USA Scholarships
Partial Funding Undergraduate Masters the USA

Regina B. Shearn Scholarship 2027 - $2,000 APS

Deadline February 14, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET 147 days left · Hosted by Alpha Phi Sigma · Published

The Regina B. Shearn Scholarship 2027 supports Alpha Phi Sigma members who want careers in corrections and related criminal justice fields. Dr. Regina B. Shearn led the honor society as its first executive director, and the fund has recognized student leaders since 2001. Apply through the undergraduate or graduate SmarterSelect portal linked from alphaphisigma.org. You must be an official APS member, enrolled in a degree program, and willing to upload advisor-signed transcripts, a service-focused resume, three letters, and a 5- to 7-page paper on your corrections background and goals. Each track awards $2,000. The deadline is February 14, 2027, and repeat winners of the same Shearn award are ineligible in back-to-back years.

Per undergrad or grad track
$2,000
APS members only
Criminal justice
SmarterSelect deadline
14 Feb 2027
Accredited U.S. colleges
Nationwide
How to apply Am I eligible? Official website

What is the Regina B. Shearn Scholarship?

Alpha Phi Sigma is the national criminal justice honor society, and Regina B. Shearn shaped its modern headquarters long before most current members joined. The scholarship named for her rewards students who already invest in chapter service and can articulate a corrections career in writing.

Expect a serious file. You are not tossing in a 500-word essay. Reviewers want advisor-signed transcripts, a resume packed with leadership, three substantive letters, and a formatted paper that reads like a graduate school statement focused on probation offices, jails, or reentry programs.

Membership timing trips people up every year. If you are still listed as chapter-associated rather than a national member, fix that with headquarters before February. Chapters also need current financial and activity reports on file, so nag your advisor politely in November rather than the week before the portal closes.

If your interests lean toward broader public safety funding, stack this deadline with the Patrick L. Hiram – John S. Freitas Scholarship or the David A. Mortensen DAM Scholarship for different essay prompts and regions.

Who can apply

Eligibility

Your progress 0 / 6
  • ✓
    Official Alpha Phi Sigma member
    Only national APS members may apply. Students associated with a chapter who have not completed membership processing do not qualify for society scholarships.
  • ✓
    Enrolled in a degree program
    You must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program when the award is made and be ready to prove enrollment for the semester funds are paid.
  • ✓
    Corrections career focus
    Your paper should explain your corrections educational background and goals in areas such as parole, probation, counseling, security, or transitional programs.
  • ✓
    Chapter in good standing
    Alpha Phi Sigma requires chapters to file financial and activity reports before the scholarship deadline. Confirm your chapter status with your advisor early.
  • ✓
    No back-to-back Shearn wins
    You may not receive the Regina B. Shearn Scholarship in two consecutive years. Plan alternate APS awards if you won this fund last cycle.
  • ✓
    Formatting rules for written work
    Upload the career paper in 12-point Times New Roman, double spaced, with one-inch margins. Deviating from the format can hurt your score.
What you get

Benefits

  • Award amount $2,000
  • Number of awards One undergraduate winner
  • Use of funds Higher education expenses only
  • Renewal Not renewable
  • Conference travel Not included
  • Award amount $2,000
  • Number of awards One graduate winner
  • Use of funds Higher education expenses only
  • Renewal Not renewable
  • Conference travel Not included
What to prepare

Document checklist

Documents gathered 0 / 6
  • ✓
    Advisor-signed transcript
    Submit your most recent transcript with your chapter advisor signature. Order an official copy early if your registrar needs processing time.
  • ✓
    Resume with leadership and service
    List campus and community roles, honors, and awards. Include APS board titles and volunteer hours outside chapter events when they strengthen your file.
  • ✓
    5- to 7-page corrections goals paper
    Describe your corrections education and career plans covering counseling, parole, programs, security, teaching, faith-based work, or transition services as relevant.
  • ✓
    Three recommendation letters
    Each letter should speak to your performance, citizenship, character, and ambitions. Choose mentors who know your criminal justice work personally.
  • ✓
    SmarterSelect application responses
    Complete every portal page, including GPA fields, chapter Greek name, advisor contact, and APS participation questions.
  • ✓
    Proof of enrollment if requested
    Headquarters may ask for current registration documents before releasing the $2,000 check to your school account.
Step by step

How to apply

Log into your member record or ask [email protected] if your initiation is complete before you start the SmarterSelect account.
Open the correct Regina B. Shearn portal from alphaphisigma.org/scholarships. The forms differ by degree level.
Write 5-7 pages on your background and goals in corrections subfields. Follow Times New Roman, double spacing, and one-inch margins exactly.
Give recommenders at least three weeks. Share the citizenship and character criteria so letters match APS expectations.
Meet with your chapter advisor to review grades and sign the transcript scan before upload.
Upload every file, sign the consent statement, and submit before February 14, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern.
Recipients are recognized in society publications and conferences after the national review panel finishes scoring.
When

Deadline and timeline

Application deadline
February 14, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. ET
147 days left
Fall 2026
Members outline corrections career papers and confirm chapter good-standing reports with advisors.
Nov - Dec 2026
Request recommendation letters and order transcripts for advisor signature.
Jan 2027
Final edits on the 5-7 page paper and SmarterSelect uploads.
14 Feb 2027
SmarterSelect portal closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for all individual APS scholarships.
Spring 2027
Faculty judges review files and select Regina B. Shearn recipients.
Summer 2027
Winners listed in Alpha Phi Sigma publications and apply funds toward fall tuition.
Questions

FAQ

What is the Regina B. Shearn Scholarship?

Alpha Phi Sigma awards the Regina B. Shearn Scholarship to honor its first executive director. Members submit transcripts, a resume, three letters, and a corrections career paper for a $2,000 prize on the undergraduate or graduate track.

Who can apply for the Regina B. Shearn Scholarship?

You must be an official Alpha Phi Sigma member enrolled in a U.S. degree program. Chapter-associated students who are not national members cannot apply.

How much is the Regina B. Shearn Scholarship worth?

Each track pays $2,000 to one winner. Undergraduate and graduate awards are separate SmarterSelect programs, so one member could theoretically win only one track in a given year.

What should my Regina B. Shearn paper cover?

Explain your corrections educational background and personal goals in fields such as parole, probation, counseling, security, teaching, faith-based programs, or transition services. Stay within 5-7 pages using the required font and margins.

When is the Regina B. Shearn Scholarship deadline?

Alpha Phi Sigma sets February 14, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for individual scholarships, including both Shearn tracks.

Can I win the Shearn Scholarship two years in a row?

No. APS rules block receiving the Regina B. Shearn Scholarship in consecutive years. You may still apply for other society awards if you meet their criteria.

Do I need a criminal justice major?

The application asks for cumulative and criminal justice GPAs, and the paper focuses on corrections careers. Most winners study criminal justice or closely related fields.

Where do I apply for the Regina B. Shearn Scholarship?

Start at alphaphisigma.org/scholarships and open the undergraduate or graduate Regina B. Shearn link, which routes to SmarterSelect program 91502 or 91503.

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