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ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

click here to view our 2024 to 2025 recipients

OVERVIEW OF SCHOLARSHIPS & AWARDS

Each year, generous donations from our alumni and friends make it possible for the Sigma Chi Foundation to grant academic scholarships and awards to our deserving undergraduate and graduate brothers and sweethearts.

Providing scholarships and academic awards furthers the Foundation’s goal to promote academic excellence and volunteerism. We proudly award brothers who show outstanding leadership, academic motivation and commitment to their chapters and communities.

During the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year, thanks to the Donor-Scholar Initiative, as well as the Thomas Cowan Bell Chapter Challenge program, 283 individuals were recognized specifically by the Foundation with awards totaling $423,500.

Awards include undergraduate general academic scholarships, chapter sweetheart scholarships, military service awards and graduate scholarships in international business, engineering, medicine, general academic studies, media and law.

Additional awards supported by the Foundation include the International Balfour Award, International Sweetheart scholarship, Daniel William Cooper and Legion of Honor recipients.

For more information on Sigma Chi's academic scholarships program contract Scholarship Administrator Heidi Holley via email or at 847-425-4470.

  • Motivate our brothers to reach their full potential as leaders.
  • Support our brother's academic endeavors.
  • Reward hard work and character.
  • Recognize and encourage excellence.
  • Support the studies of brothers who have financial need.
  • Undergraduate member or pledge in good standing of Sigma Chi Fraternity
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
  • Copy of your most recent transcript
  • Two letters of recommendation: chapter advisors, college professors and staff, high school teachers, employers, coaches, members of the clergy and co-workers are all good choices. Letters of Recommendation from your undergraduate chapter brothers/peers, family members and friends are not acceptable.
  • Member in good standing of Sigma Chi Fraternity
  • Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Copy of your most recent transcript
  • Two letters of recommendation: one letter of recommendation must be from a dean, professor or professional colleague and the other letter should be from a Sigma Chi alumnus you have known for at least a year. Letters of Recommendation from family members and friends are not acceptable.

GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

  • General Academic Scholarship Award
    All applicants to the General Undergraduate Scholarship will be considered for the Founders’ Scholarship, Bell Chapter (if applicable), and available Donor-Scholar awards. You do not have to complete a separate application for any of these awards.

 

  • Donor Scholarships (see Donor Scholars Program)

 

  • Sigma Chi Founders' Scholarships
    • The Sigma Chi Foundation Founders’ Scholar awards will be awarded to the top seven undergraduate applicants based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership, and chapter involvement:
      • Up to $10,000 — Founder William Lewis Lockwood Scholarship, in honor of Chuck and Kim Watson
      • Up to $10,000 — Founder Franklin Howard Scobey Scholarship, in honor of John and Nancy Peterson
      • Up to $10,000 — Founder Daniel William Cooper Scholarship
      • Up to $10,000 — Founder Thomas Cowan Bell Scholarship, in honor of Bob and Sabrina Johnson
      • Up to $10,000 — Founder James Parks Caldwell Scholarship, in honor of Joseph and Judy Durzo
      • Up to $10,000 — Founder Issac M. Jordan Scholarship, in memory of John Thumel, NORTHWESTERN 2015, awarded to a qualified applicant with initial preference given each year to brothers pursuing a degree in engineering
      • Up to $10,000 — Founder Benjamin Piatt Runkle Award

 

  • Military Service Scholarship

    • This scholarship award was established through the generous support of Significant Sigs Timothy A. Michael, OHIO STATE 1970, John G. Berylson, BROWN 1975, and Dr. Daniel P. Walsh, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 1971, and other brothers. The Military Service Scholarship Award provides academic scholarships, in varying amounts beginning at $1,000, to undergraduate and graduate Sigma Chi Brothers who are currently serving or have served on active duty in their country's military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or National Guard. For more information on this award, click here.

  • Denton International Business Scholarship
    • A gift from Leona Denton, wife of Earl A. Denton, Chicago 1929, inaugurated the Denton Scholarship Award. The award provides a minimum $1,000 grant to a student pursuing a graduate degree in the field of International Affairs with an emphasis in World Trade, Economics, Business or Political Science. Brother Denton owned and operated a Chicago-based international trade firm. It was his desire that recipients of this award will have an impact in the area of world trade.

