Scholarships
& Grantslifelong support

Scholarships

Group of Sigma Kappas in Graduation Clothes

Sigma Kappa Foundation is devoted to supporting members in achieving their academic goals. By offering undergraduate and graduate scholarships, we believe no sister’s potential should be limited by her financial situation. Scholarships are investments in our collective future, empowering the next generation of leaders and change makers to thrive and give back to their communities.

Last year, 109 scholarships with over $127,000 awarded. While many scholarships are designated for members of specific chapters or areas of study, more than 20 are available to members at large. Applications open in January of each year. Applications submitted by the March deadline are reviewed and applicants notified of their status in April.

Members walking hand in hand

Scholarship List

Click here for the 2026-27 scholarships and criteria list.

Individual Emergency Grants

Emergency grants provide critical relief during life’s most challenging moments. They offer stability and hope when financial, health, or natural disasters strike. No sister ever walks alone; Sigma Kappa Foundation is here to lend a helping hand. Grant applications are accepted year round! For questions please email foundationgrants@sigmakappa.org or call 317-381-5531.

Available Grants

When a financial crisis hits, Sigma Kappa Foundation stands ready to help. The Alumnae Heart Fund, Collegiate Emergency Grant and the Sister to Sister Disaster Recovery Fund are available to all members needing support in moments of instability or hardship. To begin an application, sign up for a personal account through GivaGrant. These grants are funded by member donations and contributions are accepted at any time.

Emergency Grant Application

Alumnae Heart Fund

This Fund provides assistance to alumnae who find themselves facing financial distress, emergency or crisis through aging, medical, natural disaster, or other severe personal or family problems.

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Once an account is created, the Application Dashboard will display AVAILABLE applications. Select the specific application that fits your situation.

Collegiate Emergency Grant

The Collegiate Emergency Grant provides aid to truly needy collegiate members in good standing, who find themselves in financial distress, due to unforeseen life-changing circumstances. This grant does not need to be repaid unless the member changes their membership status during the grant award year. A change of membership status will result in full repayment of the grant.

Note: The Foundation is unable to provide grants for dues, per the Internal Revenue Service, as dues are not considered a basic necessity nor an educational expense, and, as a result, we cannot use tax deductible contributions for this purpose.

Apply Now

Once an account is created, the Application Dashboard will display AVAILABLE applications. Select the specific application that fits your situation.

Sister to Sister Disaster Recovery Fund

The Sister to Sister Disaster Recovery Fund provides financial relief to collegiate and alumnae sisters facing hardship after a Presidentially declared emergency. Grant applications for this Fund can be accepted for up to six months following the Presidential declaration.

Apply Now

Once an account is created, the Application Dashboard will display AVAILABLE applications. Select the specific application that fits your situation.

Leadership Grants

Sigma Kappa Foundation provides leadership grants for Sigma Kappa members to attend Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV) conferences, including AFLV Central and AFLV West, which take place early each year. These conferences offer participants the chance to strengthen their leadership abilities, foster personal growth and gain valuable skills to make a meaningful impact within their chapters and fraternity/sorority communities.

These grants are funded through the Elizabeth “Betty” Spencer Merman Memorial Endowment. Promotion for these leadership grant opportunities will begin this fall.

Chapter Grants

DEIA Chapter Grant

The vision of the DEIA Chapter Grant is for chapters to work with their campus diversity office to create an educational program for the chapter utilizing a speaker from the college or university. Topics may include unconscious bias, creating an inclusive environment within the chapter, cultural appropriation, privilege walk, inclusive language/inclusive language of diversity. Questions? Please email foundationgrants@sigmakappa.org or call 317-381-5531.

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Eligibility & Expectations:

Program must be educational in nature
Program must feature a facilitator external to the chapter
Program must have at least 50% of the chapter in attendance (virtual attendance is certainly acceptable)
Chapter must submit a grant report after the event and submit a list of action items to be taken by the chapter or individuals as next steps as a result of this program

Scholarship FAQs

If you have any questions not answered in the list below, please contact Teresa Glassman, senior director of engagement and impact, at 317-381-5531 or foundationscholarships@sigmakappa.org.

General Information

1. When is the application available for Sigma Kappa Foundation scholarships?
The application process opens Jan. 12, 2026; the deadline is Monday, March 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Scholarships are for members pursuing a degree during the 2026–27 academic year, which begins Fall 2026.

2. How do I apply?
The application link is LIVE only from Jan. 12, 2026 through March 2, 2026. Sigma Kappa Foundation uses GivaGrant for the application process; all questions and steps must be completed for your application to be evaluated.

3. What is GivaGrant?
GivaGrant is a third-party online application system. First-time users will be prompted to create an account. Must use this link to access application.

4. Who chooses the recipients?
A scholarship committee appointed by the Sigma Kappa Foundation reviews all submitted applications.

5. How many scholarships are awarded?
In the last cycle, 109 scholarships were awarded totaling over $127,000 in support.

6. To which term/semester/quarter is the financial award applied?
Awards are split across the academic year. For example, semester schools apply half in Fall and half in Spring.

7. What if I will only be in school one term?
This is addressed in the application. If selected, funds will be awarded in full for that single term.

8. How can I donate to a scholarship fund?
Click here, then select the fund you wish to support.

Eligibility

1. Who can apply?
Any Sigma Kappa member in good standing enrolled in a college degree program during the 2026–27 academic year, which begins in Fall 2026. New members must be initiated by April 1, 2026.

2. If I applied last year, can I apply again?
Yes, each application cycle is evaluated independently.

3. Will all applicants receive an award?
Unfortunately, not all applicants can be awarded scholarships.

4. Do I need to submit separate applications for each scholarship?
No, one application automatically qualifies you for all scholarships for which you meet the criteria.

5. I’m applying to graduate school but won’t know the outcome by the deadline. Should I apply?
Yes. If selected, school acceptance information will be required between March and April.

6. Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
No overall minimum, but some scholarships have specific GPA criteria. Check listings for details.

7. Can scholarships be used for membership dues?
No, they are for academic expenses only and paid directly to your school.

8. Can scholarships be used for study abroad?
Yes, if you remain in good standing and funds are used for academic expenses.

Application Information

1. Do I have to complete my application in one session?
No, you can save your progress and return later.

2. What key information should I have when applying?
Official cumulative GPA, personal essay and narrative responses.

3. What is meant by official cumulative GPA?
Your most recent official cumulative GPA. Accuracy is expected; false reporting disqualifies applicants.

4. Can I update my application after submission?
No edits can be made after submitting. For major concerns, contact foundationscholarships@sigmakappa.org.

5. Will I receive a submission confirmation?
Yes, confirmation is sent once your application is submitted.

Deadlines

1. When is the scholarship application due?
March 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

2. When will I be notified of selection status?
Early April.

Award Status Notification

1. If selected, what happens next?
You will receive an email with a checklist of materials to submit to the Foundation.

2. What happens after I submit the required materials?
You’ll receive confirmation that your checklist items have been received.

3. Where and when is the award check sent?
Checks are mailed directly to schools in mid-July.

4. Will my university notify me when the award is applied?
Notification varies. Check your student account near the start of the fall term.

Scholarships & Grants

Scholarships & Grantslifelong support