Intellectual Curiosity is the key to a rich life
Scholarship is something our chapter prides itself on. We believe the purpose of college is to get an education in order to lead a productive, valuable life, and that being a Phi Gam should help accomplish that goal.
Our chapter works to provide helpful study tools, teach good habits, and create an environment where college students can thrive. We’re proud that Fijis have beaten the all-KU men's GPA scores every year since 2015.*
Our Chapter's Scholarships
Several Fiji graduate brothers, families, and supporters have offered generous financial scholarships and incentives.
Funds contributed for chapter scholarships exceeded $1.25 million as of December 31, 2021, with more than two-thirds of that amount established as endowed funds. The scholarship chairmen will provide dates for application and clarify eligibility.
The Horejsi Scholarship Program
Amount: $5,000 each
Who’s eligible: The top five performers in the new-member pledge class, based on grades and community service.
Criteria: Grades will be computed from the combined results of the Fall and Spring classes and the awards will be paid to the University to help defray the cost of tuition.
About: The purpose of the Horejsi (pronounced Horsh) Scholarships, named for Stewart Horejsi and his son John, is to attract superior students with outstanding scholastic performance and leadership skills to our chapter. These awards will continue to be made to members of the class during the four years they are students at the University. The ultimate objective of these scholarships is to create a lasting culture of scholastic success for all members of Pi Deuteron that will lead to the personal success of the members after graduation. For the chapter, the Horejsi family hopes for the continuance of our reputation of being the best of the best among fraternities at the University of Kansas.
The Payne Family Scholarships
Amount: Various, up to $3,000
Who’s eligible: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors, living in the chapter house
Criteria: Scholarships are based on financial need. In previous years, anywhere from one to six scholarships have been awarded. Applicants must have no less than a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Acceptance of a scholarship award imposes an obligation to begin and complete full-time study in the semester following the semester in which the award is granted. Awards are to be applied to tuition.
About: The Payne Family Scholarships are awarded once a year in the Fall, at the start of the semester.
David E. Norris Scholarships
Amount: $400/each
Who’s eligible: One Outstanding Sophomore, Junior and Senior, as nominated by their classmates, with no more than 3 nominees per class.
Criteria: Recipients must…
• Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher for each of the last two semesters (Fall 2023 and Spring 2023) and carry at least 15 credit hours per semester.
• Attend 90 percent or more of Chapter Meetings held over the most recent two consecutive semesters.
• Be current on all financial obligations to the Chapter.
• Demonstrate involvement in at least one major Fraternity or Campus activity.
• Demonstrate leadership in the Chapter.
To be considered, each nominee must submit:
• A cover letter
• A résumé explaining in detail his qualifications
• The application must carry the signature of the Purple Legionnaire
• A copy of his official KU transcript, delivered to a third-party through the clearinghouse used by the KU Registrar’s Office to jbloom5080@gmail.com
• Deadline for applications February 2, 2024, via email to:
Jim Bloom, scholarship advisor, jbloom5080@gmail.com
About: The Norris Scholarships, gift of Brother David E. Norris, are awarded in the Spring at the Annual Scholarship Dinner.
Helen Moore Scholarship
Amount: $250 to Honor Initiate(s)
Who’s eligible: New-initiate freshman or sophomore
Criteria: Award goes to the New Initiate who earns the highest GPA in the previous Fall semester. To be considered, candidates must successfully complete a minimum of 12 credit hours. In the event of a tie, the Scholarship Committee, at its discretion, may use total grade points earned during the semester to break the tie.
To be considered, each candidate must submit a copy of his official KU transcript, delivered to a third-party through the clearinghouse used by the KU Registrar’s Office by February 2, 2024, via email to: Jim Bloom, scholarship advisor, jbloom5080@gmail.com
About: The Helen Moore Scholarships are awarded in the Spring at the Annual Scholarship Dinner to the top academic performance of the incoming initiates.
Lee Phillips Scholarships
Amount: $200/each
Who’s eligible: Top-GPA earners for each active class (sophomores, juniors and seniors), as well as Most Improved brother.
