Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
Gamma Delta Chapter
Richmond, VA
Established November 27, 1954
Our chapter proudly supports students right here at home. To ensure we uplift the communities closest to us, our scholarships are available exclusively to students who live in Richmond, Virginia, or within a 50-mile radius of the city.
Eligible areas include surrounding cities and counties such as (but not limited to): Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover, Hopewell, Petersburg, Colonial Heights, and Prince George, along with any other communities that fall within the 50-mile range.
If you’re unsure whether your address qualifies, don’t worry, applicants can simply provide their ZIP code during submission, and we’ll confirm eligibility. We’re committed to investing in the bright minds of our region, helping local students take the next step toward their goals.
Fredda Witherspoon National Scholarship
DEADLINE SUBMISSION: January 15, 2026
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority awards scholarships for scholastic achievement to female graduating high school seniors wishing to pursue a college degree in business related fields. The National Scholarship is held annually. Judging criteria will include academic performance/achievement, career aspirations, demonstrated leadership, and financial need. Four $5,000 regional scholarships and one $10,000 national scholarship will be awarded annually.
Guidelines:
• Scholarship Consent Form signed by applicant and parent/legal guardian if under the age of 18.
• Student Application signed by applicant and parent/legal guardian if under the age of 18.
• A current official/certified academic transcript.
• Two letters of recommendation
• A 300-500 word autobiographical essay that includes career aspirations, leadership experiences,
and significant achievements.
• Family income documentation (Copy of first page of the most recent IRS 1040 or IRS Tax Return
Transcript, please redact Social Security Number)
• Supporting Documentation
• Business/professional photograph
A complete application package must be uploaded and submitted electronically using Google Form.
All submissions will be accepted in the form of a PDF document and applications typewritten.
All SIGNATURE and REGISTRATION FORMS MUST be completed and signed where required (pen and ink ONLY)
Click here for the Scholarship Information
Click here for the Consent Form and Application
Future Iota Leaders (FIL) Scholarship
DEADLINE SUBMISSION-February 15, 2026
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. is proud to offer a one-time $7,000.00-tiered Future Iota Leaders
Scholarship. This scholarship offers financial support and is awarded to three (3) deserving FIL, a high
school senior, who will pursue a degree in a business-related field of study. The scholarship is for one
year and will be sent directly to the college or university which he/she attends.
Judging criteria will include academic performance/achievement, career aspirations, demonstrated
leadership, and financial need. A committee of non-partisan judges will judge all applications. All
decisions of the judges are final.
These scholarships are available through submission from local chapters only. A chapter may submit
multiple applicants.
• Tiered Scholarship, 1st Place - $3,500.00, 2nd Place - $2,000.00, 3rd Place - $1,500.00, will be
awarded annually. Awards are sent to the selected college or university to be applied to the
recipient’s tuition.
• Applicants must be a male or female graduating high school senior with minimum of 3.0 GPA.
• The college selected by the scholarship recipient must be an accredited institution.
• The scholarship recipients will be officially notified in May by the National President-Elect.
• The scholarship recipients must provide proof of enrollment before funds are allocated.
• The applicant must provide a photo and signed photo release.
The Application Packet must include the following:
• Scholarship Consent Form signed by applicant and parent/legal guardian if under the age of 18.
• Student Application signed by applicant and parent/legal guardian if under the age of 18.
• A current official/certified academic transcript.
• Three letters of recommendation
• A 300-500 word autobiographical essay that includes how your involvement in the FIL Auxiliary
has influenced your life, career aspirations, leadership experiences, and significant
achievements.
• Family income documentation (Copy of first page of the most recent IRS 1040 or IRS Tax Return
Transcript, please redact Social Security Number)
• Supporting Documentation
• Business/professional photograph
A complete application package must be uploaded and submitted electronically using Google Form.
All submissions will be accepted in the form of a PDF document and applications typewritten.