 

  • Herschede Engineering Scholarship
    • Order of Constantine Sig Mark P. Herschede, CINCINNATI 1940, established the Herschede Engineering Scholarship to benefit brothers pursuing a graduate degree in the field of engineering. This award provides a minimum of $1,000 in scholarship support.

 

  • General Graduate Scholarship
    • The General Graduate Scholarship is presented to qualified members of Sigma Chi Fraternity pursuing their first year of graduate level study in any academic field. The award provides a minimum of $1,000 in scholarship support.

 

  • Military Service Scholarship
    • This scholarship award was established through the generous support of Significant Sigs Timothy A. Michael, OHIO STATE 1970, John G. Berylson, BROWN 1975, and Dr. Daniel P. Walsh, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 1971, and other brothers. The Military Service Scholarship Award provides academic scholarships, in varying amounts beginning at $1,000, to undergraduate and graduate Sigma Chi Brothers who are currently serving or have served on active duty in their country's military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or National Guard. For more information on this award, click here.

 

  • Sigma Chi Law Scholarship
    • This scholarship award is provided through the generous support of an anonymous brother. The Law Scholarship Award provides a $1,000 academic scholarship to a qualified Sigma Chi graduate through the Graduate Scholarship process and enrolled at a United States A.B.A.-accredited law school.

 

  • Sigma Chi Medical Scholarships
    • The Sigma Chi Medical Scholarship is presented to (a) graduate student(s) pursuing a career in medicine with primary consideration given to financial need. Over the past ten years, the scholarship has been made possible by Significant Sig Dr. Daniel Walsh, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 1971, a prior Sigma Chi Foundation Buckby Medical Scholarship winner, in honor of his parents Sidney G. and Juanita E. Walsh. Today the Scholarship is sustained by Sigma Chi brothers who have in the past benefited from the Buckby Medical Scholarship and the generosity of our alumni Brothers in general. The award provides a minimum of $1,000 in scholarship support.
    • Ravi Goel, M.D. Medical Scholars — This scholarship award is provided through the generous support of Dr. Ravi D. Goel, YALE 1993. The Goel Medical Scholarship Award provides a $1,000 scholarship to a qualified graduate attending medical school and selected through the Sigma Chi Medical Graduate Scholarship process from any Sigma Chi chapter with initial preference each year given to a qualified applicant from the Theta Upsilon chapter.

 

  • Jacobs Family Scholarship (Media, Arts & Communications)
    • This scholarship award is provided through the generous support of Significant Sig William Kirtley “Kirt” Jacobs, KENTUCKY 1994. The Kirt Jacobs Scholarship Award provides a minimum $1,000 academic scholarship to a qualified Sigma Chi graduate and selected through the Sigma Chi Graduate Scholarship process with initial preference each year given to an applicant pursuing a graduate degree in the field of study in the areas of media, arts or communications.

 

  • Joe Martin Graduate Business Scholars
    • This scholarship award is provided through the generous support of Order of Constantine Sig and Significant Sig Joe W. Martin, HOUSTON 1976. The Joe Martin Graduate Business Scholarship Award provides a $1,500 academic scholarship to a qualified Sigma Chi graduate studying for a graduate degree in business or in business related studies and selected through the Sigma Chi Graduate Scholarship process. Applicants must have a 3.0 combined GPA or a 3.0 GPA in their last semesters of study.

 

  • Edward Kinsey Business

 

DONOR-SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

ALPHA

Alpha Scholars

John W. Rohe Scholars

 

ALPHA CHI

Glen O. Kirsch Scholars

Campbell “Cal” Stuckeman Scholars

 

ALPHA EPSILON

Robert L. Seidell Scholars

 

ALPHA LAMBDA

Douglas J. Krueger Scholars

William H. Pope Memorial Scholars

 

ALPHA OMEGA

Alpha Omega Scholars

 

ALPHA OMICRON

Jeffrey Peter Taft Class of 1989 Scholars

 

ALPHA PHI

John H. Foote Greystone Scholars

Hon. Gordon J. Whiting Scholars

 

ALPHA UPSILON

Sam Levine Scholars

Danielle and Brett White Scholars

 

ALPHA XI

Scott Williams Scholars

 

BETA CHI

Emanuel (Manny) Bondi Memorial Scholars

 

BETA DELTA

Harold Hanson Beta Delta Scholars

 

BETA ETA

Robert N. Rapp Scholars

 

BETA PHI

James Fiduccia Beta Phi Consul Scholarship

Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Scholars

Jack McDuff Scholars

 

