ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS

view 2025 to 2026 academic scholarship recipeients

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 2025 to 2026 fiscal year, thanks to the Donor-Scholar Initiative, as well as the Thomas Cowan Bell Chapter Challenge program, 364 individuals were recognized specifically by the Foundation with awards totaling $600,000 — a 28% increase from last year’s $467,500 in awards.

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.

BY THE NUMBERS

— $600,000 awarded – a 28% increase from last year’s $467,500 in awards

— Applications received from 54.5% of our 239 chapters and associate chapters

— Total of 541 submitted applications received.

— 364 scholarships awarded.

— 67.5% of all applicants received an award.

 

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.

  • Effective July 1, 2023, any initiated member who does not complete the R4L program within 90 days from their initiation will be ineligible to receive a scholarship from the Sigma Chi Foundation. Please contact Ryan Wakefield, Managing Director of Chapter Support and Enhancement, if you have any questions, ryan.wakefield@sigmachi.org, (847) 425-4497. 

  • 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, significant others and friends are not acceptable.

  • Effective July 1, 2023, any initiated member who does not complete the R4L program within 90 days from their initiation will be ineligible to receive a scholarship from the Sigma Chi Foundation. Please contact Ryan Wakefield, Managing Director of Chapter Support and Enhancement, if you have any questions, ryan.wakefield@sigmachi.org, (847) 425-4497. 

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:
      • Founder Thomas Cown Bell sponsored by the Gill Family Foundation
      • Founder James Parks Caldwell sponsored by the Gill Family Foundation
      • Founder Daniel William Cooper sponsored by the Gill Family Foundation
      • Founder Issac M. Jordan in memory of John Thumel – first preference engineering major
      • Founder William Lewis Lockwood sponsored by the Gill Family Foundation
      • Founder Benjamin Piatt Runkle sponsored by the Gill Family Foundation
      • Founder Franklin Howard Scobey sponsored by the Gill Family Foundation
  • 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 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. ROTC students are not allowed to apply for this award.
  • 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 20 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 an up to $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 up to a $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
    • This scholarship is provided through the generous support of Brother Edward P. Kinsey, San Jose State 1979. The Edward Kinsey Scholarship will provide a minimum $1,000 academic scholarship to a qualified Sigma Chi graduate applicant pursuing a graduate degree in business or another business-related field of study and selected through the Sigma Chi Graduate Scholarship process.

DONOR-SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS

ALPHA

Alpha Donor Scholars

John W. Rohe Scholars

ALPHA BETA

Bret Sommers Scholars

ALPHA CHI

Glen O. Kirsch Scholars

Campbell “Cal” Stuckeman Scholars

ALPHA EPSILON

Robert L. Seidell Scholars

ALPHA LAMBDA

Paul M. Berge Excellence in Achievement Scholars

Daniel R. Huber Legacy Scholars

James O. Huber Legacy Scholars

Douglas J. Krueger Scholars

Albert O. Nicholas Leadership Scholars

Robert P. Pike Legacy Scholars

William H. Pope Memorial Scholars

Ragatz Scholar’s

ALPHA NU

Jack E. Guenther 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 DELTA

Harold P. Hanson Scholars

BETA ETA

Robert N. Rapp Scholars

BETA OMICRON

The Compass Scholars

BETA PHI

James Fiduccia Beta Phi Consul Scholars

Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Scholars

  1. Jack McDuff Scholars

BETA SIGMA

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

BETA UPSILON

Beta Upsilon Communications Scholars

Beta Upsilon Sweetheart Scholars

WSU Sigma Chi Seven Lights Scholars

 

BETA ZETA

Beta Zeta Bungaloo Scholars

CHI

Hon. Walter Lowrie Fisher Scholars

 

DELTA

Alston D. ‘Pete’ Correll Scholars

Delta Chapter Scholars

William L. Foster Scholars

John F. McMullan Scholars

DELTA DELTA

2008 Leadership Scholars

Dr. N. Reed Dunnick Scholars

Kenneth H. Kraft Scholars

John M. Puterbaugh Service Award 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 OMEGA

Dr. James A. Rodgers Memorial Scholars

DELTA PHI

Paul Perdue Memorial Scholars

DELTA PSI

Delta Psi Archibald L. Love III Scholars

DELTA SIGMA

Richard A. Mayoh Leadership Scholars –

DELTA TAU

Dr. RLD Davidson Scholars

DELTA THETA

David “AJ” Hall, The Chief Scholars

DELTA XI

Robert & Margaret Cook Scholars

Donald L. Kelm Scholars

Thomas & Linda Lang Scholars

Marc T. Lord Scholars

Jeremy Megroz Scholars

Captain Romero Scholars

DELTA ZETA

Delta Zeta Robert E. Joseph Scholars

EPSILON

Jonathan ‘Bubba’ Degner Memorial Scholars

Epsilon George C. Ruhle Scholars

EPSILON ETA

  1. Stephen Heinrichs Scholars

Robert ‘Mike’ Patton Scholars

EPSILON KAPPA

Capt. Brent Morel, USMC, Memorial Scholars

EPSILON MU

John V. Roach II Scholars

EPSILON PHI

Epsilon Phi Michael Upperman Legacy Scholars

 

