2026 Student Collegiate Scholarship
Description
Leaders Education Foundation will award scholarships of various amounts to students attending an accredited college or university of their choice.
The scholarship offerings will be awarded based on financial need, community service, or academic achievement. All scholarships awarded are given on a one-time basis.
Financial Wellness Video Scholarship (2): Two scholarships are available for students who provide a video submission providing tips or suggestions on “How to be Financially Fit.” Students must submit a video link with their application. Submissions will be posted on Leaders Education Foundation’s Facebook page (@leadersgives) and the number of likes and shares gained by each submission will be factored into the scholarship scorecard. The number of likes and shares does not directly determine the winner. First place- $2,500, runner up- $2,000.
Leaders Credit Union- Martha Britt Scholarship (2): These two scholarships will be awarded based on the applicant’s financial needs. As a Founding Corporate Charter Sponsor of Leaders Education Foundation, the scholarships are awarded on behalf of Leaders Credit Union which requested the scholarships be given in honor and memory of Martha Britt, a West Tenn. champion for education and educator in the Jackson-Madison County School System for over 30 years. First place- $2,500, runner up- $2,000
Community Service Scholarship (1) - $1,000: This scholarship will be awarded based on the applicant’s community service.
Academic Achievement Scholarship (1) - $1,000: This scholarship will be awarded based on the applicant’s academic achievement.
Jackson-Madison County Schools Founders Scholarship (1) - $1,000: These two scholarships honor Leaders Credit Union’s founding membership group, Jackson-Madison County Schools. This scholarship is designated for seniors graduating from a high school within the Jackson-Madison County School System.
Community Scholarships (13) - $1,000 each: scholarships are designated for at least one student from Obion County, TN (1); Gibson County, TN (1); Dyer County, TN (1); Shelby County, TN (1); and nine (9) additional scholarships for students from all counties in West Tennessee including Madison County, TN.
Additional scholarships may be awarded to applicants based on academic achievement, financial need or community involvement.
2026 Timeline
February 2, 2026: Applications Open
March 6, 2026: Application Deadline
March 16-20, 2026: Social Media Voting (Video Scholarship Only)
March 23 - March 27, 2026: Scholarship Committee Review
Beginning of April 2026: Scholarship Winners Announced
April 28, 2026: Awards Presented at Leaders Education Foundation’s Annual Meeting
Qualifications
Applicant must be a graduating high school senior in West Tennessee.
The applicant or applicant’s parent or guardian must be a member of Leaders Education Foundation. *Membership with Leaders Credit Union does not qualify.
Not a member of Leaders Education Foundation Yet?
You can become a member and be eligible for our West Tennessee scholarships in just a few minutes.
Simply donate $10 to the Leaders Education Foundation. Besides being granted eligibility for scholarships, your contribution will have a lasting impact on the future of other students. Visit leadersgives.org/give.
Note the member's name in the application- student, parent or guardian
Applicants must be accepted to an accredited college or university in the United States.
What do you need to apply?
Selection of the scholarship(s) you wish to apply for.
Parent/Guardian information
Leaders Education Foundation Membership
High School Information
GPA and ACT Score
List Academic Achievements
List Early Post Secondary Achievements like Dual Enrollment or CTE Credentials
List Extracurricular Activities
Employment Information (if employed)
College Acceptance Information or top 3 prospects
Financial Information including FAFSA Student Aid Index Score
Essay Question Answers
Describe any special circumstances that may affect your ability to pay for your college tuition.
Why do you feel you should be considered for one of Leaders Education Foundation's scholarships?
What are your educational goals and how will your educational choices affect the rest of your career?
Explain whether or not you feel it is important to manage money and debt wisely and how it can affect your future.
Upload a high school transcript. An official transcript is not required to apply however it will be requested if you are selected.
Upload a formal picture or senior picture. Screenshots are not accepted. Exclude any cropped or edited images with graphics overlayed on them. Pictures are not used or reviewed in scholarship determination, only in scholarship recipient announcements.
Copy of college acceptance letter or other proof. An official letter is not required.
Upload proof of ACT Score or an additional copy of your transcript if the score is listed. (Must have official documentation of score if not listed on transcript.)
Recommendation Letter requests will be sent through the application portal. It is your responsibility to ask and follow up with the individuals who will submit a letter of recommendation for you. A recommendation letter should be on official school or organization letterhead. If not available, the document should be signed and uploaded to the portal. Letters of Recommendation will only be accepted by uploading to the application portal.
Selection Process
The scholarship offerings will be awarded based on financial need, community service, or academic achievement. Please see each scholarship description for more details.
Missing information within the application will result in disqualification. Leaders Education Foundation is under no obligation to contact applicants regarding missing or incomplete information. All applications will be reviewed and graded based on a scorecard carefully created by the scholarship committee. Students may apply for more than one scholarship if the student qualifies. For instance, a student can apply for the Financial Wellness Video Scholarship as well as a Community Scholarship if the student meets the location qualifications.
The scholarship funds may be used at the student’s discretion to help with the costs associated with education, including tuition, books, fees or various living costs. The scholarship will be made payable to the student upon receipt of the:
Final High School Transcript (to be received upon graduation)
Proof of College Registration (to be received after registration)
Signed W-9 Form (submitted with application)
