Academic Excellence & Uplift

Scholarships

Investing in the next generation of leaders — one essay, one scholar, one future at a time.

Now Open • 2026–2027 Cycle

Applications Are Now Being Accepted

The Epsilon Kappa Kappa Chapter is accepting essays for the 2026–2027 scholarship cycle. At least four (4) scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors in Madison, Hinds, and Rankin counties. All essays must be emailed and time-stamped no later than 11:59 PM on Friday, October 31, 2026. Submissions will not be accepted after this date.

How to Apply → ⇩ Download Cover Page Template (.docx)

This Year's Official Topic

“How can Young People use Leadership, Service, and Innovation to create Positive Change in their Communities?”

⚠ Do not change or shorten the title. Essays with altered titles may be disqualified.

Our Commitment

A Cardinal Principle of the Fraternity

The Founders of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated recognized the importance of the intellect in all matters pertaining to the advancement of humankind. They made Scholarship one of the Fraternity's four Cardinal Principles, alongside Manhood, Perseverance, and Uplift.

At the Epsilon Kappa Kappa (EKK) Chapter, scholarship is more than a principle — it is a promise. Each year we invest in college-bound high school seniors across the Canton-Madison County area through competitive scholarships, mentorship, ACT preparation, and access to the Fraternity's International High School Essay Contest.

Every member, chapter and district of the Fraternity is dedicated to scholarship. It is an integral and deep-rooted component of this organization — and a responsibility we carry with pride.

— Bro Frank Branch

Opportunities

Scholarship Programs

EKK supports two complementary scholarship pathways for college-bound seniors: our chapter-level EKK Essay Scholarship, awarded to students in our local service area, and the Fraternity's International High School Essay Contest, a national competition we are proud to sponsor at the chapter level.

Flagship • Local

EKK Essay Scholarship

Awarded annually by the Epsilon Kappa Kappa Chapter

The Epsilon Kappa Kappa Chapter has long been a proponent of academic excellence, and each year recognizes outstanding metro-area high school seniors through the annual EKK Essay Scholarship. Four (4) scholarships are awarded to college-bound seniors whose essays demonstrate original thought, intellectual rigor, and a clear sense of purpose.

1st — $1,000 2nd — $500 3rd — $300 4th — $200
4+
Awards This Cycle
HS Seniors
Eligibility
Oct 31
Deadline, 11:59 PM
  • Open to high school seniors in Madison, Hinds, and Rankin counties
  • 700–750 word original essay on this year's official topic
  • Required cover page — download the template
  • Typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12, Microsoft Word format
  • Original work — not previously published, copyrighted, or AI-generated
  • Awards presented April 2027 at the chapter Award Program

Now accepting essays through 11:59 PM, Friday, October 31, 2026.

How to Apply Contact Committee
National • International

Omega Psi Phi International High School Essay Contest

Sponsored by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

The Fraternity's flagship national essay competition invites college-bound high school seniors to engage with the most pressing questions of our era. Essays are submitted through a local chapter — which is where EKK comes in.

1st — $5,000 2nd — $3,000 3rd — $2,000 4th — $1,000
  • Four awards totaling $11,000 each contest cycle
  • Open to all college-bound high school seniors nationwide
  • Original 700–750 word essay on the official annual topic
  • Submitted to the national Fraternity through your local chapter
  • Deadline October 31 each year — no exceptions

You enter through EKK. Submit one essay to the chapter by Friday, October 31, 2026 — our top essay advances automatically.

See the Path National HQ

At a Glance

Eligibility & Requirements

The EKK Essay Scholarship is open to college-bound high school seniors residing in our service area. Applicants whose essays meet all requirements may also be forwarded to represent EKK in the Fraternity's International High School Essay Contest.

