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
- Twenty-one (21) scholarships of $750 each.
Special Awards
- Debra K. Johnson Criminal Justice Memorial Scholarship: A $1000 scholarship for a student majoring in Criminal Justice.
- Roderick Sharp State Trooper Memorial Scholarship: A $1000 scholarship for a dependent of a Tennessee State Trooper.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for our scholarships, applicants must be:
- A high school senior or a college freshman, sophomore, or junior.
- Either a dependent child of a regular or retired TSEA member, a regular or retired TSEA member yourself, or a dependent child of a full-time TSEA employee, with 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 Rod 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
Key Dates
The scholarship application window typically opens around Valentine’s Day in February and closes at the end of March. Please monitor your email and this page for updates on our application window.
How to Apply
- Applications must be completed and submitted online through our website during the application window.
- No paper applications will be accepted.
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.
Application Confirmation
Upon submission, applicants will receive an auto-reply confirmation acknowledging receipt of their application.
Application Changes
If changes are needed after submission, please email the specified changes before the deadline to Linda Darden at [email protected]. Changes after the deadline will not be accepted.
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 and Use of Scholarship
The timeline for announcing scholarship recipients will be communicated after the application period closes. All applicants will receive notification regarding the status of their application.
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.
FAQs
How do I access the scholarship application?
A: There will be a link on the TSEA website dedicated to the scholarship application during the application window. We will also share that link via email.
Who is eligible to apply for the TSEA scholarships?
A: Eligibility is open to high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors 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. More details, including specifics for our special awards, are included above under eligibility criteria.
Are previous TSEA scholarship winners eligible to apply again?
A: No. Previous winners of TSEA scholarships are not eligible to apply for another award.
What documents do I need to upload with my application?
A: You may need to upload proof of enrollment, academic transcripts, a letter of recommendation, and any specific documents related to the special awards if you are applying for the Debra K. Johnson or Roderick Sharp scholarship. Please check the application form for a detailed list of required documents.
Can I save my application and return to it later?
A: Yes, you can save your progress and return to complete your application later. You will receive a link via email when you save your application. However, please note that you must return to your application within 30 days of saving; otherwise, you will need to start over.
What if I can’t find the email to resume my saved application?
A: Check your spam or junk folder if you don’t see the email in your inbox. Sometimes, email from us might be filtered there. If found, move it to your inbox to continue your application. To avoid this in the future, add our email to your contacts or safe sender list.
How will I know that my application has been received?
A: Upon submission, you will receive an auto-reply confirmation acknowledging receipt of your application.
What if I need to make changes to my application after submitting it?
A: If you need to make any changes to your application, you can do so by emailing the specified changes before the deadline to Linda Darden at [email protected]. Please ensure that you provide clear details about the changes to be made. Changes after the deadline will not be accepted.
How are the scholarship recipients chosen?
A: Recipients are selected by a TSEA board-appointed scholarship panel comprised of TSEA leadership. 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?
A: The timeline for announcing scholarship recipients will be communicated after the application period closes. All applicants will receive notification regarding the status of their application.
How can I use the scholarship award?
A: 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.
For further questions, please contact the TSEA office at 615-256-4533.
