Incoming Freshmen, Four-Year Merit Scholarships

Qualifying students are allowed only one UT Martin four-year merit freshmen scholarship.

University Scholars Program

• $2,500 per year for four years, stack-able with the $3,000 Chancellor's Scholarship.
• Selective Scholarship; Students must be eligible for the Chancellor's Scholarship to apply
• Thirty students selected by program directors are allowed into the program each year with a maximum of 120 students in the program at one time
• Continuation requirements: must have a 3.3 GPA at the end of spring semester; participate in a special ten-semester hour curriculum for University Scholar students; and be active in extra-curricular activities including group community service, cultural activities, and service to the student organization.
• Students who successfully complete the program graduate with the distinction of "University Scholar"
• Complete the online application by December 1 and participate in the interview weekend activities

Fall 2023 Merit-Scholarship Qualifications

View merit-based scholarships chart

Merit-based scholarships start at a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and a 19 ACT (or SAT equivalent) and are awarded as funds are available. Students are automatically considered for merit-based awards when applying for admission, and priority consideration is given to students who apply for admission by February 1. The amounts listed for each scholarships are for new students enrollment at UT Martin in Fall 2023. Merit-based scholarships are not available to students enrolled in online degree programs.

Chancellor Scholarship

• $3,000 per year/$12,000 for four years
• Chancellor's Scholarship recipients are eligible for a travel-study stipend to apply toward a university-approved travel experience while enrolled at UT Martin.
• Academic requirements: See Scholarship Chart
• Continuation requirements: 3.2 GPA at the end of each spring semester, remain a full-time student
• Recipients are eligible to enroll in Honors courses
• How to apply: Your UT Martin admission application
• Deadline: February 1
• Out-of-state students will also receive a waiver to cover out-of-state fees (additional estimated value $6,040 per year/$24,160 for four years)

Dean Scholarship

• $2,000 per year /$8,000 for four years
• Academic requirements: See Scholarship Chart
• Continuation requirements: 3.0 at the end of each spring semester, remain a full-time student
• How to apply: Your UT Martin admission application
• Deadline: February 1
• Out-of-state students who qualify for the Dean Scholarship will also receive the Voyager Out-of-State Scholarship

Excellence Scholarship

• $1,500 per year /$6,000 for four years
• Academic requirements: See Scholarship Chart
• Continuation requirements: 3.0 GPA at the end of each spring semester, remain a full time student
• Out-of-state students who qualify for the Excellence scholarship will also receive the Voyager Out-of-State Scholarship
• How to apply: Your UT Martin admission application
• Deadline: February 1

Achieve Scholarship

• $1,000 per year /$4,000 for four years
• Academic requirements: See Scholarship Chart
• Continuation requirements: 2.75 GPA at the end of each spring semester, remain a full time student
• Out-of-state students who qualify for the Achieve scholarship will also receive the Voyager Out-of-State Scholarship
• How to Apply: Your UT Martin admission application
• Deadline: February 1

Harold Conner Scholarship

• $2,000 per year/$8,000 for four years
• Selective scholarship
• To be considered, students must have a minimum ACT of 21 and a 3.25 high school grade point average
• Continuation requirements: must have 3.0 GPA at the end of each spring semester, remain a full-time student
• Awards will be made on the basis of the high school academic and leadership record and ACT score
• Must be classified as an in-state student
• Preference will be given to students from underrepresented groups.
• How to apply: Your UT Martin admission application
• Deadline: February 1

Other Four-Year Scholarships

Voyager Out-of-State Scholarship

• $5,000 per year for up to four years
• First-year students must have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA.
• Transfer students must be regularly admitted with 12+ transfer hours and a 2.0 cumulative GPA
• Must be a full-time student and remain in good standing

Music Scholarship

• $300 - $1000 per year
• Awarded by audition to students regardless of major
• Renewable each academic year

Band Scholarship

• $300 - $1000 per year
• Awarded by audition to students regardless of major
• Renewable each academic year

Army R.O.T.C. Scholarship

• The U.S. Army offers four, three, and two-year scholarships to qualified men and women on a merit basis. They pay for tuition and fees (or room and board), books, and related academic expenses.
• If opted out of tuition and fees for (room and board) the student will receive $5,000 towards their room and board per semester.
• A tax free subsistence allowance of approximately $3,000-$5,000 per year is provided to students who enroll in the advance course or for each year an ROTC scholarship is in effect.
• For more information contact: jbass22@utm.edu

Transfer Scholarships

Elam Promise Transfer

• $1,000 per year for up to three years
• Completed 12+ credit hours
• Eligibility criteria: 3.5 cumulative transfer GPA
• Tennessee resident
• Renewal criteria: 3.00 GPA at the end of each spring semester, remain a full time student
• Qualifying students are allowed only one transfer scholarship

