2026 NSA Scholarship PROGRAM

 Who is eligible to apply?

To be eligible for this award, you must:

• be a United States or Canadian citizen; and,
  • Permanent residents are NOT eligible to apply except for applicants from Arizona. Legal residents from Arizona may apply.
• be majoring in accounting or committed to pursue a major of accounting for the remainder of your college studies; and,
• have maintained a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale); and, 
• 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; or,
  • Applicants from Arizona must carry a minimum of 9 credit hours.
  • Students must have completed their first semester or term  prior to applying. 
  • Two-year college students may apply during their second year provided they are transferring to a four-year institution.
  • Fourth year college students may apply in their final year provided they are transferring or continuing on into a graduate degree program focused on accounting.
• be a graduate student enrolled at least half-time at an accredited college or university in the United States.

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

When is the application deadline?

Friday, May 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time Zone

What is the Program timeline?

• Application Opens: January 15, 2026
• Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
• Scholarship Recipients Notified: June 12, 2026
• Scholarship Checks Issued: July 30, 2026

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 within the accounting industry; 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 range from $1,000 to $2,500;
• Awards are one-time and not renewable (with exception of the Stanley H. Stearman Award); however, students may reapply each year as long as they continue to meet the eligibility criteria;
• 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;
• Students may transfer from one institution to another and retain the award; and
• The scholarships will be sent directly to the college or university.

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, 2026;
• 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 May 1, 2026.
• 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 the 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. With electronic systems, they are often sent directly to us upon your request.

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 will be asked to verify certain information prior to a check being issued to your school. You must be enrolled in the next academic year without interruption as the scholarship is often divided over both terms by your school. Please notify us if you are complete with your program after the fall term so we can ensure you receive full credit of the scholarship. If you are transferring to another school for the fall term, please let us know so we can remit funds directly to your new school. Finally, please notify the NSA Scholarship Foundation should your check not arrive within 30 days of the issue date listed above.

How and when are checks issued?

Checks will be issued by the issue date listed above and are 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.