2026 STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION INFORMATION and INSTRUCTIONS

The Tennessee Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (TAHRA) Scholarship Program offers funds to outstanding students who reside in a public housing authority program (including Section 8 programs) based on academic merit, special talents, or accomplishments. Scholarship awards are made without regard to race, creed, religious preferences, or gender. The TAHRA scholarship program is carried out in cooperation with the SERC-NAHRO scholarship program.

Factors which are considered in the evaluation of scholarship applications include personal statement, leadership experience, class rank, test scores, grades, extracurricular activities, work experience, awards and recognition and community service.

The scholarship award is $1,700 per academic year for full-time students and is payable in two installments of $850 per semester. Renewal and second-semester payment are contingent upon continued full-time enrollment and maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

ELIGIBILITY:

• • Resident of a public housing authority or other HUD assisted housing for a minimum of twelve months prior to January 1, 2026.
• • High school graduate, GED graduate or expect to graduate by June 2026.
• • Any applicant entering college may apply regardless of age.
• • Must have a 2.5 or better GPA on 4.0 scale.
• • Housing authority must be member in good standing with TAHRA.
• • The recipient must be planning to enroll full-time in an accredited college as a first-time freshman in 2026 fall semester. This includes any accredited university, college, community college, vocational, technical, or business school.
• • All applications must be submitted online or mailed postmarked by April 1, 2026.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• • Completed scholarship application, signed and dated.
• • An official (stamped or signed) high school transcript or GED which includes all high school grades through the first semester of the senior year.
• • Copy of ACT or SAT scores (if not on high school transcript)
• • One personal essay (typed, double-spaced, one page, 250 words or fewer) to include information about yourself, interests, academic and social  achievements, and a statement of your educational expectations for your future.
• • One signed letter of recommendation from a Teacher/Guidance Counselor or school Official and must be on official letterhead.
• • Executive Director Certification and Checklist Form
• • Color photo of self, which will be used in TAHRA publications if awarded scholarship. (No watermark)

Student Scholarship Online Application

Student Scholarship Mail-in Application

2026 ADULT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION INFORMATION and INSTRUCTIONS

The Tennessee Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities (TAHRA) Scholarship Program offers funds to outstanding adults who reside in a public housing authority program (including Section 8 and Multi-family programs). Adult applications are judged primarily on recommendations, resume and personal statement. Scholarship awards are made without regard to race, creed, religious preferences, or gender. The TAHRA scholarship program is carried out in cooperation with the SERC-NAHRO scholarship program.

The scholarship award is $1,700 per academic year for full-time students and is payable in two installments of $850 per semester. Renewal and second-semester payment are contingent upon continued full-time enrollment and maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

ELIGIBILITY:

• • Resident of a public housing authority or other HUD assisted housing for a minimum of twelve months prior to January 1, 2026.
• • High school graduate or GED graduate.
• • Housing authority must be member in good standing with TAHRA.
• • The recipient must be planning to enroll full-time in an accredited college in 2026 fall semester. This includes any accredited university, college, community college, vocational, technical, or business school.
• • All applications must be submitted online by April 1, 2026. Applications submitted by mail will not be accepted.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

• • Completed scholarship application, signed and dated.
• • Current resume outlining the applicant's education and work history.
• • One personal essay (typed, double-spaced, one page, 250 words or fewer) that tells us about you, including your interests, academic and social achievements, and your educational goals for the future.
• • One signed letter of recommendation from a professional or personal reference, provided on official letterhead.
• • Executive Director Certification and Checklist Form.
• • Color photo of self, which will be used in TAHRA publications if awarded scholarship. (No watermark)

Adult Scholarship Online Application

Adult Scholarship Mail-in Application

NAHRO Merit College Scholarship/NAHRO-LDG Scholars Program - Deadline - Contact Regional Representative

• Three (3) $12,000 scholarships over four years to assist with tuition and fees which will also include:
• $3,000 a year for up to three years, as a summer internship stipend
• Networking opportunities with business and community leaders

PHADA Scholarship Programs - Deadline - January Annually

Three scholarships will be awarded:

Stephen J. Bollinger Memorial Scholarship ($7,000) will be awarded at the PHADA Annual Convention and Exhibition. The winner will also receive a trip for him/herself and one parent/guardian to attend the convention.

Freedom & Civil Rights Scholarship ($5,000) - Students must submit a personal essay (350-500 words) demonstrating their efforts and achievements in furthering the values of the civil rights movement. Explain why the cause is still relevant in communities today and how they relate to your educational goals. Include any relevant volunteer experiences and community involvement activities relating to advancing the cause of civil rights.

Nan McKay Pathway to Achievement Scholarship ($5,000) - The scholarships will be awarded by the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA) which is an organization of 1900 housing authorities across the United States. PHADA also serves as an advocate before the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on a variety of regulations governing public housing nationwide.