Common Scholarship Application Myths Debunked

When it comes to Theta Foundation scholarships, there are some common myths we’ve heard over the years that might discourage someone from applying. I’m here today to help dispel those misconceptions!

Myth 1: You must have a 4.0 GPA to get a scholarship.

You do not need a 4.0 GPA (or equivalent) to qualify for or to be awarded a Theta Foundation scholarship. In fact, many of our previous scholarship recipients do not have perfect grades. There is no minimum GPA requirement to apply, but we do require that all applicants report their GPA. While we evaluate the strength of each applicant’s GPA, we look at many other factors, and we encourage applicants to take care to clearly articulate their accomplishments and strengths in their applications.

Myth 2: Freshman/first-year applicants never receive scholarships.

In the past five years alone, more than 120 freshman/first-year applicants have received scholarship funding. Although younger applicants tend to have less experience to report, they are often still strong candidates. Many of our scholarships also have specific eligibility criteria, which narrows the eligible applicant pool for each award. You can review the A-Z Scholarship Listing on Theta’s website for a list of our scholarships and their criteria. There are even a couple awards designated specifically for first-year members of certain chapters.

All members in good standing are eligible for Theta Foundation scholarships, regardless of current academic status. This includes fifth-year seniors and alumnae returning to school.

Myth 3: You have to be a chapter officer (or have been a chapter officer) to receive a scholarship.

You do not need to have held an officer position to qualify for or to be awarded a Theta Foundation scholarship. We have a few awards designated for certain officer positions, but many more are open to members who haven’t held an office. There are plenty of opportunities to earn points outside of the Theta-related sections of the application. Applicants are also asked to report their non-Theta activities, such as work experience, co-/extracurricular activities, and volunteer service.

Myth 4: Canadian students don’t receive scholarships.

Over the past five years, 19 applicants from Canadian chapters were awarded scholarship funding. Our Canadian members are considered for all scholarship awards for which they are eligible, and there are even a few awards with criteria specific to members of Canadian chapters.

As long as you will pursue a degree-granting program during the 2023-2024 academic year and expect to have at least $1,000 in eligible academic expenses, you are encouraged to apply for a Theta Foundation scholarship. In 2022, $881,425 in scholarship funding was awarded to 329 college and alumnae members. This year, you could be one of them! The first step to being considered is to submit a complete application prior to the deadline. Good luck!

If you have questions about Theta Foundation’s scholarship program or the application, please use the Contact Us form. Select “Scholarships & Grants” from the drop-down menu to ensure your message is directed appropriately.