Tennessee Scholarships for 2024

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Are There Tennessee Scholarships for College?

TN scholarships exist for Tennessee residents and out of state students. Some go out on the basis of merit, athletics, talent and your GPA. Others help with unmet financial need based on your FAFSA on file with a school.

With these scholarships in Tennessee, you may also have to show you’re a full time student. Students typically must be United States citizen and plan to attend an accredited two or four year college in TN.

One TN scholarship for aspiring songwriters is the Nashville Songwriting Scholarship. Offered each year by the BMI Foundation, Inc., it awards one winner $5,000. The program is open to all current full and part time college students between the ages of 17 to 24. To enter, you submit an original song (including lyrics and instrumentation). You have to stick to these genres: Americana, blues, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, country, folk, and roots.

10 TN Scholarships for College Students in 2024 

Here are ten TN college scholarships available to check out. If you meet the eligibility rules, fill out a scholarship application and send it in soon. 

  1. Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship Program
  2. Ned McWherter Scholars Program
  3. Minority Teaching Fellows Program
  4. Tractor Supply Company Scholarship 
  5. TN General Assembly Merit Scholarship 
  6. TN Hope Scholarship
  7. MetLife Foundation Scholarship 
  8. HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant
  9. Dr. Richard Forrest and Ella Dudney Kelsey Memorial Scholarship Fund
  10. The Bird Dog Foundation, Inc. Annual High School Senior Essay

What TN Scholarships are for Tennessee Residents?

The TN state government offers various scholarships for Tennessee residents only. STEP UP Scholarship is for high school grads with intellectual disabilities. It offers up to $1,750 for freshman and sophomore. Then up to $2,250 as a junior and senior.

You also must be admitted full time into an eligible postsecondary school. Eligible schools include Vanderbilt University, University of Memphis and others.

The Dependent Children Scholarship Program is another award. It provides financial aid for state residents who are dependent children of a TN law enforcement officer, fireman, or an emergency medical service technician who was killed or forever disabled while on duty. This award is for full time undergraduate students attending eligible TN schools.

Can Out of State Students Apply for Scholarships in Tennessee?

There are Tennessee scholarships for out of state students. Many awards may be available to qualifying students from the largest Tennessee state universities.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville offers four scholarships for out of state freshmen students. One is the Tennessee Explore Scholarship. It is available to new first year out of state students. High school seniors who apply for admission must have a minimum 3.6 GPA. To keep the scholarship valued at $4,000, $6,000 and $7,500 per year, you must also maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Middle Tennessee University also offers a range of merit scholarships for out of state first year students. One is called MTSU Freshmen Guaranteed Scholarships. Three awards also require you to apply with a 3.5 GPA. Award amounts are $2,000, $4,500 and $5,000 depending on ACT/SAT scores.

What is the Tennessee Education Lottery Program?

The TN Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) from the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation offers financial assistance using the proceeds from the state lotteries. The program offers ten TN scholarships and grants.

These scholarships help eligible students attend TN schools that take part in the various programs. Also, many TN schools such as University of Memphis accept the TELS program. All require you to be both a U.S. citizen/legal non citizen and state resident.

In 2019 to 2020, the TELS Board Report cites $403,698,865 in scholarship funds went to 150,939 recipients. See if you qualify for one of their programs! 

The HOPE Scholarship is for new incoming freshmen. If you’re a recipient at a two year or four year school with on campus housing, the scholarship pays a max of $1,750 per semester as a freshman and sophomore. Then up to $2,250 per semester as a junior and senior. For two year colleges, one may receive up to $1,500 as a freshman and sophomore. All require full time enrollment. 

To qualify, you must enroll at an eligible postsecondary institution within sixteen (16) months after you graduate (or get a GED) from a TN eligible high school. Other criteria include a minimum of 3.0 grade point average and 21 ACT or 1060 SAT score. You should also plan to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as early as possible.

