Fairrilla Emory White Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
Introduction / About the Scholarship
The Fairrilla Emory White Scholarship honors the legacy of Fairrilla Emory White, a pioneering Black educator and charter member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Zeta Chapter. Mrs. White was born in Dallas on October 7, 1898. She was scheduled to be recognized as Dallas’ “oldest living teacher of record,” but she died two days before the award presentation. A 1916 graduate of Dallas’ Colored High School and a 1920 graduate of Bishop College (Marshall, TX), Mrs. White taught at Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA before returning to Dallas in 1922. Her Dallas teaching career included assignments in mathematics at Fred Douglass and Phyllis Wheatley elementary schools and, beginning in 1924, at Booker T. Washington High School.
Purpose
This scholarship is awarded to a female high school senior who has demonstrated strong academic achievement throughout high school.
Selection and Award
Recipients are chosen based on their submitted materials, letters of recommendation, and an interview. The selected scholar will be recognized in Spring 2026.
Eligibility
- Female high school senior.
- Intends to continue education after high school at a 2- or 4-year college or university.
- Lives in and attends school in Dallas County (some exceptions may apply — see the application for details).
- Does not plan to pledge or join another NPHC-affiliated sorority while receiving the scholarship.
Application window and deadline
The online application opens November 16, 2025 and closes January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Applications and required Google Drive folder submissions received after that deadline will not be considered.
How to apply — Google Drive folder requirements
You must complete the online application and provide a Google Drive link to a single folder that contains all required documents. Follow these steps exactly:
1. Create a main Google Drive folder named: First Last_25-26 KZ Scholarships (example: Jane Doe_25-26 KZ Scholarships).
2. Set the folder’s sharing settings so that “anyone with the link” can view.
3. Inside the main folder, create six subfolders with the exact titles below and upload the corresponding documents into each:
a. Official transcript (Unweighted GPA-4.0 scale) — Upload an official copy of your high school transcript showing rank and unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Ask your counselor for an unweighted transcript.
b. Community Service/Volunteer Hours — Upload one consolidated document listing all community service/volunteer activities with dates and the total hours calculated.
c. Student Extracurricular Activities — Upload one consolidated document that lists extracurricular activities, honors/awards, and dates.
d. 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.
e. Scholarship Essay (PDF Copy) — Upload a PDF file named to include the scholarship name (for example: Fairrilla E. White Essay). Essay prompt: In 500 words or less, explain how this scholarship will help you reach your goals and why you should be selected.
f. Headshot (JPEG or PNG) — Upload a digital head-and-shoulders photo in JPEG or PNG format.
4. Complete the online application. In the application’s final section, titled “Required Documentation for All scholarships,” paste the link to your main Google Drive folder. Confirm the link is set to “anyone with the link” may view.
Final submission deadline
Both the online application and the Google Drive folder link must be submitted by January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Late submissions will not be reviewed.
Questions
Refer to the application for details about eligibility exceptions and any other clarifications.