BETA SIGMA

Marshall D. Johnson and Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Scholars

 

BETA UPSILON

WSU Sigma Chi Seven Lights Scholars

 

BETA ZETA

Beta Zeta Bungaloo Scholars

 

CHI

Hon. Walter Lowrie Fisher Scholars

 

DELTA

Alston D. (Pete) Correll Scholars

John F. McMullan Academic Scholars

Delta Chapter Scholars

 

DELTA DELTA

Kenneth H. Kraft Scholars

 

DELTA ETA

Dick “Bulldog” Barley Scholars

Paul J. Hering Consul Scholars

Joe McGinley Scholars

 

DELTA KAPPA

Bill Ingram Scholars

Larry & Linda Oman Scholars

 

DELTA MU

David M. Underwood, Jr. Scholars

 

DELTA PHI

Paul Perdue Chapter Memorial Scholars

 

DELTA TAU / SIGMA CHI TAU

Dr. RLD Davidson Scholars

Murer Family Scholars

 

DELTA THETA

David “AJ” Hall, The Chief Scholars

 

DELTA XI

Robert & Maragaret Cook Scholars

Thomas & Linda Lang Delta Xi Scholars

Marc T. Lord Scholars

Jeremy Megroz Scholars

Captain Romero Scholars

 

EPSILON

Jonathan ‘Bubba' Degner Memorial Scholars

 

EPSILON KAPPA

Capt. Brent Morel, USMC, Memorial Scholars

 

EPSILON PHI

Epsilon Phi Michael Upperman Legacy Scholars

 

EPSILON THETA

Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Scholars

 

EPSILON UPSILON

Epsilon Upsilon Executive Officer

Joseph J. Kubat Scholars

 

ETA

K.S. “Bud” Adams, Jr. Scholars

Walker Fielder Memorial Scholars

 

ETA DELTA

Don Gilbert Scholars

 

ETA SIGMA

Eta Sigma Chapter Anniversary Scholars

 

ETA UPSILON

Alan B. Mitchell Scholars

 

GAMMA CHI

Parsons Family Leadership Scholars

 

GAMMA DELTA

Kenneth E. Case Scholars

 

GAMMA ETA

Ethan Chapin Memorial Scholars

 

GAMMA PSI

James R. Dahlberg Scholars

 

GAMMA UPSILON

Brent and Justin Cobb Memorial Scholars

 

KAPPA IOTA

Kappa Iota Chapter Donor Scholars

 

LAMBDA

James & Connie Bash Scholars

James L. Beattey III Scholars

John A. Elwood Scholars

Carl Scering Memorial Scholars

 

LAMBDA LAMBDA

Lambda Lambda 1960’s Scholars

Dr. Constantine W. Curris Lambda Lambda Scholars

 

MU DELTA

Wilson M. Ferrell Memorial Scholars

 

OMEGA

Cody S. Keenan Scholars

 

OMEGA OMEGA

Bunny Adcock Scholars

 

PHI PHI

Mark A. Kocent Scholars

 

RHO

James & Connie Bash Scholars

 

TAU TAU

Harry Cheshire Scholars

Donald and Jean Frahm Scholars

 

THETA BETA

Randall S. & Elizabeth M. Coppersmith Scholars

 

THETA GAMMA

Andrew Boysen Memorial

 

XI XI

Bill Qualy and Jim Qualy Donor Scholars

 

ZETA UPSILON

Alex Divaris Memorial

 

