Sigma Tau Delta Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide to Requirements and Opportunities

Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University, offers its members a variety of scholarships to support their academic and professional goals. These scholarships, valued at up to $6,000 each, are a significant benefit of membership, providing financial assistance and recognition for outstanding achievement. This article provides a detailed overview of Sigma Tau Delta scholarships, including eligibility requirements, application procedures, and frequently asked questions, to help members maximize their chances of receiving an award.

Membership Requirements and Benefits

Before delving into the specifics of the scholarships, it's crucial to understand the requirements for becoming a member of Sigma Tau Delta. These requirements ensure that members have demonstrated a commitment to the study of English language and literature.

Eligibility Criteria for Undergraduate Membership:

Completion of a minimum of two college courses in English language or literature beyond the usual requirements in freshman English.
A minimum of a B or equivalent average in English and in general scholarship.
Ranking in at least the highest thirty-five percent of their class.
Completion of at least three semesters or five quarters of college course work.

It's important to note that undergraduate membership is not restricted to English majors or minors. Students with sufficient English coursework from transfer institutions or those who have been members of Sigma Kappa Delta are also eligible. The cost for a lifetime membership is $45, payable to Athens State University Sigma Tau Delta.

Benefits of Membership:

Sigma Tau Delta membership offers numerous benefits beyond scholarship opportunities, including:

Eligibility to apply for internships with major publishers and online bookstores that support worldwide literacy initiatives.
Opportunities to submit papers for publication in The Sigma Tau Delta Rectangle and The Sigma Tau Delta Review.
Eligibility to apply for a merit-based $1,000 scholarship to attend The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) Summer Institute or Capital Semester.
Eligibility for a $500 merit-based scholarship to attend The Washington Internship (WII) internship program through a partnership with WII and the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS).
Eligibility to apply for a $1,000 housing scholarship to attend The Washington Center (TWC) internship program through a partnership with TWC and the Association of College Honors Societies.
Opportunities to present creative and critical writing at the annual Sigma Tau Delta international convention, attend sessions on student leadership and chapter activities, and listen to presentations by noted authors.
Opportunities to compete for student leadership positions at the regional and Society levels.

Scholarship Opportunities

Sigma Tau Delta offers a diverse range of scholarships to support members at various stages of their academic careers. Each scholarship has specific eligibility criteria and application requirements, so it's essential to carefully review the details for each award.

Read also: Financial Aid for DSP Members

Scholarships Based on Academic Level:

Junior Scholarship (E. Nelson James Scholarship): This scholarship is awarded to students who are currently in their junior year of undergraduate study.
Senior Scholarship (Elva Bell McLin Scholarship): Students who are currently in their senior year of undergraduate study and will be continuing as a fifth-year senior in the fall are eligible for this scholarship. Applicants should plan to continue their enrollment as ongoing seniors in their undergraduate English-related program the fall semester after the scholarship is awarded.
First-Year Graduate Scholarship: This scholarship supports students who plan to begin a first year of graduate school in the fall. Students who are currently in their senior year of undergraduate study and will graduate this spring/summer, or members who have previously earned a baccalaureate degree but have not previously been enrolled in a graduate program, are eligible. Applicants should plan to be enrolled in a graduate English-related program the fall semester after the scholarship is awarded.
Graduate Scholarship (Edwin L. Stockton, Jr. Scholarship): Members are eligible for this scholarship if they are graduate students who will continue to be enrolled in an English-related graduate program during the fall of the next academic year.

Other Scholarship Opportunities:

William C. Johnson Distinguished Scholarship: This scholarship recognizes academic excellence and outstanding service to the Society at the local, regional, and/or national level. Applications should demonstrate academic achievement and campus, community, and chapter service, and applicants should explain the relevance of their program of study to fostering the discipline of English, including literature, language, writing, and literacy.
Continuing Education Scholarship (P.C. Somerville Award): This scholarship assists current student or alumni members in furthering their education on a part-time or non-degree-seeking basis in areas of study that are consistent with the mission of Sigma Tau Delta but that would not be eligible for other scholarships. Examples include teacher certification, summer coursework, publishing institutes, and professionalization opportunities.
P.C. Somerville Awards: These awards are for active members who will begin their first year of teaching elementary, middle, or high school English. To receive their stipends, winners must provide verification of the appropriate degree and of full-time employment by August 31.
Study Abroad Scholarship: This scholarship provides up to $3,000 for the purpose of studying in a program that furthers the applicant’s engagement with Sigma Tau Delta’s mission. Students must be studying for an academic term or year in a certified, undergraduate program outside the country in which the nominating chapter is located.
Short-Term Study Abroad Scholarship: This scholarship provides up to $1,500 to support participation in an undergraduate study-abroad program of less than an academic term. The program must be a certified, undergraduate program outside the country in which the nominating chapter is located, and it should further the applicant’s engagement with Sigma Tau Delta’s mission.
Summer Program Scholarship: These scholarships are for active undergraduate members, including seniors who are about to graduate at the time of application. The scholarship provides up to $2,000 for the purpose of attending a special summer program in the student’s home country that furthers the applicant’s engagement with Sigma Tau Delta’s mission. Qualifying summer programs must be at least three weeks in length and no longer than three months.
Scholarly Paper Award (Undergraduate and Graduate): Sigma Tau Delta will award up to $750 for the best undergraduate and graduate student scholarly paper presented at a non-Sigma Tau Delta professional, academic conference. The paper must be on an English-related subject and have been presented at a conference during the twelve months ending March 31 of the current year.
Sigma Tau Delta Regents’ Equity Scholarship: The highest scoring undergraduate scholarship applicant in each region who is Pell Grant eligible and who does not receive another scholarship is automatically considered for this scholarship.

