappa Foundation appoints a Scholarship committee to review all submitted applications.
6. How many scholarships are awarded?
Last year, the Sigma Kappa Foundation awarded 99 scholarship awards for more than $115,000 in scholarship support.
7. To which term/semester/quarter is the financial award applied?
The scholarship award is divided over the academic year. Example: For schools on a semester calendar, half of the award will be applied to Fall 2024 fees and half will be applied to Spring 2025.
8. What if I will only be in school one term?
This topic is addressed within the application. Please indicate your plans if you will not be enrolled the entire academic year. If selected as a recipient, the funds will all be awarded for that term.
9. How can I donate to a scholarship fund?
Clickhere, then select the fund you wish to support.
Who can apply?
Any Sigma Kappa member in good standing who will be enrolled during the 2024-2025 academic year in a college degree program. New members are welcome to apply as long as they are initiated by April 1, 2024.
2.What if I applied last year, can I apply again?
Yes, you are welcome to apply. Each scholarship application cycle is handled separately from previous cycles.
3.Will all applicants receive an award?
Unfortunately, we are not able to award a scholarship to each applicant. We often have more applicants than we have funding available, but we encourage you to apply.
4.I am eligible for multiple scholarships. Do I need to submit separate applications for each award?
No. We use one application for all scholarships. Upon submitting an application, you are automatically a candidate for any scholarship for which you qualify, based on each specific scholarship’s criteria.
5.I am currently applying to graduate school and will not know if I am accepted until after the scholarship application deadline. Should I still apply?
Yes. If you are chosen as a scholarship recipient, we will require your school acceptance information at that time (between April 15 - May 15).
6.Is there a minimum GPA requirement to apply?
No. However, many scholarships do have GPA requirements. Please see scholarship listing for specific criteria.
7.Can I use the Sigma Kappa Foundation scholarship for membership dues?
No. Sigma Kappa Foundation scholarships can only be applied toward academic expenses. Scholarship awards are paid directly to the school of enrollment and not to the awardee. Scholarship awards may only be used for 2024-2025 academic year, not to pay off student loans for past academic expenses.
8.Can I use the Sigma Kappa Foundation scholarship for study abroad?
You must remain a Sigma Kappa member in good standing. The scholarship must be applied toward academic expenses, including study abroad.
Do I have to complete my application in one session?
No. You can save your application and return to it when you have more time.
2. What key information do I need to have available when I apply?
- Official cumulative GPA
- Tuition costs and financial aid information
- Name, e-mail address, and phone number for one individual, who will complete a personal recommendation on your behalf
- Personal essay and additional narrative
3. What is meant by official cumulative GPA?
Members should report their official cumulative GPA based on the most recently available academic period and should report the two digits beyond the decimal. No rounding is permitted.
While no documentation is requested at the time of the application, verification of GPA and enrollment will be requested from those who are selected to receive a scholarship award. Students are expected to report accurate and truthful information. Any student found to have knowingly reported false information will be deemed ineligible.
4. Who should I ask to complete my recommendation form?
Recommendations from collegiate officers/members are NOT acceptable.The recommender should know you well and can speak to your leadership potential, good character, work ethic, academic pursuits and/or commitment to service. Potential recommenders include an advisor, administrator, employer, professor, or mentor who you have interacted with at the college level or beyond. Freshmen/First year applicants may selec a professional you interacted with at the high school level if you do not yet have a working relationship with a college level professional. . It is your responsibility to ask permission of the individualbeforeyou submit their name/email on your application and also to follow up with the recommender to insure they have receive the email link and completed the submission.Once you have entered your recommender's contact information, a message with a submission link will be sent to the email address provided.
5. What is required for the personal essay and additional narrative?
Please provide an essay describing yourself and how you exemplify one of Sigma Kappa’s values: personal growth, friendship, service and loyalty. The essay should be concise, no more than 500 words, and must be submitted as an attachment (PDF). There is an additional narrative requirement. You are to choose one of the two following prompts and submit a 500 word response: 1) Reflect on what being a Sigma Kappa for lifetime means to you. OR 2)What would receiving a Sigma Kappa scholarship mean to you and how would it impact your career goals?
6. How do I submit my application?
Once you have completed the application, you should click the Submit Application button. Your application will show a Pending status until your recommendation is received.
7. Can I update my application once I click “Submit Application?”
Yes. You are able to make updates while the application is in Pending status.
8.What if I don’t know an answer to a question on the application?
You need to take the time to find the answer so your application can be completed. Incomplete applications will not considered.
9.Will I receive a confirmation when my application is submitted?
Yes, once your application is created and submitted you will receive confirmation.
Letters of recommendation will NOT be accepted. Recommender must complete the recommendation form questions.
Are there specific requirements for my Recommendation?
Potential Recommenders include an advisor, administrator, employer, professor, or mentor who knows you well and can speak to your leadership potential, good character, work ethic, academic pursuits and/or commitment to service.Collegiate members/officer and family members are NOT acceptable recommenders.
2. I have completed my portion but my recommender did not receive the link to the recommendation form. What should I do?
Please verify the recommender's listed email address is correct, also have the recommender check their spam folder for a message from SmarterSelect. If they will have not received the message, then contactfoundationscholarships@sigmakappa.orgto ask for the link to be resent.
3. How do I know if my recommender has submitted their recommendation?
You will receive an email confirmation of the recommendation being received.
4. My recommender says he/she has submitted their recommendation information, but I haven’t received a confirmation email. What should I do?
Please contactfoundationscholarships@sigmakappa.org.
1.When is my scholarship application due?
March 4, 2024 at 6 PM Eastern Standard Time. Your recommender's recommendation form is also due at the SAME time.
2.When will I be notified if I have been selected or not?
On or around April 15, 2024.
1.If selected for a scholarship award, what happens next?
You will receive an email with a checklist of materials to be submitted to National Headquarters by May 15, 2024.
2.What if I am out of the country when the materials are due?
If you know you will be traveling, you should submit your materials early or have someone submit for you.
3.What happens after my award recipient materials are submitted?
You will receive an email confirming your checklist items have all been received.
4.Where and when is the award check sent?
The award check is mailed directly to your school on or around June 1, 2024.
5.Will my university notify me when they receive my award?
Notification varies from school to school.
