Debunked: 4 Common Scholarship Application Myths

Over the past few years as a member of Theta Foundation staff and as a chapter advisor, I’ve heard my fair share of myths surrounding Theta Foundation’s scholarships. No applicant should be discouraged from applying because of something she heard that actually isn’t true, so I’m here to give you the inside scoop and dispel some of the most common myths you may have heard about our scholarship application.

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

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

Myth 2: Freshmen applicants never receive scholarships.

False! In the past five years alone, 90 freshmen 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 Foundation’s website for a list of our scholarships and their criteria. There are even a couple of awards designated specifically for first-year members of certain chapters!

I’ll also mention that all Theta members are eligible for Theta Foundation scholarships, including 5th-year seniors and alumnae returning to school.

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

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

Myth 4: Canadian students don’t receive scholarships.

In fact, over the past five years, 21 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!

Bottom line, no matter your background, as long as you will pursue a degree-granting program during the 2018-19 academic year (for candidates applying during the 2018 application cycle) and expect to have at least $1,000 in eligible academic expenses, you are eligible to apply for and receive Theta Foundation scholarships! In 2017, we awarded $743,200 in scholarship funding to 332 undergraduate and graduate Thetas. This year, you could be one of them! The first step to qualifying 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 contact Theta Foundation’s Programs Manager, Mary Kate Kronzer, at mkronzer@kappaalphatheta.org.