2024 NSA Scholarship

2024 NSA Scholarship Foundation Program

Each year, thousands of students contact NSA seeking help to meet the ever-increasing costs of higher education. In response, the NSA Foundation provides financial backing from to promising accounting students across the country. The Foundation awards scholarships to undergraduates enrolled in a degree program at an accredited two- or four-year college or university. Applicants for awards are judged on the basis of scholastic achievement, demonstrated leadership ability, and financial need.

We encourage you to review our scholarship criteria below. If you are eligible, please apply.
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Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible for this award, you must:

  • be a United States resident.
    • Your permanent residence is established with at least two of following four factors: your home address for school registration; your family’s primary residence; place of registration to vote; or your state driver’s license or identification card.
  • be majoring in accounting, having maintained a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale).
  • be an undergraduate enrolled part- or full-time at an accredited (2) two-year or (4) four-year college or university in the United States.
    • Applicants from Arizona must carry a minimum of 9 credit hours.
    • Students in an accredited (2) two-year college may apply following their first semester grades or during their second year if transferring to a (4) four-year institution, provided they are committed to a major in accounting throughout the remainder of their college careers.
    • Students in an accredited (4) four-year college may apply for the scholarship for their second, third, or fourth year of studies, provided they are committed to a major in accounting throughout the remainder of their college careers.

Note: High school seniors and undergraduate students not yet enrolled in an undergraduate accounting program are NOT eligible to receive NSA Scholarship Foundation awards.

When is the application deadline?

April 30, 2024 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time Zone

What is the Program timeline?

  • Application Opens: January 15, 2024
  • Application Deadline: April 30, 2024
  • Scholarship Recipients Notified: June 7, 2024
  • Scholarship Checks Issued: August 15, 2024

What are the selection criteria?

An independent selection committee will evaluate the applications and select the recipients considering:

  • Academic achievements and records;
  • Leadership and community involvement;
  • Honors and awards;
  • Work experience;
  • Statement of goals and aspirations; and
  • Financial need (Arizona financial need scholarship only)

Decisions of the selection committees are final and are not subject to appeal. No application feedback will be given.

What are the details of the award?

  • Award amounts generally range from $500 to $2,000;
  • Awards are for undergraduate study only and are not renewable; however, students may reapply each year as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria;
  • The Stanley H. Stearman Award is renewable based on the criteria detailed below;
  • The scholarships will be applied to tuition, fees, books, supplies and equipment required for course load at accredited, nonprofit two- or four-year colleges/universities in the United States; and
  • Students may transfer from one institution to another and retain the award;

What are the details of the Stanley H. Stearman Award?

In addition to its annual awards program, the NSA Scholarship Foundation provides the Stanley H. Stearman Award, which was established to honor retired NSA Executive Vice President Stanley H. Stearman.

  • This award is granted annually to a relative*, who is majoring in accounting, of an NSA Active**/Retired (living/deceased) member;
  • This NSA member must have held membership for at least one year prior to January 1, 2024;
  • The recipient of this award will receive a stipend in the amount of $2,000 per year, not to exceed a three-year period;
  • This renewable award may extend through graduate studies;

*Relative:  includes spouse, son, daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew, or a son- or daughter-in-law of an Active/Retired living or deceased NSA member.

**Active Members: must be, or have been, individuals who work in the United States and/or its Territories who are dedicated to the purposes and activities of the NSA and have an active interest in the professional fields of taxation and accountancy, tax preparation and/or other accounting and financial services for the general public.

What are the details of the NSA Educational Tree Scholarship?

In addition to its annual awards program, the NSA offers the Educational Tree Scholarship, which was established in 1999 as a commitment to education.

  • The applicant must be a child or grandchild of a current NSA Active, Life, or Associate member.
    • A stepchild or step-grandchild will qualify.
    • An applicant can be a member of NSA to qualify himself/herself for the award.
  • This NSA member must have held membership for at least five consecutive years as of April 30, 2024.
  • The student must be full-time, majoring in accounting or business or enrolled in an accounting certificate program.
  • Two scholarship awards will be given annually:
    • One $1,000 scholarship to a student in at least the second year of an accredited four-year program, and;
    • One $500 scholarship to a student in the second year of an accredited two-year program.

Is this scholarship renewable? 

No, the general award is nonrenewable; however, the Stanley H. Stearman Award is renewable. Students may reapply each year for the other awards as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

What are the renewal details?

Each year, recipients of the Stanley H. Stearman Award will receive an email notification with instructions to complete the online renewal application. You will need to provide a transcript showing your cumulative GPA.  You must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and be continuing in an accounting major to be considered for renewal.

Which school should I list on the application if I have not made a final decision?

You should list your first choice on the application. If awarded a scholarship, you will be contacted for confirmation of your school prior to any check being issued for your benefit.

What is the difference between Official and Unofficial Transcripts?

Official transcripts must be obtained through your college registrar office. These transcripts are normally printed on official letterhead and/or state that they are official and may contain a signature.

Note: Your official transcript may come to you in a sealed envelope, stating it will become unofficial if opened. When scanning or copying your official transcripts, a watermark may appear noting they are now unofficial. Despite any watermarks or sealed envelopes, you may open the envelope if needed to upload the document. These documents will still be considered official for our purposes.  When scanning or copying, you do not need to include a copy of the sealed envelope.

Unofficial transcripts may be accessed through your school’s online student portal. These pages must still be converted to one of the acceptable file formats. Unofficial transcripts must contain your name and the school name and contact information.

What are my responsibilities if I am chosen as a recipient?

You must enroll as a full- or part-time student in the fall of the year in which the scholarships are awarded, continue the entire academic year without interruption unless approved by scholarship sponsor, deliver your scholarship check(s) to the proper office at your institution with its attached instructions, and notify the NSA Scholarship Foundation should your check not arrive within 30 days of the issue date.

How and when are checks issued?

Checks will be issued mid-August payable to the institution on your transcript or application and mailed to the school’s mailing address.

Are scholarships taxable?

In the United States, scholarship funds used exclusively for the payment of tuition, textbooks, or qualified education expenses are normally not taxable.

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