VELENA SMITH JOHNSON
BOOK STIPEND SCHOLARSHIP 

Book Stipend Criteria

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1. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Nu Gamma Omega Chapter welcomes you to participate in the Velena Smith Johnson Book Stipend Scholarship. 

2. We bring you this opportunity through collaboration between Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Nu Gamma Omega Chapter and Nu Gamma Omega Educational and Charitable Foundation.

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Purpose

1. The purpose of the Velena Johnson Book Stipend Scholarship Award is to assist college students in completing their education.

2. Recognizing the ever-rising cost of higher education and the number of students from our communities in need of financial assistance, tuition, books; this scholarship seeks to make it a little easier for students to afford book expenses.

3. We know the need in our community is great and it is our continual hope this scholarship will continue to grow.

4. The Velena Johnson Book Stipend Scholarship Awards are available on a competitive basis to both undergraduate and graduate students.

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Eligibility

Due to the sources of funding for this award, there are two (2) sets of eligibility criteria.

1. Open to students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds

2. All applicants must be an undergraduate and/or graduate student at one of the five (5) HBCUs in Louisiana. (Dillard University, Grambling State University, Southern University BR, Southern University NOLA, and Xavier University)

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Undergraduate Applicants

1. Must have completed fifteen (15) credit hours of college work at the institution prior to submission of the application

2. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0

3. Must carry a minimum of 12 credit hours

4. Must be enrolled full-time at the college/university for the subsequent academic year

5. Must complete an application.

6. Must provide a current (Official) Transcript.

7. Must provide a letter of recommendation from school official and/or Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Member. 

8. Must provide evidence of community service, extracurricular activities that support academic interests and servant leadership to community stakeholders in one of the five demographic areas.

9. Must write a five hundred (500) word essay on a relevant topic of interest.

Graduate Applicants

1. First year graduate students must be enrolled in a minimum of nine (9) graduate credit hours

2. Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0

3. Must carry a minimum of nine (9) credit hours

4. Must be enrolled full-time at college/university for the subsequent academic year.

5. Must complete an application.

6. Must provide a current (Official) Transcript.

7. Must provide a letter of recommendation from school official and/or Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Member. 

8. Must provide evidence of community service, extracurricular activities that support academic interests and servant leadership to the community stakeholders in one of the five demographic areas.

9. Must write a five hundred (500) word essay on a relevant topic of interest.

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Award

1. Awards of $1,000.00 will be issued from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Nu Gamma Omega Chapter and Nu Gamma Omega Educational and Charitable Foundation.

2. Awards will be issued during the fall semester of the following academic year.

Previous Recipients

Due to the volume of applicants, any student who has been awarded the book stipend in the past may not apply again.

Personal Essay

Applicants will submit a personal essay on “The Significance of Serving Others.” Essay applicants will explain what serving others means and how the applicant applies this service in everyday life?

Written Essay requirements must include the following:

1. A minimum of five hundred (500) words, typed paper, double-spaced

2. Arial font 12pt

3. Essays must include the applicant’s first and last name, title on each page.

4. An essay title must be listed at the top of each page.

5. MS Word or PDF formats only.

Other Essay Topics

• Describe an event or person who has changed or significantly impacted your life. Explain the change or impact that the event or person has had on you and how it prepared you for college, choice of major, educational pursuits and/or career decisions.

• What social issues/challenges do you and your generation face today? How do you deal with, navigate these issues/challenges in the college/university setting?

• Write about a Black Civil Rights hero/shero who has made an impact on your life. In your essay, describe the specific ways this person's life and works shaped your life, your college, university choices and carrer path.

• Why do HBCUs matter today, the significance of an HBCU education. Profile  one or two HBCU attendees and their significant contributions to the development of the African American family, African American/Black business and/or community sustainability.

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Video

1. Applicants may submit a personal video on the “The Significance of Serving Others.” In the video, applicants will tell the Committee what serving others means and how the applicant applies this service in everyday life?

2. Video requirements must include the following:

3. The video must be a minimum of seven (7) minutes and up to a maximum of 10 minutes long.

4. The video will include a 1-minute introduction.

5. During the 1-minute introduction, the applicant must state first and last name, the high school they attended, the college or university they attend and their course of study in college or at the university.

6. Here are the following approved platforms to create the video: Canva, Adobe Express, Microsoft Photos (Windows 10), Microsoft ClipChamp (Windows 11), and unlisted YouTube.

All applications and supporting documentation must be emailed to: akangoantib@gmail.com and akangovsjscholarship@gmail.com no later than 11:59 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

Questions about the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Nu Gamma Omega Chapter

Velena Smith Johnson Book Stipend Scholarship, please contact akangovsjscholarship@gmail.com, akangoantib@gmail.com or call 225-367-4164.