Service Fellowship Info & FAQs

About the 2025 Service Fellowship

Alpha Lambda Delta awards five $2,000 fellowships to outstanding members to support their service experience. Candidates will be considered on the basis of merit.

Eligibility

Any inducted member of Alpha Lambda Delta who has maintained a 3.3 cumulative grade point average upon graduation or at the time of application is eligible. Selection will be based on academic records, references submitted, essay questions, and campus and community activities. Applicants may be undergraduates taking a term of study off, recent graduates taking a gap year prior to graduate school, or between jobs and looking for a meaningful service experience. Please note, you may only receive an Alpha Lambda Delta Service Fellowship once.

Fellowship Stipulations

• Acceptance of the fellowship obliges the recipient to begin and complete the term of service outlined in the application. Any request by a recipient for an exception to the previously stated must be directed to ALD Headquarters.

• Fellowships cannot be deferred; applicants who are not serving during the time specified would need to decline the fellowship and reapply.

Responsibilities of the Recipient

• Notify ALD Headquarters promptly of the acceptance of the fellowship.

• Upon registration, send your participation verification to ALD Headquarters. Fellowship funds will be sent directly to the recipient so you will need to be aware of and accept any tax implications.

FAQs

Q: What if I don’t know the exact details of my service program before the application deadline?
A: Submit as much information as you can. As you receive more information, please forward the details to ALD Headquarters at scholarships@nationalald.org. 

Q: Does my service experience need to involve academic credit?
A: You are not required to earn academic credit as part of the program, but you can if that happens to be included.

Q: Am I eligible to apply for a Service Fellowship if my program is shorter than a year?
A: Service opportunities can be anywhere from six months to a full year.

Q: Am I eligible to apply for a fellowship if I am an international student?
A: Yes, ALD fellowships can be awarded to international students.

Q: My chapter is not very active, but I want to apply for a Service Fellowship. Does my application need to go through the advisor or can I just send it directly to the ALD Headquarters?
A: All applications are submitted online through ALD, and do not need chapter advisor approval. You are a lifetime member so you can apply for a Service Fellowship at any time, no matter the status of your undergraduate chapter. 

Q:  If I am awarded a fellowship but then my plans change and I want to pursue a different opportunity, can I use the funds for another experience, either in the same year or the following year?
A:  The award must be used for the stated purpose you articulated in your application. If you are unable to participate, the fellowship will go to an alternate and you may apply again the following year. If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a change in program due to reasons beyond your control, the selection committee will be consulted for an exception.

Q: Can official transcripts for the application be delivered via email directly from the university?
A: No, they must be uploaded online as part of the application.

Q: What can the fellowship funds be used for?
A: The funds are to defray any expenses. This can include any costs and fees for service participation, travel expenses, room and board, etc. Note that funds are issued directly to recipients and there may be tax implications. More information here and here.