Attention female sophomores: you may be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship care of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority, no strings attached.
The scholarship, which is open to all "sophomore female leaders" regardless of Greek affiliation, hopes to reward one sophomore who has made a significant "contribution to the campus or local community," according to a letter accompanying the application.
"One of our core values is lifelong learning" said College senior and chapter President Joanna Perez, "and at a school like Penn where everyone is academically oriented . we were looking to exemplify that."
While scholarships are prevalent throughout the Greek community, either through local chapters or national headquarters, Phi Sigma Sigma is the first on Penn's campus to extend the offer to the entire community, according to Stacy Kraus, Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs associate director for programming.
Perez said the money for the scholarship came from a number of the chapter's alumni. One woman, who graduated before the high rises were built in the late 1960s, was especially generous, Perez said.
The sorority sisters raised money over the summer but will continue fundraising efforts in order to offer the scholarship in coming years.
One of the sorority's members got the idea to fund a scholarship at a leadership conference, Perez said.
Students in the sorority were already successfully pursuing many opportunities to win scholarships, so the sisters saw this as a good way to give back to their community. Plans have been under way ever since.
The scholarship targets sophomore women because the sorority "wanted to be able to offer [it] to someone who was still early in their Penn career . but someone who already had a chance to establish themselves on campus," Perez said.
The sorority hasn't received any applications in the week since the application went out, Perez said, but the Facebook group promoting the scholarship had 56 members as of Thursday night.
Those who had heard of the scholarship praised it.
"I'm really proud of them and it's definitely showing a side of Greek life that doesn't come out all the time," said Panhellenic Council President and College senior Drew Tye, adding "It's wonderful to get their name out there with something that is so wonderful and generous."
Phi Sigma Sigma has been working to increase the sorority's membership, but Perez said she could not comment on whether the introduction of the scholarship was related to efforts to recruit more women.
"I don't know if [the scholarship] is part of their recruitment" Tye said. "But if it is I commend them for it. It's only a positive thing."
College sophomore Raleigh Davis agreed. "It seems as though they are trying to increase their popularity on campus," she said, but, "It's still a good idea for those who need a bit of cash."
Davis has no plans to apply but may recommend others whom she sees as campus leaders.
Interested sophomore women should complete the application by Oct. 3. All are encouraged to apply.
