Chandler/Turner Scholarship Application

The descendants of James and Ellen (Turner ) Chandler would like to award scholarships for this up and coming academic school year, in honor of our deceased family members. The Scholarship award categories derived from their experiences, vocations or personal interest of the Chandler Turner siblings who have passed.

James Chandler Jr. Entrepreneurship
The James Chandler Jr. Entrepreneurship Scholarship is for a young person interested in entrepreneurship and general business.  James Chandler Jr. successfully navigated the world of work and business thriving with intention and consistency. He was very successful in his own business ventures. He also served our country in the military. He retired from Allied Signal as a machinist.    

Teola Chandler Tillman Scholarship Nursing Administration is for a young person with the compassion to help others and is interested in the medical field with a strong emphasis in nursing. Teola absolutely loved being a nurse on all levels throughout her career.  Her greatest gift was helping people in general but more specifically with medical needs.  She passionately gave back to the community by volunteering her nursing knowledge to those in need of medical care.  Teola retired as an Infectious control disease nursing administrator for the Veterans Administrative medical center. She also retired as a school nurse from Welborn School.

The Eldora Chandler Gray Education Administration award is for a youth that is a community leader or an education major.  Eldora loved making a difference in the lives of students specifically in teaching.  She often changed the lives of many students through education.  She worked in the class room and with students one on one to tutor in an effort to create life changing results. Eldora developed schools through her principal and administrative leadership.

The Roger L. Chandler Scholarship, will be awarded to a student with great community service.  Roger L. Chandler often assisted Eldora in general areas as support staff cleaning, heavy lifting, assisting and helping as needed with a variety of programs and tasks. Roger L. Chandler most importantly brought smiles to the bright faces of many students.

The Marvin W. Chandler Scholarship will be for an athlete that has shown great leadership, commitment to academics and outstanding sportsmanship. Marvin W. Chandler was a stellar athlete thriving successfully in multiple sports. He often worked as a coach mentoring and making a difference in the lives of young athletes.

Sheilah V. Chandler Jordan Scholarship is for a young person interested in interior design and general artistic interest. Sheilah loved decor, art, books, flowers and colors. She had a unique way of creating a beautiful and interesting environment. Sheilah was known for finding unique artists and shops, often handcrafted and simply beautiful finds.

“Brighten The Corner Where You Are” Honoring the life of Edna Ray
Edna Ray an avid and passionate supporter/donor of the Chandler / Turner Scholarship Fund along with her husband Herman Ray. Edna Ray was a friend and nurse who worked with Teola Chandler Tillman. She was a firm believer in giving our youth the opportunity to seek higher education. She was the benefactor of scholarships, which allowed her to pursue a very successful career in Nursing. As a result her passion was for the student whom the scholarship would be need based with significant reference to great character based on the Poem “Brighten The Corner Where You Are”. In honor of Edna Ray the family has donated to the Chandler/Turner Scholarship Fund with great intention to help make a difference in the education and life of a student.

Eligible students must be:

• A graduating senior from high school.
• African American graduating seniors from the metropolitan Kansas City area who have been accepted to a college, university or technical school and can provide proof they will attend school the following school year.
• Possess an acceptance letter to an accredited post-secondary institution.
• The qualified types of schools are: Vocational, Community, or University.
• Lives in the Greater Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri area.

(All items must accompany the application for consideration).

The applicant must submit:

1. The completed online application
2. A typed 500-word essay stating their goals, objective and financial need for continuing their education as an African American student.
3. Two letters of recommendation from a counselor, teacher or professional associate.
4. Attach an unofficial transcript
5. A current photo
6. Proof of continued education enrollment (Acceptance Letter). ​
7. Current enrollment verification form from the higher education institution you are attending/will attend. Enrollment will be verified.

The application can be submitted online by applying below or if mailed it must be legible or typed and post marked on or before March 31st.

School Counselors, PLEASE feel free to pass our website link for the preferred online application process for qualifying students. Click on the CTS Application Form tab.

If mailed send the application packet to:
Chandler – Turner Scholarship
C/O Teri Tillman Tibby 
PO Box 172241
Kansas City, KS 66117-1393

The Scholarships fall into categories derived from the vocations of the Chandler/Turner siblings who have passed on.

• The Marvin W. Chandler and The James Chandler Jr. Scholarships will be chosen for an athlete that has shown great leadership, commitment to academics and outstanding sportsmanship.
• The Eldora Chandler Gray & Roger L. Chandler Scholarships will be awarded to those youth that are community leaders / education majors.
• ​The Teola Chandler Tillman Scholarship is for a young person with the compassion to help and interested in the medical field with a strong emphasis in Nursing.

Awards are made exclusively from the determination of the Selection Committee. Our Selection Committee objectively analyzes each applicant against a set of criteria arriving at a consensual decision to select each winner that meets our mission and vision criteria. Our average awards: $500- $2,000.