All SIGNATURE and REGISTRATION FORMS MUST be completed and signed where required (pen and ink ONLY)
Gamma Delta Chapter Scholarship
Dorothy B. Lee Scholarship
DEADLINE SUBMISSION – March 31, 2026
Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated is an organization of business and professional women, whose focus is to encourage young women entering the field of business and/or other professions. We do offer these scholarships to both young women and young men. Gamma Delta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. located in Richmond, VA, is pleased to announce the 2026 Dorothy B. Lee Scholarship that will be awarded to a graduating female or male high school student who plans to enter the field of business and/or other professions.
The winner of the scholarship will be awarded $1,000 and notified in late June/early July 2026. To qualify, each prospective candidate must meet the following criteria:
1. Be a High School Senior with a grade point average (GPA) at least “2.5”
2. Submit a letter of recommendation from school personnel
3. Major course of study in college must be in Business or a related field.
4. Submit an unofficial transcript.
5. Submit supporting documentation (pictures, copies of certificates) for all activities, awards, and accomplishments.
6. Completed application (Electric Signatures will be accepted on the completed application) ➢ Application and supporting documentation (letter from school personnel) will be accepted in the form of a PDF document and uploaded by March 31, 2026, using the Google Form below (click Apply)
All SIGNATURE and REGISTRATION FORMS MUST be completed and signed where required.
Anna J. Steen National Scholarship
DEADLINE SUBMISSION – February 28, 2026
Gamma Delta Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. located in Richmond, Virginia is pleased to announce the 2026 Anna J. Steen Scholarship that is awarded to a graduating female high school student who plans to enter the field of business and/or other professions. The highly competitive award is conducted by the Eastern Region of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., and administered through the local chapters. Contestants with the supervision of sponsoring chapters must mail their applications to the National President Elect. The 2 winners of the scholarship will be awarded $1,500 and notified in May.
A complete application package must be uploaded and submitted electronically using Google Form.
All submissions will be accepted in the form of a PDF document and applications typewritten.
All SIGNATURE and REGISTRATION FORMS MUST be completed and signed where required (pen and ink ONLY)
Click here for Scholarship Information
Click here for Scholarship Consent Form & Application
IOTA PHI LAMBDA SORORITY, INC.
“EMPOWERING EXCELLENCE” HBCU SCHOLARSHIP
DEADLINE SUBMISSION – January 31, 2026
The “Empowering Excellence” Scholarship, sponsored by Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc., is established to
support and encourage promising African American students who are pursuing higher education at
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This scholarship seeks to recognize students who
demonstrate a strong commitment to academic achievement, leadership, community service, and
personal growth.
A $2,000 award will be granted to five recipients annually, one from each of the Sorority’s regions, total
$10,000. All scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the recipient’s accredited HBCU to be applied
toward tuition, fees, or other educational expenses, in accordance with institutional policies.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
This scholarship is available through submission from local chapters only. A chapter may submit only
one applicant for this scholarship. Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements to apply for
the “Empowering Excellence” HBCU Scholarship.
• Be a current college student enrolled full-time at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU)
• Have completed a minimum of 16 credit hours of study at the time of application.
• Hold a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or 2.0 on a 3.0 scale.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
The Application Packet must include the following:
• Scholarship Consent Form signed by applicant and parent/legal guardian if under the age of 18.
• Student Application signed by applicant and parent/legal guardian if under the age of 18.
• Provide an official current/certified transcript of academic program.
• Two letters of recommendation
• A 500-650 word essay using one of the two prompts provided.
• Supporting Documentation
• Provide a business/professional photograph.
A complete application package must be uploaded and submitted electronically using Google Form.
All submissions will be accepted in the form of a PDF document and applications typewritten.
All SIGNATURE and REGISTRATION FORMS MUST be completed and signed where required (pen and ink ONLY)
Click here for Scholarship Information
Dorthea N. Hornbuckle Memorial Scholarship
DEADLINE SUBMISSION – February 28, 2026
Each year, Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. will award the Dorethea N. Hornbuckle Memorial Scholarship (DNHMS) to a graduating high school student or a continuing college student, who graduated from high school within the past 4 years, enabling them to pursue or continue academic studies in the field of business, business administration, science, or engineering at an institution of higher learning of their choice located in the United States of America.
The DNHMS is a one-time award that provides a college scholarship up to $3,000 for the academic year for students pursuing a degree at a four-year institution. Upon receipt of enrollment verification, the scholarship will be awarded and made payable to the recipient’s educational institution.
