TSEA Scholarship Program

TSEA 2026 Scholarship Program

Supporting the educational pursuits of our members and their families

X Applications now closed

2026 Applications Are Now Closed

The application window for the 2026 TSEA Scholarship Program closed on March 31, 2026. The scholarship committee is currently reviewing all submitted applications. Award recipients will be announced over the summer. All applicants will receive notification regarding the status of their application.

Application Period: February 13 – March 31, 2026

Overview

The Tennessee State Employees Association is proud to offer a scholarship program designed to support the educational pursuits of our members and their families. This program aligns with our commitment to fostering the personal and professional development of our TSEA community.

Scholarship Awards

General Scholarships

General TSEA Scholarships

$1,000

30 awards available

For eligible TSEA members and their dependents

Special Awards

Debra K. Johnson Criminal Justice Memorial Scholarship

$1,500

For students majoring in Criminal Justice

Roderick Sharp State Trooper Memorial Scholarship

$1,500

For dependents of Tennessee State Troopers

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for our scholarships, applicants must be:

A high school senior, college freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior
AND meet one of the following:
- A dependent child of a regular or retired TSEA member
- A regular or retired TSEA member yourself
- A dependent child of a full-time TSEA employee
Have at least one year of membership or employment by the scholarship application deadline

Additional Eligibility for Special Awards

Debra K. Johnson Criminal Justice Memorial Scholarship:

Meet the general scholarship eligibility requirements
Be a student majoring in Criminal Justice

Roderick Sharp State Trooper Memorial Scholarship:

Meet the general scholarship eligibility requirements
Be a dependent of a Tennessee State Trooper

Note: TSEA membership of a parent is not solely required to be eligible for the Roderick Sharp Memorial Scholarship. If you are the dependent of a State Trooper, regardless of membership, please apply. However, TSEA member parents will have priority in the selection process.

Application Process

How to Apply

Applications must be completed and submitted online through our website during the application window, which has now closed for 2026. Please check back next February for our 2027 program.

Required Documents

Applicants may need to upload:

Proof of enrollment
Academic transcripts
A letter of recommendation
Specific documents related to the special awards (if applying for the Debra K. Johnson or Roderick Sharp scholarship)

Please check the application form for a detailed list of required documents when the next application window opens.

Application Confirmation

Upon submission, applicants received an auto-reply confirmation acknowledging receipt of their application.

Making Changes After Submission

The application deadline has now passed. If you have questions about a submitted application, please contact Linda Darden at [email protected].

Selection Process

Recipients are selected by a TSEA board-appointed scholarship panel comprised of TSEA leadership. This panel reviews applications based on criteria that align with the organization’s values and the specific requirements of each scholarship.

Notification

The application window for 2026 has closed. The scholarship committee is currently reviewing submitted applications, and award recipients will be announced over the summer. All applicants will receive notification regarding the status of their application.

Use of Scholarship Funds

Scholarship awards are intended to cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for course load at accredited, nonprofit two- or four-year colleges/universities in the United States.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I access the scholarship application?

The 2026 application window is now closed. Please check back next February for information about the 2027 TSEA Scholarship Program.

Who is eligible to apply for the TSEA scholarships?

Eligibility is open to high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and college seniors who are either dependent children of regular or retired TSEA members, TSEA members themselves, or dependent children of full-time TSEA employees with at least one year of membership or employment by the scholarship application deadline.

Are previous TSEA scholarship winners eligible to apply again?

No. Previous winners of TSEA scholarships are not eligible to apply for another award.

What documents do I need to upload with my application?

Required documents during the application period may include proof of enrollment, academic transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and any specific documents related to the special awards if applying for the Debra K. Johnson or Roderick Sharp scholarship.

Can I save my application and return to it later?

This applies only during the application period. The 2026 application window is now closed.

What if I can’t find the email to resume my saved application?

This applies only during the application period. The 2026 application window is now closed.

How will I know that my application has been received?

Applicants who submitted an application should have received an auto-reply confirmation acknowledging receipt.

What if I need to make changes to my application after submitting it?

The deadline has passed. If you have questions about a submitted application, please contact Linda Darden at [email protected].

How are the scholarship recipients chosen?

Recipients are selected by a TSEA board-appointed scholarship panel. This panel reviews applications based on set criteria that align with the organization’s values and the specific requirements of each scholarship.

When will the scholarship recipients be announced?

The 2026 application window has closed. Award recipients will be announced over the summer, and all applicants will receive notification regarding the status of their application.

How can I use the scholarship award?