General Assembly Merit Scholarship are for new freshmen. This TN scholarship offers up to $1,500 in addition to the HOPE Scholarship. Based on merit, you need a GPA of at least 3.75, 29 ACT or 1330 SAT. Other criteria are to graduate from a TN public school or category 1, 2, 3 private school. There are also scholarship funds for home schooled students. 

How Much Do Tennessee Colleges Cost? 

For the 2017 to 2018 year, NCES lists the average tuition and fees of a public four year TN college at $9,574 (in state) and $25,378 (out of state). The state of Tennessee also has a number of private four year schools. The cost of average tuition and fees is $26,939. If you’re starting out at a two year school, the average tuition and required fees are $4,148 (in state) and $16,140 (out of state). 

As the cost of college keeps rising every year, it’s important to apply to as many scholarships and seek out financial aid. This may help make college more affordable as you focus on your studies.

List of TN Scholarships for 2024

There are 20,709 awards worth $32M below. Apply now to our list of scholarships.

Ircel Harrison Theological Scholarship

This scholarship is open to U.S. students who plan to pursue or are currently pursuing a master’s or doctoral program in theology (or a related field). Students must have Tennessee connections through birth, residence, college education, or a desire to serve in the state; and must be a member of a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship-affiliated congregation or demonstrate support to state and/or national CBF programs, ministries, or missions.
Award Amount

Total: $1000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: March 15

AIST Ohio Valley Member Chapter

This scholarship is available for U.S. high school seniors and undergraduate students in the Ohio Valley Region (Southern Indiana, Kentucky, Western Tennessee and Southern Ohio) who are planning to major in engineering and pursue a career in iron and steel technology. Applicants must be AIST members or dependents of AIST members.
Award Amount

Total: $4000

Awards: 2

Deadline

Deadline: March 31

The Bird Dog Foundation, Inc. Annual High School Senior Essay Contest

This award is for U.S. high school seniors who reside in Tennessee, Arkansas or Mississippi who plan to attend an accredited institution of higher education. Students must submit an essay of 900 to 1,000 words to qualify.
Award Amount

Total: $1250

Awards: 2

Deadline

Deadline: April 15

Gabe A. Hartl (Category A) Scholarship

Undergraduate students enrolled in six or more credit hours with a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours still to be completed are eligible for this award. Students must be enrolled or accepted in a two-year or greater air traffic control program at an institution appproved and/or listed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Award Amount

Total: $2000

Awards: 2

Deadline

Deadline: May 01

Hershey Company Tribal Scholarship – Non-Tribal College Students

This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate students of American Indian or Alaskan Native descent who have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and are majoring in math, technology, science, engineering and/or business. Priority is given to students who are studying in or residents of Illinois, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Award Amount

Total: $2500

Awards: 27

Deadline

Deadline: May 31

Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant

This award is for Tennessee high school juniors or seniors who are participating in a dual enrollment program with an eligible Tennessee postsecondary institution.
Award Amount

Total: $556

Awards: 17759

Deadline

Deadline: November 15

Bucknell University Campus Enrichment Scholarship

This award is available for U.S. students enrolling at Bucknell University. First generation college students, students from outside the university’s traditional geographic area, and those who bring cultural and intellectual diversity to the campus will be considered.
Award Amount

Total: $100000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: January 15

Nancy Penn Lyons Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is available to Georgia high school seniors with demonstrated financial need who have been accepted for enrollment at selective private or out-of-state institutions (students attending public Georgia institutions ineligible). Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, and an SAT score of 1000 or higher or an ACT score of 22 or higher.
Award Amount

Total: $20000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: January 22

James M. and Virginia M. Smyth Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is open to U.S. undergraduate students who are majoring in the arts/sciences, human services, music, or ministry. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and demonstrate financial need. Preference will be given to applicants from Missouri, Mississippi, Georgia, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas, and Tennessee.
Award Amount

Total: $8000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: January 22

R.G. and Ruth Crossno Memorial Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is available for high school seniors currently attending Anderson County High School in Clinton, Tenn. Applicants must have a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.
Award Amount

Total: $6000

Awards: 1

Deadline

Deadline: February 15