Criteria: Awarded to the Honor Sophomore, Junior and Senior, who earn the highest GPA of their class during the previous Fall semester. The Most Improved Brother is awarded to the initiated member (of any class) who raises their Fall GPA the most over the previous Spring semester.
All recipients must…
• Carry at least 15 credit hours during the Fall Semester.
• Attend 90 percent or more of Chapter Meetings held over the most recent two consecutive semesters.
• Be current on all financial obligations to the Chapter.
• Submit a copy of your official KU transcript, delivered to a third-party, through the clearinghouse used by the KU Registrar’s Office, by February 2, 2024, to: Jim Bloom, scholarship advisor, jbloom5080@gmail.com
About: The Lee Phillips Scholarships are awarded in the Spring.
June Ritchie Memorial Scholarships
Amount: Ranges from $50 - $300 per recipient
Who’s eligible: The top ten GPA earners in the chapter house for the previous semester
Criteria: Awarded during the Fall at the Norris Pig Dinner, the Ritchie Scholarships honor the top ten academic performers from the previous Spring semester, as measured by GPAs. All winners must live in the chapter house, carry at least 12 hours, and have no outstanding house bills.
About: Created in memory of long-time Pi Deuteron house mother June Ritchie, the Ritchie Scholarships have been awarded to the top ten house GPAs since the 1970s.
Robert and William Radcliffe Brotherhood Award
Amount: $250
Who’s eligible: One senior brother in good standing, as nominated by members of his class
Criteria: Recipients must…
• Carry a cumulative 3.0 GPA
• Attend 90 percent or more of Chapter Meetings held over the most recent two consecutive semesters.
• Be current on all financial obligations to the Chapter.
• Deadline for nominations is February 2, 2024.
• Each nominee must send a copy of his official KU transcript, delivered to a third-party through the clearinghouse used by the KU Registrar’s Office to: Jim Bloom, scholarship advisor, jbloom5080@gmail.com
About: Awarded at the Scholarship Dinner in the Spring to recognize the member of the Senior Class who displays the spirit of brotherhood exemplified by Bob Radcliffe and his son, Bill. Nominations are made by the Senior Class members. Nominees show a love of brotherhood, live out the principles of the fraternity, and inspire other Fijis to excellence.
David (Maurice) Morris Scholarship for Study Abroad
Amount: Varies, based on the year-end balance of the fund at the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation
Who’s eligible: Undergraduate members who are in good standing with the Chapter and who have gained acceptance into a University of Kansas Study Abroad program for a Fall Semester, Spring Semester, or Summer Session during their Sophomore, Junior, or Senior year.
Criteria: To apply, please submit:
• A cover letter outlining your Study Abroad program and career goals
• An updated résumé
• A copy of your official KU transcript, delivered to a third-party through the clearinghouse used by the KU Registrar’s Office to jbloom5080@gmail.com
Applicants must…
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Show steady academic progress toward graduation (15 credit hours per semester)
• Attend 90 percent or more of Chapter Meetings held over the most recent two consecutive semesters.
• Be current on all financial obligations to the Chapter.
Deadline for applications, including official transcripts, is February 2, 2024, via email to: Jim Bloom, scholarship advisor, jbloom5080@gmail.com
The Persistence Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Who’s eligible: Current initiated Sophomores and Juniors from any Phi Gamma Delta chapter
Criteria: Award recipients will be selected from the pool of applications based on financial need, GPA, and chapter, campus and community involvement.
About: Awarded by the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation to approximately 67 recipients nationally. This scholarship is focused on providing financial aid to members with demonstrable financial need.
The Gordon T. Speckman Journalism Scholarship
Amount: Up to $1,500
Who’s eligible: Current student newspaper columnists and journalists in any Phi Gamma Delta chapter
Criteria: Undergraduate Fijis who write by-lined general interest, sports, or editorial page columns that appear in the print or online editions of college newspapers. To enter, send clippings of three columns or articles published during eligible timeframes in your qualifying newspaper.
About: Gordon Speckman was a journalism and advertising major from Denison University, in 1947. This scholarship was designed to encourage writing skills and reporting within the membership of Phi Gamma Delta. This scholarship is awarded by the Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundation to three recipients annually.
Other Phi Gamma Delta Educational Foundations are available. Learn more.