ZETA XI

Harold R. Strong Scholars

  • Paul W. Chellgren Scholars — Chapters in Kentucky
  • Ron Kostich / Inland Empire Scholarship
  • M. Craig Nason Los Angeles Alumni Chapter Scholarship Program — Alpha Upsilon / Delta Eta / Eta Beta / Iota Omega / Kappa Omicron and Zeta Xi
  • Quimby Scholars — Beta Theta or Lambda Pi
  • Steven G. Schuyler Grand Canyon Province Scholarship — Beta Phi / Epsilon Upsilon / Kappa Phi or Zeta Omicron
  • L. Wayne Tucker Memorial Scholars — Chapters in Texas
  • Donald Walker Scholars — Oklahoma/Arkansas Province and Beta Theta
  • Washington Alumni Chapter — Eastern Province
  • Allen Family Scholars — first generation college student, preference to members raised and graduated from a high school in Nebraska or Oklahoma
  • Michael H. Dunn Servant Leadership Scholars
  • Robert P. Elsperman Scholars
  • Harrop-Harrington Scholars — media, arts or communications
  • Edward N. Koenig Memorial Scholars
  • Commander Steven C. Larson Leadership
  • Arthur “Buddy” Metcalf Memorial Scholars
  • Frank J. & Nancy Raymond Scholars
  • Clifford R. Roehm Memorial Scholars 
  • Ron & Sharon Roller Diversity in Leadership – priority based on applicant being committed to strengthening our brotherhood through membership comprised of men with different temperaments, talents, and convictions. Inclusion indicators may be based on race, ethnicity, country of origin, sexual orientation, financial need, and men who hold at least one office within Sigma Chi.
  • Swiatkowski Welch Diversity and Equality Scholarship
  • John M. Shepherd Scholars – engineering
  • Paul C. Varga Scholars – varsity athletics
  • William P. Vititoe Scholars
  • William H. Walters Memorial Scholars – strengthening diversity
  • Joanne Wolf Scholars
  • Denton – International Affairs
  • Herschede – Engineering
  • William Kirtley “Kirt” Jacobs Family Scholars – Media, Arts and Communications
  • Sigma Chi Law Scholars
  • General Graduate Scholars – graduate level studies in any academic field
  • Joe Martin Graduate Business Scholars
  • Sigma Chi Medical Scholars
  • Ravi D. Goel M.D. Medical Scholars – Theta Upsilon
  • John S. “Buz” and Kathleen Chavanu Gorman Scholars — Sigma Chi members and sweethearts enrolled in an accredited nursing program or equivalent.
  • Jim and Carol McFerrin Scholars — Tau Tau
  • Military Service Scholars
  • Sigma Chi Sweetheart Scholars

SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

In keeping with our mission to help brothers in need, your Sigma Chi Foundation is pleased to announce the Brothers Helping Brothers Scholarship opportunity. Scholarships are available to undergraduate brothers who have been adversely affected by hardship, such as long-term unemployment or the effects of a natural disaster.

In the event of a hardship, information regarding application will appear here. Consideration for the Brothers Helping Brothers Fund will also be included in the criteria for annual scholarship awards available each spring.

Please help us support our brothers in need. To learn more or make a donation click here.

Click here to apply for this special award.

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Thanks to the generous support of 21st International Sweetheart Dr. Jacqueline Dupont Carlson, Sigma Chi became the first men's Fraternity to award general academic scholarships annually to a qualified Sweetheart of a Sigma Chi undergraduate chapter to support their undergraduate or graduate studies.

Sweethearts who meet the undergraduate or graduate requirements are eligible to apply for one of the four annual minimum $1,000 awards.

To apply for this award, sweethearts will need to log in or set up an account through Sigma Chi's scholarships portal.

The application process begins in January and concludes in April each academic year.

  • International Balfour Award
    • The International Balfour Award has been awarded annually since the 1929 to 1930 academic year when Paul Hagemann, WASHINGTON (ST. LOUIS) 1930, was recognized as the inaugural recipient. The committee that oversees the award selects the individual who they believe to be the Fraternity's most outstanding graduating senior based on his achievements in scholastics, campus and community involvement, and Sigma Chi involvement. The award is generously funded by Significant Sig Brandon Chaney, INDIANA 1991, proprietor and CEO of Fairwinds Estate Winery and In Hoc Napa Valley

 

  • Daniel William Cooper Award
    • This annual award honors the undergraduate chapter that has the most outstanding scholastic achievement program. The winning chapter receives a plaque, an educational grant from the Sigma Chi Foundation and has its name engraved on the Daniel William Cooper Award trophy on display in the Sigma Chi Museum at Headquarters. Recipients of this award are chosen from the pool of Peterson Significant Chapter Award applicants.

 

  • Legion of Honor Awards
    • These awards are presented to those chapters that have through their annual report demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence.

 

  • International Sweetheart Scholarship
    • Funded by the Ronald P. Robertson International Sweetheart Fund, this $10,000 award is given annually to the current International Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.

 

  • Summer Intern Scholarships
    • Sigma Chi's summer interns receive an academic scholarship as a thank you for their hard work and service in support of the Fraternity.

 

Sigma Chi Foundation

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
TAX ID #36-2208386
1714 Hinman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 869-3655

Foundation@sigmachi.org

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