Regional Scholarships

How do I submit my scholarship?

Be sure you meet with your chapter advisor prior to submitting your application to sign off on your 2023 Ohio Scholarship Application Form. Scan and upload your application form and essay in an e-mail. Send completed application form and each essay as a .pdf to Regional Coordinator David Sigmund. Applications without the advisor’s signature and required documentation will be disqualified.

Late entries or those not following the submission instructions/rubrics will be disqualified.
Ohio Scholarships Deadline: Friday, February 24, 2023 by 6pm EST.

Late entries or those not following the submission instructions/rubrics will be disqualified. All entries submitted will receive a confirmation e-mail from David Sigmund with confirmation of reception by Sunday, February 26, 2023.

Ohio Region Scholarship Application

Criteria For Regional Scholarships

Scholarship Judging Rubric


The 2023 Ohio Region Scholarships At A Glance

Scholarship Name Scholarship
Buckeye Scholarship $500 for service involved Phi Theta Kappans
John C. Kesler Scholarship $750.00 for Catalyst Registration and Travel Support
Dorthy C. Lanier Scholarship for Ohio Region $1000 for Leadership from controversy/challenge
Cindy L. Carbone Scholarship $500 for newly involved first-year members
Cherie Barth Completion Scholarship $1000 and 25 hours of graduating
Nina and Steven Wiley Scholarship $750 to help 1 recipient continue their community college studies
Most Valuable Member Scholarship $250 non-officer and nominated by others
Ohio Golden Opportunity Scholarship National & Regional Membership Fee waived plus free March Convention Registration

Verification must be met for each regional scholarship which can be found on the application form. All scholarship applicants must be active Phi Theta Kappa members who are enrolled as a student at a community college within the Ohio Region.

Brought to you by Alpha of Ohio Alumni Assocation

This scholarship recognizes outstanding members who are involved in their community. One $500.00 scholarship will be awarded each year to help the recipient continue their collegiate studies. An essay of 500 to 750 words is required and submitted in PDF format.

Applicant’s essay to respond to the following prompt:
"How has your Phi Theta Kappa experience enhanced your community involvement?""

Brought to you by Alpha of Ohio Alumni Assocation

This scholarship was established in honor of Dr. John C. Kesler, second Ohio Regional Coordinator, to provide one member of the Ohio Region the opportunity to attend the annual International Phi Theta Kappa Convention. The scholarship provides one registration fee at the Early Bird rate and travel expenses totaling $750.00 awarded to the chapter and to be used for the winning student) An essay of 500 to 750 words is required and submitted in PDF format.

Applicant’s essay to respond to the following prompt:
“Describe a person or event that has inspired you or someone else, and the impact that experience has had on your life. OR What does leadership mean to you? In your mind, who is an effective leader? What embodies effective leadership?”

Established by Willie Lanier for one annual scholarship for ten students

This scholarship was established in honor of Dr. Dorothy C. Lanier, aunt of Willie Lanier of Richmond, Virginia to honor the inspiration, dedication, and love provided by his aunt not only him but to students pursuing their educational and personal dreams. Mr. Lanier is a 1986 Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee and former middle linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs. The scholarship is in the amount of $1,000. An essay of 750-1000 words is required and submitted in PDF format.

Applicant’s essay to respond to the following prompt:
The quote by Martin Luther King, Jr., reflects Willie Lanier’s personal philosophy of success:
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Taking into consideration contemporary challenges and controversies, please write about a challenge or controversy for which you are or hope to be as a leader, and what you have already learned about leadership as a Phi Theta Kappan that will make you a more effective leader.”

Established 2015 (previously the “Leaders of Promise” Ohio Region Scholarship) Brought to you by Alpha of Ohio Alumni Association

This scholarship was established in honor of Cindy L. Carbone, the third Ohio Regional Coordinator, by Alpha of Ohio Regional Alumni Association and modeled after Headquarters Leaders of Promise Scholarship. It recognizes outstanding members who have shown leadership within Phi Theta Kappa. One $500.00 scholarship will be awarded each year to help the recipient continue their community college studies. Applicant must presently have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of application. Applicant must have completed 36 semester/54 quarter hours or less of college level course work prior to February 1, in the same year in which the scholarship is awarded at the Ohio Region Awards Convention. An essay of 500 to 750 words is required and submitted in PDF format.