Guidelines:
• Undergraduate (full-time) student or graduating high school student transitioning to college.
• Pursuing a degree in Business, Business Administration, Science or Engineering
• Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent
• Attending or planning to attend a post-secondary, accredited institution.
• Community service involvement within past 12 months with certified documentation
The Application Packet must include the following:
• Scholarship Registration Form signed by applicant and parent/legal guardian if under the age of 18.
• Student Application signed by applicant and parent/legal guardian if under the age of 18.
• A current official/certified academic transcript.
• Two letters of recommendation
• A 300-500 word autobiographical essay that includes career aspirations, leadership experiences,
community service involvement, and significant achievements.
• Family income documentation (Copy of first page of the most recent IRS 1040 or IRS Tax Return
Transcript, please redact Social Security Number)
• Supporting Documentation
• Business/professional photograph
A complete application package must be uploaded and submitted electronically using Google Form.
All submissions will be accepted in the form of a PDF document and applications typewritten.
All SIGNATURE and REGISTRATION FORMS MUST be completed and signed where required (pen and ink ONLY)
Click here for the Scholarship Information
Alice P. Allen Scholarship
DEADLINE SUBMISSION – March 15, 2026
The Alice P. Allen National Scholarship is named in honor of Iota’s second National President (1946-1950). This $2,000 scholarship is to be awarded to a teenage mother desiring to further her education beyond high school. Judging criteria will include academic performance, demonstrated leadership, career aspirations and financial need. Applicant, with the supervision of sponsoring chapter, must email completed application packet to the National President Elect.
Essay Guidelines:
• Applicant must be a graduating high school senior and a teenage mother.
• The college selected by the scholarship recipient must be an accredited institution.
• The $2,000.00 scholarship is a one-time award and is sent to the selected college or university to
be applied to the recipient’s tuition.
• The scholarship recipient will be officially notified in May by the National President-Elect.
• The scholarship recipient must provide proof of enrollment before funds are allocated.
The Application Packet must include the following:
• Scholarship Consent Form signed by applicant and parent/legal guardian if under the age of 18.
• Student Application signed by applicant and parent/legal guardian if under the age of 18.
• A current official/certified academic transcript.
• Two letters of recommendation
• A 300-500 word autobiographical essay that challenges encountered as a single parent pursuing
an education, career aspirations, leadership experiences, significant achievements, and
financial need.
• Family income documentation (Copy of first page of the most recent IRS 1040 or IRS Tax Return
Transcript, please redact Social Security Number)
• Supporting Documentation
• Business/professional photograph
A complete application package must be uploaded and submitted electronically using Google Form.
All submissions will be accepted in the form of a PDF document and applications typewritten.
All SIGNATURE and REGISTRATION FORMS MUST be completed and signed where required (pen and ink ONLY)
Click here for Scholarship Information
Evelyn D. Wilkey National Youth Essay Contest
2025 National Essay Topic:
"Why is it important for students to consider a wide range of careers, including those outside of traditional paths?"
DEADLINE SUBMISSION – NOVEMBER 12, 2025
The National Essay Contest is open to all middle and high school students. Each chapter may sponsor a student in each of the categories, being sure to judge each within his/her correct age/school category. Each student will prepare her/his subject based on the National American Education Week theme or National Board selected theme based on relevant issues.
The winners will receive the following:
High School
~ Local ~
1st Place: $50.00
~ National ~
1st Place: $500.00
2nd Place: $250.00
3rd Place: $100.00
Middle School
~ Local ~
1st Place: $50.00
~ National ~
1st Place: $500.00
2nd Place: $250.00
3rd Place: $100.00
Essay Guidelines:
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Double-spaced typewritten pages (500 words)
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Original work (credit and quoted sources)
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Artificial Intelligence tools are limited to spelling/grammar support.
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Submit your essay on 8 1/2 x 11-inch white copy paper.
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All applications are accepted in the form of PDF document uploading using Google Form.
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Title page include- Essay Title, Student's Name, School Name & Grade Level. Clear introduction, body and conclusion.
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Personal Picture.
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Declaration and Permission Statement.
"Click here for application"