🎓

Who Can Apply

  • College-bound high school senior
  • Attending high school in Madison, Hinds, or Rankin County, Mississippi
  • Intending to enroll full-time in a degree-seeking program
📝

Essay Specifications

  • 700–750 words, original work
  • Double-spaced, Times New Roman 12
  • Microsoft Word format
  • Cover page in the exact required format
🛡️

Integrity Standards

  • Must be the applicant's original work
  • Not previously published
  • Not secured by copyright
  • AI assistance is strictly prohibited — essays are screened, and anything above a 40% AI threshold is disqualified
📅

Key Deadline

Essays must be emailed and time-stamped no later than 11:59 PM on Friday, October 31, 2026. Submissions will not be accepted after this date. No exceptions.

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Awards & Recognition

  • 1st $1,000 · 2nd $500 · 3rd $300 · 4th $200
  • Presented April 2027 at the chapter Award Program
  • Every EKK participant and their parents are recognized
  • Location, date and time announced by March 2027

Application Process

How to Apply

The application process is simple, but requirements are strict. Follow each step carefully — incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

1

Download the Cover Page

Start with the official template — it already contains the exact title and every required field, pre-formatted. Download the .docx ⇩

2

Complete the Cover Page

Fill in your name, home address, city/state/ZIP, high school name and address, student email, and phone number. Do not change or shorten the essay title.

3

Write Your Essay

Compose an original 700–750 word response to this year's topic — typed, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12, in Microsoft Word. AI assistance is prohibited and is screened for.

4

Email Your Submission

Send the Microsoft Word file to the Scholarship Committee Chair at fbranch3815@gmail.com — time-stamped by 11:59 PM, Friday, October 31, 2026.

5

Recognition in April 2027

All EKK participants and their parents are recognized at the chapter Award Program, where the top four winners receive their scholarships. Details announced by March 2027.

How You're Judged

Scoring Rubric

Essays are graded on a 100-point scale. Knowing where the points live is the single best way to strengthen a submission — more than half the score rides on developing your argument and keeping it readable.

Development of Topic / Thesis

30 PTS

Topic well developed — covers and develops major points with enough information for understanding

Readability

25 PTS

Concise prose that sticks to the point and does not ramble; holds the reader's attention

Progression

20 PTS

Composition progresses from beginning to end in a logical flow of information

Grammar

15 PTS

Subject–verb agreement, proper tense, correct sentence construction, paragraphing and transitions

Spelling

5 PTS

Correct spelling throughout

Punctuation

5 PTS

Correct punctuation throughout

Maximum Rating: 100 Points

One Essay, Four Levels

How Far Your Essay Can Go

You submit one essay to EKK — and it can keep climbing. Our top essay is forwarded to the State of Mississippi committee; the state winner advances to the 7th District; the district winner competes for the Fraternity's International Scholarships.

1

EKK Chapter

Canton, MS

  • 1st — $1,000
  • 2nd — $500
  • 3rd — $300
  • 4th — $200
2

State of Mississippi

Top EKK essay advances

  • 1st — $1,000
  • 2nd — $500
  • 3rd — $250
3

7th District

State winner advances

  • 1st — $2,500
  • 2nd — $1,500
  • 3rd — $1,000
4

International

District winner competes

  • 1st — $5,000
  • 2nd — $3,000
  • 3rd — $2,000
  • 4th — $1,000

International scholarships are announced on or about July 1, 2027, and the judges' decision is final. Winners may be required to furnish written proof of high school enrollment at the time of submission. Awards are released upon written verification of actual enrollment (not merely acceptance) at an institution of higher education, and must be claimed within 18 months of the announcement date. Submitting a manuscript grants Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. the right to keep it and to exercise full publishing rights.

Questions? Reach Out.

Scholarship Committee

FB

Major (Ret.) Frank J. Branch

Chairman • ACT Prep, Essay Contest & Scholarship Committee · Uplift, Inc.

A decorated Omega man and National & State Life Member, Brother Branch leads EKK's scholarship efforts and serves as the primary point of contact for applicants, families, and guidance counselors.

✉ fbranch3815@gmail.com 💬 Contact EKK

Ready to Apply or Learn More?

Whether you're a graduating senior, a parent, a counselor, or a brother looking to support our scholars, we'd love to hear from you. Reach out today to request application materials or make a contribution.

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