Scholarship Programs

Founders' Centennial Scholarship (Deadline February 1, 2024)

In honor of the five founding members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, the Centennial International President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated will award a  $125,000 scholarship each year to a new recipient, for five consecutive years beginning the sorority’s Centennial Anniversary year of 2020. The 2024 Founders' Centennial Scholarship will be named for Triumphant Founder Fannie Pettie Watts.

The 2023 scholarship award will be made to one deserving female high school senior to cover educational cost up to and not to exceed $125,000 total. The award is targeted to honor a female high school senior who exhibits personal integrity and excellence through academic achievement and community involvement, and the awardee must demonstrate a moderate to significant need for financial assistance in attaining her higher educational goals. The recipient may complete her undergraduate studies in the field of her choice at an accredited four-year college or university of her choice. 

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and the Zeta National Educational Foundation will conduct an international search to find and award the most worthy recipient.

Award Amount

$125,000 to cover the cost of tuition and related expenses.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a female senior high school senior who qualifies for free or reduced fare lunch based upon U.S. Federal guidelines. NOTE: Applicants do not have to receive free or reduced fare lunch, they simply need to meet the qualifications for it. 

• Must be graduating in May or June of the award year (2024) and enrolling as a full-time student at an accredited college or university in the fall of the same year.

• Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

• Must demonstrate a moderate to significant financial need.

• Must demonstrate a commitment to community service and involvement.

Affiliation with any members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated or any of its auxiliary organizations is not a requirement.

Accessing the Triumphant Founder Fannie Pettie Watts Centennial Scholarship Application

Demonstrated financial need is one of the key applicant assessment areas for the Triumphant Founder Fannie Pettie Watts Centennial Scholarship. Female high school seniors can indicate financial need and be matched with the Founders’ Centennial Scholarship application by selecting “Yes” when asked “Do you qualify for Free or Reduced lunch based upon the U.S. Federal guidelines?” in the Eligibility Quiz.

Zeta National Educational Foundation, Incorporated understands that some schools do not participate in the Federal School Lunch program. The Eligibility Quiz scholarship matching question specifies “qualify” for that reason. Female high school seniors do not have to receive free or reduced fare lunch at the time of application, but they should meet or be within the guidelines to qualify for the program. If you are a female high school senior and can demonstrate financial need by providing specific information requested in the Founders’ Scholarship application (for example, your FAFSA Estimated Family Contribution), you are encouraged to indicate that you qualify for Free or Reduced fare lunch and complete the scholarship application.

Register for portal access then take the Eligibility Quiz to see if you are a match for the Founders' Centennial Scholarship.

Questions? Contact support at admin@znef.org (Replies may take up to 72 hours)


GEICO HBCU High School Changemaker Scholarship 

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is proud to partner with GEICO to offer the GEICO HBCU High School Changemaker Scholarship. This scholarship will provide $2,500 in educational assistance to 2 female high school seniors who enroll as full-time students at a Historically Black College or University in the fall of the award year.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Available to female high school seniors who will matriculate as a full-time student at an HBCU in the United States of America in the fall of the award year
  • Available to students with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (or the equivalent in schools using different scoring methods) and exemplary leadership experience in school and/or community settings as documented by official transcripts, in letters of recommendation, and on the application
  • Available to students whose collegiate major will be: Business, Finance, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and/or Marketing

Award Amount: 

Note: The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents.

GEICO HBCU Undergraduate Changemaker Scholarship 

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated is proud to partner with GEICO to offer the GEICO HBCU Undergraduate Changemaker Scholarship to undergraduate financial members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. This scholarship will provide $5,000 in educational assistance to 4 undergraduate Zetas.

Available to financial undergraduate members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated who are currently enrolled as a full-time sophomore or junior at a Historically Black College or University in the United States of America, and will be designated, and attend (continue to attend), an HBCU as a full-time junior or senior in the fall of the award year.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Available to undergraduate Zetas that are active and financial within the Zeta Chapter on the HBCU campus they are enrolled in
  • Available to current full-time undergraduate HBCU Zetas, currently enrolled as a full-time sophomore or junior, with high academic achievement, high grade point average (3.0+), and exemplary leadership experience, in a school and/or community setting, as documented by official transcripts, in letters of recommendation (one of which must be from a financial sponsoring graduate chapter member), and on the application
  • Awardees must be designated as a full-time junior or senior in the fall of the award year and attend (continue to attend) an HBCU
  • Available to students majoring in: Business, Finance, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and/or Marketing

Award Amount: 

Note: The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents.


Z-NEF Scholarship Program (Deadline February 1, 2024)

Thank you for your interest in Zeta National Educational Foundation Scholarships. The ZNEF scholarship program is comprised of 15 individual scholarships. There are 4 scholarships offered only to members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and 11 offered to the general public. You are encouraged to select 3 of the 13 scholarships. Scholarship winners will be awarded $3,000 for each scholarship. 

The deadline for all ZNEF scholarships is February 1, 2024.