General Requirements for Scholarship Recipients:

Before receiving any scholarship, successful applicants are typically required to provide proof of registration as full-time students in the programs described in their applications. Should winners not be able to provide such verification at the beginning of the fall semester following their application process, their awards may be presented to runners-up.

Application Process and Materials

To apply for Sigma Tau Delta scholarships, members must submit a comprehensive application package through AwardSpring. While specific requirements may vary depending on the scholarship, common application materials include:

Application Essay: A 200-400 word personal essay based on the writing prompt for the current application period. Judges have high standards regarding language usage and creativity.
Statement of Professional Goals and Program of Study: A brief (1-2 paragraphs) statement outlining professional/vocational goals, both immediate and long-term. (This is replaced by a Professional Statement for the P.C. Somerville Award.)
Academic Accomplishments and Service: A description of academic achievements and service contributions. For the William C. Johnson Distinguished Scholarship, service to Sigma Tau Delta is a particularly important component.
Unofficial College Transcript(s): An electronic copy of the applicant's most recent unofficial college transcript(s).
Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from people who know the applicant as a writer or scholar. At least one recommendation must be written by a college English Department faculty member. (The Continuing Education Scholarship requires only one letter of recommendation.)
Sample Paper: A sample paper is required for the William C. Johnson Distinguished Scholarship and some of the internships. It should be a paper the applicant considers exceptional, usually one written for an English-related course. Sigma Tau Delta may contact the professor to verify the paper is the applicant's original work.
Declaration of Authorship: A brief letter attesting to the fact that the critical essay submitted for the William C. Johnson Scholarship is the applicant's own original work and was a paper written for an academic course.
Study Abroad/Summer Program Statement: A 200-400 word statement explaining the nature and relevance of the program to the applicant's academic and professional goals and the mission of Sigma Tau Delta.

Tips for a Strong Application:

Plan Ahead: Allow ample time to gather all required materials and prepare a well-written application.
Follow Instructions Carefully: Adhere closely to the application instructions for each section.
Craft a Compelling Essay: The application essay is an opportunity to showcase your writing skills and passion for English.
Highlight Academic Achievements and Service: Emphasize your academic accomplishments and contributions to Sigma Tau Delta and the broader community.
Choose Recommenders Wisely: Select recommenders who can speak to your strengths as a writer and scholar.
Proofread Carefully: Ensure your application is free of errors in grammar and spelling.

Judging Process and Award Notification

Judges use rubrics to evaluate scholarship applications. The weighting or prioritizing of the judging process varies from scholarship to scholarship; for example, the William C. Johnson Distinguished Scholarship considers service to Sigma Tau Delta as a more important component than for some other scholarships. A Board member chairs the Scholarships and Academic Awards Committee, but does not routinely take part in the actual judging of applications.

Runners-up are next in line for the scholarship or award for which they applied. Should a winner be unable to accept a scholarship/internship/ award, the first runner-up in that competition would be offered the award (some categories do not have runners-up).

Frequently Asked Questions

Sigma Tau Delta provides answers to commonly asked questions about eligibility, application essays, sample papers, reusing materials, disqualification, the judging process, runners up, Regent Scholarships, and notifications. Here are some key points:

Read also: Kappa Sigma Fraternity

Eligibility for Members at Universities Without Active Chapters: For most scholarships and awards, applicants must be a student member of an active chapter. However, the Continuing Education Scholarship or the Graduate Scholarship may be exceptions.
Applying While Transferring Universities: Applicants can still apply even if they are transferring to a different university, regardless of whether the new institution has an active chapter. Proof of full-time enrollment in an English degree program or a program that fosters the discipline of English is required for fund disbursement.
Applying as a Fifth-Year Senior: Seniors who will not graduate in the spring but will be a fifth-year senior the following year are eligible to apply for a Senior Scholarship during their senior year.
Applying for Multiple Scholarships: Applicants may apply for more than one scholarship.
Application Essay Content: There are no set criteria for judging the application essays, but judges work with a rubric for the application as a whole and have high standards regarding language usage and creativity.
Reusing Application Materials: There is no rule that prohibits using the same application materials for two consecutive years, as long as the student continues to be eligible.
Using the Same Recommendations for Multiple Scholarships: Applicants may use the same recommendations for multiple scholarships.

Read also: Cracking the Two Sigma Internship

tags: #sigma #tau #delta #scholarships #requirements