Juanita Buchanan Undergraduate Academic Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
Overview
The Juanita Buchanan Undergraduate Academic Scholarship honors the memory of a dedicated member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Kappa Zeta Chapter, who devoted her time to numerous organizations and community service. The Kappa Zeta chapter established this scholarship to recognize and support college-bound students in her honor.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be either:
- A high school senior who is earning dual college credit (minimum of 6 credit hours), or
- An undergraduate student enrolled at an accredited 2‑ or 4‑year college or university located within Dallas County.
- High school applicants must live in and attend school in Dallas County (some exceptions may apply — see the application for details). College applicants must attend a Dallas County institution.
- Applicants must submit transcripts showing a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.85 on a 4.0 scale.
- Demonstrated involvement in community service and/or organized campus activities is required.
Selection and Award
The recipient will be chosen based on submitted materials, letters of recommendation, and an interview. The honoree will be recognized in Spring 2026.
Application window and deadline
Applications open November 16, 2025 and close January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Materials submitted after the deadline will not be considered. A student checklist and full scholarship information are available on the application page.
Required submission steps (summary)
1. Create a Google Drive folder and name it: First Last_25-26 KZ Scholarships (example: Jane Doe_25-26 KZ Scholarships).
2. Set the folder’s sharing permissions so “anyone with the link” can view.
3. Inside that main folder, create six subfolders and place the specified documents in each (details below).
4. Complete the online application.
5. Paste the Google Drive folder link into the application section titled “Required Documentation for All scholarships.” Confirm the link is viewable by anyone with the link.
6. Ensure both the online application and the Google Drive submission are finished by January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Google Drive folder structure and required files
Create these six subfolders inside your main folder and add the indicated documents:
1) Official Transcript (Unweighted GPA — 4.0 scale)
- High school applicants: upload an official copy of your high school transcript showing rank and unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Request an unweighted transcript from your counselor.
- Applicants for the Juanita Buchanan Undergraduate Scholarship (college applicants): also include an unweighted college transcript (4.0 scale) showing cumulative GPA.
2) Community Service / Volunteer Hours
- Upload a single consolidated document listing all service activities, dates, and total hours.
3) Student Extracurricular Activities
- Upload one consolidated document listing extracurriculars, leadership roles, awards, and dates of involvement.
4) Recommendation Letters
- Upload two letters of recommendation from any of the following: high school teacher, administrator, or counselor; community leader; minister/church leader; or a supervisor from work or a community service project.
5) Scholarship Essay (PDF)
- Upload a PDF named to include the scholarship title (example: Juanita Buchanan Essay).
- Essay prompt: In 500 words or fewer, explain how, given your intended profession, you plan to impact the world.
6) Headshot (JPEG or PNG)
- Upload a digital headshot in JPEG or PNG format.
Notes
- Make sure your Google Drive link is entered into the “Required Documentation for All scholarships” field of the online application and that it is accessible to anyone with the link.
- Deadline: January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM — both the application and Google Drive submission must be complete by that time. Late entries will not be considered.
If you need the student checklist or more information about all available scholarships, refer to the application page where downloads and additional details are provided.