The Founders' Centennial, Life Members and Zeta Organizational Leadership scholarships are additional choices, separate from the 3 scholarships from the eligibility quiz that you may apply for if you meet the criteria. 

Z-NEF Scholarship Program - Open to the Public

Mildred Spicer West Scholarship (HBCU female students only) – High Honors/Leadership 

Dr. Barbara West Carpenter established a scholarship to support students enrolled in a Historically Black College University (HBCU) in honor of her mother and Zeta member, Mildred Spicer West. This scholarship is available to Black/African American females with an exceptionally high academic GPA (3.5+) and exemplary leadership experience (school and/or community setting) as documented by official transcripts and letters of recommendation. Scholarship recipients must attend and actively pursue an undergraduate degree in an accredited HBCU program. 

Each applicant is required to complete the application, write the required essays and submit a copy of an official transcript. This scholarship will be awarded for full-time study for the academic year (Fall-Spring). The award will be paid directly to the HBCU institution of the recipient's choice. 

Arizona Cleaver Stemons Scholarship – High School Seniors 

The Zeta National Educational Foundation is proud to offer a Scholarship in the name of the first international president and founder of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Arizona Cleaver Stemons. 

The Arizona Cleaver Stemons scholarship is available to eligible high school seniors only. Applying students must actively pursue an undergraduate degree at an accredited college or university. Each applicant is required to complete the application, write the required essays and submit a copy of an official transcript. This scholarship will be awarded for full-time study for the academic year (Fall-Spring). The award will be paid directly to the college or university of the recipient's choice. 

General Undergraduate

This ZNEF Scholarship is available to high school seniors who will matriculate as a full time student into an accredited undergraduate degree granting program in the fall of the award year, and/or college freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors that are continuing full-time study at an accredited college or university. The scholarship is awarded for full-time study for one academic year (Fall-Spring).

General Graduate

This ZNEF Scholarship is available to graduate students working on a professional degree, masters, doctoral or enrolled in post-doctoral study. It is also available to college (undergraduate) seniors who will matriculate into an accredited graduate degree granting program in the fall of the award year. This scholarship is awarded for full-time study for one academic year (Fall-Spring).

HBCU Scholarship

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents.

This scholarship is available to current full-time undergraduate or graduate HBCU students only, with an academic GPA of 3.0+ who demonstrate exemplary leadership experience (school and/or community setting) as documented by official transcripts, in letters of recommendation, and on the application. This scholarship is also available to high school seniors who will matriculate as a full time student into an accredited undergraduate degree granting program at an HBCU in the fall of the award year. The award is for full-time study for one academic year and is payable to the college or university.

STEM Scholarship

Many scholars and policymakers have noted that the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) have remained predominantly male with historically low participation among women since their origins.

The Zeta National Educational Foundation proudly offers a STEM scholarship available to current full-time undergraduate or graduate female STEM students that are pursuing a degree in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. This scholarship is also available to high school seniors who will matriculate as a full time student studying STEM into an accredited undergraduate degree granting program in the fall of the award year. 

Applicants must show exemplary leadership experience within their school and/or community setting. Grades and academic progress must be documented by official transcripts, in letters of recommendation, and on the application. This scholarship will be awarded for full-time study for the academic year and is payable to the college or university.

S. Evelyn Lewis Memorial Medical Health Science Scholarship

Dr. Sarah Evelyn Lewis, became a student in Howard University's Medical School in 1924. Sarah was the only female and graduated in 1927. Dr. Lewis completed her internship at Howard's Freedman's Hospital. Following her internship, Dr. Lewis found it difficult to find placement in a hospital due to the color of her skin. Dr. Lewis established her own practice in New Jersey. Dr. Lewis was an initiate of the Alpha chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, and was elected 5th Grand Basileus at the 1926 Boule.

The S. Evelyn Lewis Scholarship is available to graduate or undergraduate young women enrolled in a program leading to a degree in medicine or health sciences. This scholarship is also available to high school seniors who will matriculate as a full time student into an accredited undergraduate medicine or health science degree granting program in the fall of the award year. The scholarship is awarded for full-time study for one academic year (Fall-Spring) and is paid directly to the college or university. 

Isabel M. Herson ~Scholarship in Education

Isabel Morgan Herson, a lifelong educator, served as the sixteenth international president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and was instrumental in encouraging participation in the March of Dimes, Stork’s Nest and laid the groundwork for today’s Zeta National Educational Foundation. 

The Isabel M. Herson Scholarship is available to graduate or undergraduate level students enrolled in a degree program in either elementary or secondary education. The award is provided for full-time study for one academic year (Fall-Spring). 

Deborah Partridge Wolfe ~ International Fellowship

Dr. Deborah Cannon Partridge Wolfe was elected as the fourteenth international president in 1953 and served in that role until 1965. Dr. Wolfe worked as the education chief for the US House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor. Her efforts to strengthen the Zeta chapter in Monrovia, Liberia are recognized with the awarding of the Deborah Partridge Wolfe scholarship, often awarded to a student from Africa studying in the United States.

