scholarships

2024

Pearl Foundation

Scholarship

Over $800,000 awarded in scholarships

About

Scholarship

On January 15, 1908, Ethel Hedgemon Lyle and fifteen young African American women fulfilled their dream when Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated was founded at Howard University in Washington, DC. Since 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated has implemented programs of service impacting countless lives.Within the mission of service, the international theme for 2022 to 2026 is Soaring to Greater Heights of Service & Sisterhood. Under this theme there are six initiatives: Empower Our Families, Build Our Economic Wealth, Enhance Our Environment, Advocate for Social Justice, and Uplift Our Local Community. Our “Foundation Initiative” is Strengthen Our Sisterhood as we strengthen our bonds to support our service mission. Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Iota Lambda Omega Chapter will address community needs using the six initiatives as their guide.The Pearl Foundation Scholarship supports the Educational Enrichment programs of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Iota Lambda Omega Chapter.

Scholarship Application Instructions

Selection

Criteria

All applications will be evaluated on the following criteria:

Applicants must be Howard County residents but do not have to attend a Howard County high school.
Applicants must be high school seniors.
If selected, applicants must be officially enrolled in a 2- or 4-year postsecondary institution the semester immediately following the date of the Pearl Foundation Scholarship award to receive the funds.
Immediate family members of Pearl Foundation, Inc. members and Iota Lambda Omega Chapter members are ineligible to apply for scholarships. Immediate family members are defined as children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, in-laws, adopted, half and step members. Immediate family members of other Alpha Kappa Alpha members are eligible to apply if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Applicants selected by the scholarship committee will be invited for an interview.

Application

Items

All applications must submit the following:

Completed Application Form
Resume that includes:
- Academic Achievements
- Awards and Recognition(s)
- School and Community activities
- Leadership positions held
An official transcript including 1st semester senior grades
Two reference letters (1) from a guidance counselor or teacher (on school letterhead), and (1) from community member that includes contact information (Recommendations can be uploaded to: https://forms.gle/A8721zmgdEEEAXv9A )
A 150-500-word essay(s) appropriate for the scholarship you are applying

Those applicants with the highest scoring applications will be interviewed before a panel and based on the panelist decisions, one applicant will be chosen.

Important Note: Applicants will be evaluated based on academic achievement, school activities, community service, and essay(s). The status of scholarship applications will be available to all applicants by Monday, April 1, 2024. (Incomplete applications will not be considered.)

Scholarship Application Instructions

Important Dates

Application
Opens

The application will be available starting January 1, 2024.

Application Deadline

Completed applications must be submitted by February 23, 2024, to be considered.

Status
Notices

Status of scholarship application will be available to all applicants by April 1, 2024.