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:
  • 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 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.
  • 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.)

Our Cause Education & Scholarship Foundation Scholarship Application

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.