The Deborah Partridge Wolfe fellowship is available to graduate or undergraduate United States students studying abroad and/or an undergraduate non-American student studying within the United States. This fellowships is also available to high school seniors who will matriculate as a full time student into an accredited undergraduate degree granting program outside of the United States in the fall of the award year. This fellowship is awarded for full-time study for one academic year (Fall- Spring). 

The Zora Neale Hurston Scholarship-Graduates only

The Zora Neale Hurston Scholarship is available to graduate students pursuing a degree in anthropology or related fields. This scholarship is also available to college (undergraduate) seniors who will matriculate as a full-time student into an accredited graduate anthropology or related degree granting program in the fall of the award year. The award is for full-time study for one academic year (Fall-Spring).

Lullellia W. Harrison~ Counseling Scholarship

Named for Lullellia W. Harrison, the twelfth international president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, this Counseling Scholarship is offered to graduate or undergraduate level students enrolled in a degree program in counseling. The scholarship is awarded for full-time study for one academic year (Fall-Spring).

Questions? Contact support at admin@znef.org  (Replies may take up to 72 hours)


Z-NEF Scholarship Program - Zeta Only Scholarships

Life Members Scholarship Program-Undergraduates only

Zeta National Educational Foundation (ZNEF) is proud to offer the Life Members Scholarship to eight undergraduate women (one per region) of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, currently matriculating as a full-time student in an accredited four-year institution. The Life Members Scholarship is offered during the year of the Boule only. Each eligible applicant must be financial on all levels (National, Regional, State and Local) for the current year of award and actively pursuing a degree. Applicants must meet all criteria described in the application form. 

The eligible candidates must be full time students currently admitted and attending an accredited college or university. Candidates must be a financial member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, in good standing, and a member of an active collegiate chapter with a Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better (on a 4.0 scale).  

Each applicant will be required to submit a completely executed and signed scholarship application that includes a typed personal essay (2 page maximum), three letters of recommendation, including a letter of recommendation from a Life Member in good financial standing OR a financial member of the advising Graduate Chapter (if there are no Life Members in the chapter), and an official transcript — submitted via the portal by February 1, 2024, at 11:59 pm EST.

Nancy B. Woolridge McGee~ Graduate Fellowship

The Zeta National Educational Foundation is proud to offer a scholarship in the name of Thirteenth International President Nancy B. Woolridge McGee. Dr. McGhee served as a professor of English for Hampton Institute in Virginia and spent six months on assignment in Africa, all while serving as the International President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. 

This scholarship is available to eligible members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. who are financial on all levels (National, Regional, State and Local) for the current year of the award and actively pursuing a graduate or professional degree in an accredited college or university program.

Each applicant will be required to complete the application, write the required essays and submit a copy of the official transcript. All applicants must have demonstrated scholarly distinction or unusual ability in her chosen field. Applicants will be awarded for full-time study for the academic year (Fall-Spring). The scholarship will be paid to the college or university.

Mildred Cater Bradham~ Social Work Fellowship

Zeta National Educational Foundation is proud to offer a Scholarship in the name of the fifteenth international president, Mildred Cater Bradham. Ms. Bradham initiated the idea of a separate foundation to provide scholarships for young people pursuing higher education. 

This scholarship is available to eligible members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. who are financial on all levels (National, Regional, State and Local) for the current year of the award and actively pursuing a graduate or professional degree in social work in an accredited college or university program. Each applicant will be required to complete the application, write the required essays and submit a copy of an official transcript. All applicants must have demonstrated scholarly distinction or unusual ability in her chosen field. This scholarship will be awarded for full-time study for the academic year (Fall-Spring). The award will be paid directly to the college or university of the recipient's choice. 

Zeta Organizational Leadership (ZOL) Scholarship Program (not available for 2023-24)

Zeta National Educational Foundation (ZNEF) is proud to offer eight scholarships, one per region, for deserving undergraduate sorors that would like to become Zeta Organizational Leadership (ZOL) certified and advance their Zeta career. One undergraduate scholarship recipient per region will be selected and awarded the cost of undergraduate registration, payable to ZOL on the soror’s behalf. 

This scholarship is one way the Zeta National Educational Foundation will contribute towards the investment of our sorority’s future leaders. The ZOL scholarship is offered during years for ZOL certification courses.

Each applicant will be required to fill out the application, write a 2-page essay (up to 500 words) and submit an electronic PDF copy of her official transcript. Each regional recipient must be active, financial and in good academic standing with her school and with the sorority. Only sorors with a GPA of 2.5 and above will be able to apply. The application window will be open from September 1, 2024, and close February 1, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted. The awardees will be selected and announced by May 2025 in time to meet the final ZOL registration deadline.

General Eligibility:

Undergraduate women of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated who are currently matriculating full-time in an accredited four-year institution are eligible for this award. Each eligible applicant will be financial for the current year of the award and actively pursuing a degree.

Questions? Contact support at admin@znef.org (Replies may take up to 72 hours)