Scholarship Deferral Form

This form is required in order for you to defer your O∆K Scholarship. If you have not been accepted or will not be attending graduate/professional school before January 1, 2026, complete this form. If you anticipate starting your graduate/professional studies before January 1, 2026, you should complete the Scholarship Acceptance Form.

There are three (3) sections: 

1. Thank you letters to references and O∆K donors; and,
2. Photo release and professional style photograph.
3. Personal biography (200 words)

Please read through the entire form and gather the necessary information before you begin the submission process. All information is required, so you will not be able to submit the form if you have not completed a section. Until all information is received in full, Omicron Delta Kappa will not release the scholarship funds.

All materials must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EST, July 15, 2025.

If you have any questions about this process, contact Michelle Dilk, [email protected], (540) 458-5346.

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First Name *

Middle Name or Initial

Last (Family) Name *

Gender Pronouns

O∆K seeks to be sensitive to gender neutral/gender inclusive pronouns. Please include your preferred pronouns for publications (ie. he/him/his, she/her/hers, they/them/theirs, xe/xem/xyrs).

Circle of Initiation *

Email *

Anticipated Start Date *

If your anticipated start date is after January 1, 2026, please complete the next section.

Scholarship Deferral *

I have indicated that my anticipated start date for my graduate/professional education will be after January 1, 2026. Do you wish to defer your scholarship (recipients may defer the scholarship up to three years)? Please indicate yes or no. If you are not deferring your scholarship, please complete the Scholarship Acceptance Form or contact Michelle Dilk ([email protected]) at the O∆K national headquarters immediately to determine next steps. Please complete the rest of this form accordingly.

Yes

No

Thank You Letters

Please use the fields below to upload PDF or word versions of letters.

Thank You Letters to References *

O∆K encourages scholarship recipients to thank those individuals who provided reference letters. Please indicate if you have sent thank you notes to your recommenders.

Letters Complete

Letters In Process

Thank You Letter to O∆K Donors *

O∆K Donors appreciate hearing from scholarship recipients. Please write a letter that we can send to donors. The best letters of gratitude should include a sentence about where you were initiated into O∆K, some information about your involvement with O∆K, and your plans for graduate school.

Photo Release

By submitting this Scholarship Information Form, I authorize Omicron Delta Kappa, its assigns, and transferees to use photographs or images provided by me in connection with the O∆K Scholarship program. I authorize Omicron Delta Kappa, its assigns and transferees to copyright, use, and publish the same in print and/or electronically. I agree that Omicron Delta Kappa may use such photographs of me with or without my name and for any lawful purpose, including for example such purposes as publicity, illustration, advertising, and web content.

Professional Style Photo *

Please upload a professional style head shot of yourself for use in O∆K publications. This photo does not have to be professionally taken but should be suitable for O∆K publications and press releases. We request high resolution photos (300 dpi minimum).

Personal Biographical Statement *

In 200 words or less, please describe yourself and your academic goals. O∆K uses these mini-biographies in our publications and on our website as part of our efforts to demonstrate the quality of our scholarship recipients. An example is: Nana-Hawwa Abdul-Rahman graduated summa cum laude from the University at Albany (UAlbany) in May 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry with honors and a minor in biology. While at UAlbany, she participated in undergraduate research, developing techniques to help law enforcement and healthcare professionals quickly identify unscheduled psychoactive plant substances. Nana-Hawwa served as a STEM tutor, vice president of the UAlbany Circle, vice president and treasurer of the Muslim student association, a student member on the UAlbany Office of Diversity and Inclusion Conversations for Change Committee, and a member on the Student Association Strategic Planning Committee. In recognition of her extensive activism, academic excellence, and exemplary leadership, Nana-Hawwa was awarded the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. She also received the President’s Award for Leadership – Outstanding Senior Award. Nana-Hawwa is passionate about medicine and research. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in biomedical science at the University of Pittsburgh and plans to attend medical school with the goal of becoming a physician-scientist. For additional examples of mini-bios, click here: https://odk.org/announcing-2020-scholarship-recipients/.

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