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.
Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship Program
Ned McWherter Scholars Program
Minority Teaching Fellows Program
Tractor Supply Company Scholarship
TN General Assembly Merit Scholarship
TN Hope Scholarship
MetLife Foundation Scholarship
HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant
Dr. Richard Forrest and Ella Dudney Kelsey Memorial Scholarship Fund
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 awards worth below. Apply now to our list of scholarships.
This award is available to Arkansas graduate students who are studying dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, osteopathic medicine, podiatric medicine, or chiropractic medicine at an eligible out-of-state institution.
This award is available for Tennessee resident undergraduate students who are attending a public or an eligible non-public postsecondary educational institution in Tennessee. Students must enroll on a half-time basis or greater and must demonstrate financial need of having and EFC of $2,100 or less.
This award is available for Tennessee resident students who are planning to attend a Tennessee public or private college or university. Students must be the dependent child of a Tennessee law enforcement officer, fireman, or an emergency medical service technician who has been killed or totally and permanently disabled due to an incident that occurred in the line of duty while employed in Tennessee.
U.S. and international students currently enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree program in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, manufacturing technology, or a closely related field of study are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and preference will be given to Tennessee residents, then students who attend the University of Memphis, and finally students who plan to study in Tennessee.
This award is for U.S. undergraduate students who attend or are planning to attend Tennessee Technological University. The applicant must plan to work in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) profession, and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
This scholarship is available for Korean-American students who are currently enrolled as a high school junior or senior, as an undergraduate, or as a graduate student. Applicants must reside in one of the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, or Tennessee.
This is a writing contest for residents of Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina. To enter, students may submit their work in one of four categories: fiction, poetry, nonfiction or drama. Applicants should review the website for the requirements to enter their specific writing category.
This award is available to U.S. and international undergraduate and graduate students who are reside in an eligible Southern state. Applicants must major in nursing and have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
This scholarship is available to U.S. high school seniors graduating from Collierville High School in Shelby County, Tenn. The applicant must plan to become a professional educator or pursue a career in the medical field.
U.S. and Canadian citizens who will have earned no more than 12 hours towards a Master of Library Science degree by June of the award year are eligible for this award. Students must be members of a principal minority group; attend an ALA-accredited school; and plan to enter the library automation field.