EPSILON SIGMA

Epsilon Sigma Duncan Tabb Scholars

 

EPSILON THETA

Epsilon Theta Thomas Cowan Bell Scholars

Marvin D. “Swede” Johnson Scholars

EPSILON UPSILON

Epsilon Upsilon Executive Officer Scholars

Joseph J. Kubat Scholars

ETA

K.S. “Bud” Adams, Jr. Scholars

Walker Fielder Memorial Scholars

ETA DELTA

  1. Don Gilbert Scholars

ETA MU

Tom Holden Scholars

 

ETA PI

Eta Pi Founders’ Scholars

Lt. Alviz Fernandez H.O.P.E. 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 Eta Scholars

7 Founders Scholars

GAMMA NU

Gamma Nu Scholars

GAMMA PSI

James R. Dahlberg Scholars

“Sigma” Fry Scholars

GAMMA UPSILON

Brent and Justin Cobb Memorial Scholars

GAMMA XI

Gamma Xi Rudy Unguren Scholars

IOTA CHI

Iota Chi Emilio Cruz Scholars

 

KAPPA IOTA

Kappa Iota Chapter Donor Scholars
Kendall D. Anderson Kappa Iota Scholars

 

KAPPA ZETA

Kappa Zeta Michael Drummond Scholars

 

LAMBDA

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

 

LAMBDA PSI

John Robert Jones Memorial Scholars

 

LAMBDA XI

Andrew Walker Memorial Scholars

 

OMEGA

Cody Keenan Scholars

OMEGA OMEGA

Bunny Adcock Scholars

PHI PHI

Mark A. Kocent Scholars

 

TAU TAU

Harry Cheshire Scholars

Donald and Jean Frahm Scholars

 

THETA BETA

Randall S. & Elizabeth M. Coppersmith Scholars

THETA GAMMA

Andrew Boysen Memorial Scholars

UPSILON UPSILON

Upsilon Upsilon James Dougherty Scholars

XI XI

Bill and Jim Qualy Scholars

ZETA UPSILON

Alex Divaris Memorial Scholars

ZETA XI

Harold R. Strong Scholars

  • Central PA Province Sapoch Scholars
  • Paul W. Chellgren Scholars – Chapters in Kentucky
  • Cleveland Alumni Scholars– Northern Ohio
  • Ron Kostich/Inland Empire Alumni Scholars – Theta Sigma/Iota Alpha
  • Michigan Provincial Scholars– East / West Michigan
  • Craig Nason Los Angeles Alumni Chapter Scholars – Alpha Upsilon / Delta Eta / Eta Beta /
    Iota Omega / Kappa Omicron / Zeta Xi
  • Quimby Scholars – Beta Theta or Lambda Pi
  • Timothy Sanderson Canada Scholars – Chapters in Canada
  • Steve Schuyler Grand Canyon Province Scholars– Beta Phi, Epsilon Upsilon, Kappa Phi, Zeta Omicron
  • Wayne Tucker Memorial Scholars – Chapters in Texas
  • Donald Walker Scholars – Oklahoma/Arkansas Province and Beta Theta
  • Washington Alumni Chapter Scholars – Eastern Province
  • Keller Zibilich Memorial Scholars– Gamma Iota / Gamma Upsilon

  • Harrop-Harrington Scholars – Media, Arts, or Communications

  • Donald L. Kelm Scholars – Physical Sciences

  • Edward P. Kinsey Scholars – Business

  • John M. Shepherd Scholars – Engineering

  • Allen Family Scholars – First generation college student
  • Michael H. Dunn Scholars – Servant leadership
  • Robert P. Elsperman Scholars
  • Edward N. Koenig Memorial Scholars
  • Arthur “Buddy” Metcalf Memorial Scholars
  • Frank J. & Nancy Raymond Scholars
  • Clifford R. Roehm Memorial Scholars
  • Ron & Sharon Roller Diversity in Leadership Scholars – Strengthening diversity
  • PJ Stephens Memorial Scholars
  • Swiatkowski Welch Diversity and Equality Scholars – Strengthening diversity
  • Paul C. Varga Scholars – Varsity athletics
  • William P. Vititoe Scholars
  • William H. Walters Memorial Scholars – Strengthening diversity
  • Joanne Wolf Scholars
  • Earl A. Denton Scholars– International Affairs, Public Policy
  • Ravi D. Goel, M.D. Medical Scholars – Theta Upsilon
  • Mark P. Herschede Scholars – Engineering
  • Edward P. Kinsey Scholars – Business
  • William Kirtley “Kirt” Jacobs Family Scholars – Media, Arts, and Communications
  • Joe Martin Graduate Business Scholars
  • Sigma Chi Law Scholars
  • Sigma Chi Medical Scholars
  • Brothers Helping Brothers Scholars
  • John S. “Buz” and Kathleen Chavanu Gorman Scholars– Nursing (UG/Sweetheart)
  • 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.