NAAIA JL Tillman Endowed Scholarship Fund

NAAIA JL Tillman Endowed Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to help African-American students further their education in insurance, risk management, business, IT, actuarial science, finance or marketing. The fund was established by the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) in honor of its founder, Jerald L. Tillman, a successful independent agent in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Mr. Tillman says, “NAAIA was created to encourage people of color to consider the many different career opportunities in the insurance industry. Our scholarship provides the industry another avenue to encourage our nation’s best and brightest to enter our great industry.”

Since its inception in 2013, this scholarship has 7 award recipients from Howard University, Missouri State University, Georgia State University, University of Tulsa, and Butler University. “Our relationship with the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America’s InVest network has enabled us to reach out and find many of these students and we are very thankful,” says Tillman.

Primary Qualifying Criteria:

Applicant must be an African-American.
Applicant must be a U.S. Citizen.
Applicant must have a minimum of a 2.5 GPA.
Applicant must be a graduating High School Senior who is college bound in the summer or fall of 2023, or a full-time college student (i.e., four-year college program, Junior College, or Community College Student.
Preferred degrees include: Risk Management, Insurance, Business, Math, Actuarial Science, Computer Technology, Marketing, an associated field of study or be interested in pursuing a career in the insurance industry.
If applicant is a graduating High School Senior, applicant must show school acceptance letter and acceptable proof that commitment has been made to attend a specific school in the summer or fall of 2023.
Applicant must complete Annual Scholarship Program Entry Form before deadline date. All entries must be received on or prior to the deadline of August 15, 2023.

Essay Topic & Instructions:

Part 1: Describe how the threat of a Cyber related issue or an actual event impacted your perspective relative to the value of insurance.

AND

Part 2: Describe how insurance may offer a career track option for you based upon your aspirations?

Essay Instructions:

Essays should be double spaced and limited to two pages, no more than 500 words per part.
Essays must contain specific facts and reasoning which support your case.

Additional Submission Requirements:

Three letters of Reference. Two from teachers or counselors; one can be from a community person (such as a minister, mentor, employer, etc.).

A copy of your most recent high school or college transcript

High school students or graduates who are enrolling in college must provide documentation confirming your ACT score of 23 or higher or SAT combined score of 1200 or higher. (Not required if you are already attending college)