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2024-2025 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Psi Iota Chapter Maren McDowell Scholarship
Psi Iota Chapter, an unincorporated association of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. in partnership with the Psi Iota H.O.P.E. Foundation, a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization, is sponsoring college scholarships designed to assist High School students completing their senior year, in attaining their goals for post-secondary education. The Psi Iota Chapter Maren McDowell Scholarship is an award/recognition program sponsored by the Bro. Maren McDowell Scholarship Fund, designed to highlight, and award the achievements of academic excellence and community involvement of deserving graduating high school seniors.
This is a competitive scholarship award. This year, four (4) academic scholarships will be awarded to deserving graduating seniors in the name of the Fraternity’s Cardinal Principles, which are Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance, and Uplift!
Four College Scholarship Awards:
1st Place: $1,200; 2nd Place: $800; 3rd Place: $600; 4th Place: $400
SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
ELIGIBILITY:
To be eligible, each applicant shall:
✓ Be a graduating Senior from a Delaware high school with diploma/GED during the 2024-25 academic school year.
✓ Have at least a 2.50 grade point average on a four (4)-point scale.
✓ Show evidence of worthy character, promise, volunteerism, and leadership qualities.
✓ Show need of financial assistance to continue his/her education. (Provide proof of a complete and filed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASA))
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
The applicant MUST complete and SUMBIT ALL the following (Any deviation from the required documentation will constitute automatic disqualification for further consideration of award):
✓ A copy of the student’s high school transcript – including Fall/Spring semester grades
✓ A 700 to 750-word essay (typed on 8 1⁄2 x 11 paper, 1” margins, 12 Times New Roman or Arial font, single spaced). See application for essay topic.
Use of assistance software and/or technology (i.e. AI) in creating this original work is strictly prohibited. The Committee will be using software to detectthe usage of Artificial Intelligence to assist with the essay. If the content is found to be above a 40% threshold the essay will be disqualified.
✓ One (1) letter of recommendation – the letter can come from one of the following:
- a College/High School Guidance counselor
- a school department head, teacher, and/or administrator
- a religious/civic leader, employer, or volunteer supervisor, who will vouch for the character of the applicant.
- Letters of Recommendation cannot be from a family member
✓ Proof of Enrollment from the accredited Institution – An acceptable proof of enrollment will include:
- The school's name
- The student’s name
- The start date of the program
- The student’s enrollment status (full-time or part-time)
- Was issued in the last six (6) months
If an official proof of enrolment cannot be obtained, a letter of acceptance from the school, accompanied by a supporting document such as the student's timetable (displaying the courses in which the student is enrolled) or a tuition invoice can also be submitted. These should mention the name of the school and name of the student as well.
DEADLINE:
Application packets with ALL required documents must be postmarked, or time stamped via email to psiiotascholarship@gmail.com no later than 11:59 pm on Wednesday, April 30th, 2025, NO EXCEPTIONS.
SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS:
After the application review process, the Scholarship Committee will select recipients for award/recognition. Selection will be based on the applicant’s submission of required documents including, academic excellence, essay response, extra-curricular activities, and voluntarism. Applications which do not satisfy the eligibility requirements and required documentation will automatically be disqualified for further consideration of award.
The Scholarship Committee will review applications. If you are selected for the award, the distribution of the scholarship award will be contingent upon our receiving proof of your enrollment at a two and/or four-year accredited institution. Awards will be announced on or about the first week of May 2025, and the decision of the judges will be final. The Chapter will publish winners, images on their Social media Pages.
Questions relating to this application, please send emails to: psiiotascholarship@gmail.com
Kind Regards,
Psi Iota Chapter
Scholarship Committee
Rating Criteria: The Scholarship Committee will assemble a review panel to assess submitted essays based on the following criteria. Essays may earn a maximum rating of 100 points.
- Development of Topic/Thesis: (30 possible points)
Topic is well-developed (covers and develops major points, supplying enough information for
understanding)
- Progression: (20 possible points)
Composition progresses from beginning to end in a logical flow of information
- Readability: (25 possible points)
Concise language that sticks to the point in a coherent writing style (holds reader’s attention)
- Grammar: (15 possible points)
Agreement of subject and verb; proper tense; correct sentence structure with transitional phrases,
and accurate paragraphing and citations.
- Spelling: (5 possible points)
Words are spelled properly and are the appropriate work use (e.g., to versus too versus two)
- Punctuation: (5 possible points)
Punctuation is properly used for sentence and paragraph structures