Applicant’s essay to respond to the following prompt: “How has your Phi Theta Kappa experience enhanced your leadership skills and impacted your personal development? Discuss one Phi Theta Kappa event in which you played a significant role. If selected, what are your plans for this scholarship?”

Applicant must provide a letter of recommendation from an advisor, faculty member, or administrator attesting to their scholarship and leadership.

An unofficial transcript must be submitted with application to verify earned institution credit hours.

Brought to you by Ohio Phi Theta Kappa Specialty License Plate Funds

This scholarship recognizes outstanding Phi Theta Kappa members dedicated to scholarly studies. One $1,000 scholarship will be awarded each year for the purpose of assisting the recipient to complete their collegiate studies to attain first associate degree or certificate.

Applicant must be within 25 credit hours of graduating.

The scholarship is named after Advisor Emeritus Cherie Barth, who retired from Stark State College in 2017. As a chapter advisor, she worked with alumnus and advisor David Sigmund to establish the Ohio Region License Plate we steward today.

An essay of 500 to 750 words is required and submitted in PDF format.

Applicant must presently have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of application.

Applicant’s essay to respond to the following prompt: “Why is it important for students to complete a degree/certificate?”

Applicant must provide a letter of recommendation from an advisor, faculty member, or administrator attesting to their scholarship and leadership.

An unofficial transcript must be submitted with application to verify earned institution credit hours.

This scholarship was established by Nina and Steven Wiley. It recognizes outstanding members who can demonstrate critical thinking skills by challenging the status quo. One $750.00 scholarship will be awarded each year to help the recipient continue their community college studies. Applicant must presently have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher at the time of application. Applicant must have completed between 15 semester/22 quarter hours and 30 semester/45 quarter hours of college level course work prior to February 1, in the same year in which the scholarship is awarded at the Ohio Region Awards Convention. An essay of 500 to 750 words is required and submitted in PDF format.

Applicant’s essay to respond to the following prompt:
"Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?"

Applicant must provide a letter of recommendation from an advisor, faculty member, or administrator attesting to their scholarship and leadership.

An unofficial transcript must be submitted with application to verify earned institution credit hours.

Established in 2016 by members of the 2015-16 Ohio regional Officer team.
Brought to you in 2018 by former Ohio Region Officer

The Officers of the Ohio Region are more than aware that the pulse of greatness in our Region comes from our general members. This scholarship will be awarded to one member of the Ohio Region who has demonstrated excellence in the spirit of Phi Theta Kappa. This member only scholarship; i.e., an individual may not be an Ohio Region or Chapter Officer. The scholarship amount is $250.00.

Members may not nominate themselves. Nominations must be written by the current chapter officer team and the scholarship application must be co-signed by a chapter advisor. Include the following components in a brief essay of not more than 500 words and submitted in PDF format:

  1. 1. Engagement during College and Hallmarks projects
  2. Presence at general meetings, Regional Conferences, International and/or Honors Institute
  3. Other areas of service: Bake Sales, Blood Drives, Clothing Drives, Food Banks, etc.
  4. Leadership development engagement (i.e. Committee Chair for Relay for Life)

Established in 2017 by the 2017-18 Ohio Region Officer Team 2 Scholarships To Be Awarded

The Golden Opportunity Scholarship is Phi Theta Kappa’s first scholarship designed to increase access to the benefits of membership by helping students pay for membership when they simply cannot afford it. Membership in Phi Theta Kappa greatly increases student’s chances of reaching their educational goals and making their dreams a reality. With millions in scholarships and important opportunities to grow as scholars and leaders, students can’t afford not to accept membership.

This scholarship provides the international and regional membership fees ($65) for an eligible student to join Phi Theta Kappa. Additionally, the Ohio Golden Opportunity Scholarship Recipients receive one free non-transferable registration to attend the Ohio Region Awards Convention in March of the awarding year. Students who win a national Golden Opportunity Scholarship are not eligible for the scholarship at the regional level.

Students cannot be a member of Phi Theta Kappa to be eligible for this scholarship, but must be eligible for membership and appropriately uploaded to headquarters by their advisor.

Applicant’s essay of up to 500 words in PDF format to respond to the following prompt:
What would this Golden Opportunity (both joining Phi Theta Kappa and engaging in the March Hallmark Convention) mean to you?