OCE&SF Scholarship Applications

Our Cause Education & Scholarship Foundation Scholarship

The Our Cause Education & Scholarship Foundation (OCE&SF), in partnership with Theta Tau Sigma Alumni Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., awards academic scholarships to high school seniors in Northern Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax City, and Fairfax County) pursuing full-time enrollment in a college or university in the fall of this year. Awards are based on financial need, academic achievement, demonstrated leadership skills, and community service.

Eligibility:

  • All Male High School Senior
  • This year's high school graduate with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, based on a 4.0 scale.
  • Demonstrated community service, volunteer commitment, initiative, and leadership skills.
  • Resident of one of the following Virginia counties or cities: Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax City, or Fairfax County.
  • Written acceptance letter for the upcoming academic school year from your selected college or university
  • Completed application package, including the following:

Our Cause Education & Scholarship Foundation Scholarship Application

  • Completed application form, if under 18 years of age, the application form must be signed by a parent or guardian.
  • Official high school transcript(s)
  •  Applicant photo

Required Essay of 250 words minimum and 500 words maximum double-spaced

As part of the scholarship application process, we invite you to respond to the essay question below.

Important Note: If you use any AI tools to help draft or edit your essay, you must mention this in your application essay. Using AI will not disqualify you; however, we expect honesty and academic integrity.

Essay Theme: Leadership

Leadership is the ability to influence, guide, or inspire individuals or groups toward a common goal. Effective leadership can take many approaches, ranging from strategic and assertive to collaborative and service oriented. Leaders can motivate others through vision, empathy, accountability, innovation, honesty, and integrity. Throughout our nation, we see different leadership styles in the three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch has unique responsibilities and demonstrates specific decision-making processes and ways of leading people and shaping policies.

Examples of leadership styles include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Transformational Leadership inspires and motivates others to pursue change or improvement.
  • Servant Leadership focuses on helping others first and uplifting people.
  • Democratic/Collaborative Leadership Encourages involvement and collaborative decision-making.
  • Autocratic/Directive Leadership takes initiative and makes decisions independently.
  • Situational Leadership adapts leadership style based on circumstances or team needs.
As future leaders, we all have the chance to bring about positive change in our communities, workplaces, and country.

Essay Questions (Please respond to both prompts):

1. Who are the top three leaders of your lifetime?

  • Identify three leaders you admire.
  • Describe the form or style of leadership each person demonstrates.
  • Explain why each individual is among your top three leaders.

    2. Reflecting on your education and experiences, what type of leader do you aspire to be?

    • Specify the leadership qualities and style you plan to demonstrate.
    • Explain how your leadership will contribute to others and to our nation.

    • Two professional letters of recommendation (one from each category):
      • Based on your academic achievement (high school teacher, counselor, principal, etc.)
      • Based on your community service (religious leader, work supervisor, community, or volunteer project leader, etc

    PERSONAL INFORMATION

    EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

    High School(s) Attended
    College or University you will apply to for 2021 admission:
    Name of intended program or major at institution:
    (Include summer and/or holiday employment, internships, part-time positions, etc. Also include participation in service, charitable, athletic, and high school or campus organizations.)
    Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
    Official high school transcript(s)
    Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
    Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
    Required Essay of 250 words minimum and 500 words maximum double-spaced providing a detailed response to the following question: As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes a bigger part of our world, how should our government—through the Judicial, Legislative, and Executive branches—work to guide and control its use so that people continue to think, create, and connect with each other? What actions or rules should each branch take to make sure we don’t rely so heavily on AI that we lose our ability to think for ourselves and come up with new ideas? Please share specific ways you think the government can help balance the growth of AI with keeping people engaged and thoughtful. Essay will be judged on grammar, spelling, punctuation, content, and clarity of composition.
    Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
    Based on your academic achievement (high school teacher, counselor, principal, etc.)
    Click or drag a file to this area to upload.
    Based on your community service (religious leader, work supervisor, community, or volunteer project leader, etc.)

    I am a student who will be enrolled in a college or university degree program in the upcoming academic year.

    OCESF’s Scholarship Committee may release any material pertinent to my application, including letters of recommendation, transcripts, and personal statements, to the Executive Board of the Theta Tau Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., and OCESF to be used as appropriate and necessary.

    Any funds I receive from the OCESF scholarship will be used solely for the purpose of educational expenses.

    Payments will be issued within 30 days upon verification of enrollment. Forfeiture of the scholarship award will occur if pertinent information is not received by November 1st of this year. Scholarship payments will be sent directly to the university’s Business Office to ensure proper credit to your account.

    All decisions of the Scholarship Committee are final.

    I understand that submission of this application does not guarantee an award. Also, all scholarship applicants may be required to be available for interviews and attend a chapter scholarship award event and/or NPHC Black Scholars event. Failure to attend may result in forfeiture of the scholarship award.

    I grant permission to OCESF and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Theta Tau Sigma Chapter to use my name, comments, picture, or photography for public relations, advertising, or other lawful purposes. I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished version(s), including written copy that may be created in conjunction in addition to that. I understand that information from my official transcript(s), scholarship application, and submitted essay(s) may be used.

    Please note that typing your name into this form constitutes and electronic signature and indicates that all items submitted are true and correct per your knowledge.