Scholarships

TENNESSEE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

 TGFOA is proud to offer the following scholarship opportunities:

  • First Time Attendee to the Fall or Spring Conference
  • First Time Attendee to the GFOA National Conference
  • Carson Swinford Government Accounting Scholarship
  • Scholarship to the GFOA Leadership Academy

APPLICATION INFORMATION

First Time Attendee to the TGFOA Fall or Spring Conference or the GFOA National Conference

There is not a formal application for these scholarships. The scholarship will cover up to $1,000 for the registration, hotel, travel and meals (if not provided at the conference). If interested, notify Karen Bell, Treasurer, at  director.tgfoa@gmail.com. State your name, title, government entity and contact information.

Carson Swinford Government Accounting Scholarship

Overview

The Tennessee Government Finance Officers Association (TGFOA) offers a scholarship program in the amount of $1,000 to undergraduate or graduate students seeking a career in government finance, accounting or a related area. In financial training, accounting is perceived to be one of the basic building blocks for such a career. For that reason, the TGFOA is pleased to support students that have chosen to major in finance, accounting or a related area. While public finance is broadly based and involves multiple disciplines, a fundamental knowledge of accounting is essential. Because of the differences in governmental and private sector accounting, students require additional coursework to become familiar with fund accounting and issues involving the framework for reporting governmental activities.

Purpose of scholarship

The goal of the scholarship program is to serve as a gateway to a paid internship in local public finance. By expanding the pool of quality, entry-level candidates for local and state financial management positions, governments, utilities and school districts will be able to draw upon a larger and better- qualified roster of potential candidates for open positions. Participating students will graduate in a better position to compete for public sector jobs and have a better understanding of the differences in private sector and governmental/non-profit accounting.

Timing of scholarship

Most accounting programs, at Board of Regents four-year colleges and the community college programs which include transferrable credits to four-year colleges, provide excellent training in basic and intermediate accounting, cost and managerial accounting, and a variety of other accounting topics.

Government accounting, however, is typically an elective within the track of courses for accounting majors. TGFOA desires to promote the study of government accounting by providing funding during the semester that students elect to take government accounting courses. This is typically in the junior or senior year.

Selection Criteria

The primary criteria for scholarship selection are rising senior undergraduates (or juniors who elect to take governmental accounting) and graduate students who are interested in pursuing a career in public finance, preferably at the local or state level. Preference will be given to those candidates who have solicited arrangements for internships following the semester in which the governmental accounting course is taken.

To Apply for the Scholarship:

  1. Statement of proposed career plan
  2. Undergraduate transcript
  3. Resume
  4. Academic advisor or dean’s letter of recommendation. If serving as an intern, a recommendation letter from your supervisor will be acceptable as well. All should be on
  5. Send the documents to Karen Bell at director.tgfoa@gmail.com..

GFOA Leadership Academy

The GFOA Leadership Academy was developed to focus on enhancing your leadership skills and advancing your career. This week-long program offers participants a chance to step away from day-to- day demands and technical training and instead focus on leadership development. Who should attend? Finance Directors, Assistant Finance Directors, Treasurers, Department Managers or Directors, Assistant City Managers or City Managers. For more information, visit gfoa.org/leadershipacademy. TGFOA will select one candidate annually to attend the GFOA Leadership Academy. To apply for the TGFOA scholarship submit the following to Karen Bell.

  1. Letter of introduction to TGFOA Executive Committee
  2. Resume
  3. Copy of Completed GFOA Leadership Academy application

You will be notified by a member of the TGFOA Executive Committee if your scholarship has been awarded. After completing the Leadership Academy, submit your receipts to Sandi Allen, TGFOA Executive Director and TGFOA will reimburse a not to exceed amount of $2,000 for expenses related to attendance at the academy.

Revisions approved at the 10 01 2021 Annual Business Meeting.

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