Fannie Lou Hamer – W.E.B. DuBois Service Scholarship

The 2025 Application Cycle is now open.

Deadline January 6th, 2025

The Education Committee is charged with conducting FOBA business that is of an educational nature. Its star project is the annual Fannie Lou Hamer - W.E.B. DuBois scholarship contest. In 2025 two $1000 scholarship will be awarded. 

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant must be a full time, degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student enrolled at a Penn State campus at the time of application and in the subsequent Spring semester. Undergraduate applicants must have more than 24 accumulated accredited hours and a 3.0 GPA, graduate applicants must have more than 9 accumulated accredited hours and a 3.0 GPA to qualify

The application process consists of:

  • A complete the online application form

  • A written respond to one of the two essay prompts

  • A proposal that identifies a challenge in the African American community

  • A letter of recommendation from a faculty members and/or professional who can address the applicant’s level of scholarship, interpersonal skills, leadership ability, communication skills, and character. Letter of recommendation must be emailed to info@fobapsu.org by recommender by application deadline.

Essay Prompts:

  1. You are a student with an interesting life story. Describe how you have used your background, identity, interest, or talent to serve your community in the manner embodied by Fannie Lou Hamer and W.E.B. DuBois.

  2. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? How might your stated action represent the ideals of community building and racial or social justice that Fannie Lou Hamer and W.E.B. DuBois promoted?

Proposal

In the spirit of Fannie Lou Hamer and W.E.B. DuBois, identify a community problem (campus, local or global) that exists, and explain how you might solve this problem. Consider providing a plan of action, that might solve the problem directly. Or discuss how you might influence those you have the power to effect change. Include how your experience at Penn State influences your community involvement.

APPLICATION