Sam H. Odom Scholarship

The Sam Houston Odom scholarship was established in 2015 to provide scholarship funds to students who are enrolled in a Tennessee community college, pursuing an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree. The scholarship will be awarded to 13 Community College Nursing Students (one at each of Tennessee’s 13 community colleges) at $1,000 per student per semester (Fall and Spring Semester -- up to 2 semesters per student).

Scholarship Criteria

• Students admitted to a nursing program at a Tennessee community college
• Current Tennessee resident and Permanent U.S. Citizen
• Completed FAFSA on file with the home institution
• Enrollment in a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester
• Evidence of involvement in leadership and community service activities (applicants will submit a portfolio of no more than 7 pages with at least one letter of support from a faculty or professional staff member at the home institution)

​​​​​​​Preference will be given to enlisted members of the Tennessee Air National Guard, healthcare workers employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs in one of its facilities, and to persons who are single parents.

Selection Process

• Award availability is announced before October 9 and February 9 each calendar year.
• Each TBR community college with a nursing program may nominate members of their current students to be considered for the award.
• Recipients will be selected by a distinguished panel appointed by the TBR System Office, which will review application materials.
• Deadline for to apply is September 30 and January 30, and the award will be announced by October 9 and February 9.

Requirements for Renewal

This scholarship will be automatically renewed for one additional semester (for a total of two semesters or until an associate’s degree is completed, whichever comes first), if the students meets the following criteria:

• Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
• Carry a minimum course load of 9 credit hours per semester 

Administration of the Scholarship

The TBR System Office will send notification to the recipients and copy the Financial Aid Director at the home institution. Notification from the System Office will only occur during the semester of the award.

In the second semester, the Financial Aid office at the home institution should notify the student of the continuance of this scholarship. The Financial Aid Office will verify the recipient meets the cumulative grade point average and course load requirement. The Financial Aid Director, or their designee, will notify the System Office of the continuance or discontinuance of the award for the student.

Payment will be made to the Institution by October 15 for the Fall term and February 15 for the Spring term. The institution will then cut a check to the student for the appropriate award amount. This will be done on a per-semester basis contingent upon registration in a minimum of 9 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.