Elam Promise Transfer, Advance

• $750 per year for up to three years
• Completed 12+ credit hours
• Eligibility criteria:  3.25 – 3.49 cumulative transfer GPA
• Tennessee resident
• Renewal criteria: 2.75 GPA at the end of each spring semester, remain a full time student
• Qualifying students are allowed only one transfer scholarship

Elam Promise Transfer, Achieve

• $500 per year for up to three years
• Completed 12+ credit hours
• Eligibility criteria:  3.00 – 3.24 cumulative transfer GPA
• Tennessee resident
• Renewal criteria: 2.75 GPA at the end of each spring semester, remain a full time student
• Qualifying students are allowed only one transfer scholarship

Voyager Transfer Out-of-State Scholarship

• $5,000 per year for up to three years
• Transfer students must be regularly admitted with 12+ transfer hours and a 2.0 cumulative GPA
• Must be a full-time student and remain in good standing

Phi Theta Kappa

• $1,000 per year, up to two years
• Eligibility criteria: 3.0 cumulative transfer GPA with 12+ completed credit hours, must be an active member of Phi Theta Kappa
• Renewal criteria: 2.75 GPA at the end of each spring semester, remain a full time student

Note: Students enrolled in online degree programs are not eligible for UT Martin Merit-Based Scholarships.

Transfer Scholarship

• $1,000 - $2,000 award
• 3.5 cumulative college GPA
• Proven collegiate/community service activity
• Proven leadership activity in college or community
• Selection process
• How to Apply: Your admissions application is your application for this scholarship.
• Students will be notified of this award with an offer letter.

Valedictorian Recognition Award

• One-year award
• $1,000 stipend
• Minimum 23 ACT is required
• Selection process
• How to Apply: Your admissions application is your application for this scholarship.
• Students will be notified of this award with an offer letter.

Alumni Andrew D. Holt Scholarship

The Andrew D. Holt Scholars Program memorializes UT’s former president Dr. Andy Holt for his efforts to build the university’s scholarship program during his 20-year association with the institution. The most prestigious scholarship awarded by the University of Tennessee Alumni Association, the Andrew D. Holt scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated academic merit and leadership skills.

Alumni Andrew D. Holt Scholarship

• How to Apply: Your admissions application is your application for this scholarship.
• Students will be notified of this award with an offer letter.

Joe and Pat Johnson Student Alumni Scholarship

The Joe and Pat Johnson Student Alumni Scholarship is awarded to one student at each undergraduate campus. The $2,500 scholarship is awarded to an outstanding member of the campus student alumni organizations, respectively (i.e. Student Alumni Council in Chattanooga, Undergraduate Alumni Council in Martin, and Student Alumni Associates in Knoxville), who has served the alumni association and his/her campus.

The student must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a current student alumni association organization member who meets requirements concerning service and devotion to the UT Alumni Association and student alumni organization
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Must be enrolled as a full-time student and full-time academic standing in the prior year
• If no student qualifies for the scholarship in a particular year, the Student Alumni Scholarship will not be awarded.

Please see your Student Alumni Association representative for more information on how to apply for this scholarship.

Elam Alumni Legacy Scholarship

UT Martin alumni and their families are part of our family. That's why the UT Alumni Association - Martin Office is proud to offer the Elam Alumni Legacy Scholarship Program. The Elam Alumni Legacy Scholarship program benefits family members of alumni who want to attend UTM.

Who is eligible to be considered for an Elam Alumni Legacy Scholarship?

• Students must be incoming freshmen (Award is for freshman year only);
• He or she must be the child/stepchild, or grandchild of a UTM alumnus/alumna who has demonstrated a commitment to the university;
• Students should demonstrate good academic standing and good citizenship through extracurricular activities.
• 3.0 High School GPA and a minimum 21 ACT;
• Applicant must be able to respond yes to questions on the UT Martin Undergraduate Admission Application referring to parents and if they are graduates of UTM. A letter of invite to the student will be mailed from data received from the application process. An application will be e-mailed electronically to the applicant and will be reviewed by the Alumni Legacy Scholarship Committee.
• Apply through the Scholarship Aviator
• Deadline: February 1
• Students will be notified of the award by the Alumni Legacy Scholarship Committee.

Accounting

Agriculture, Geosciences, and Natural Resources

Alex Haley Scholarship Application

Balanced Man Scholarship from Sigma Phi Epsilon

Business

Chemistry and Physics

English

Family and Consumer Sciences

Health and Human Performance

History and Philosophy

Humanities

Marketing

Military Science

Music

Nursing

Psychology

Skyhawk Connect Scholarship

Travel-Study/Study Abroad

Visual and Theatre Arts

Hardship Scholarship

Undergraduate students in good standing who belong to an underrepresented group and/or first-generation college student, and have exhausted all financial aid offered may be considered for an Access and Diversity/Alex Haley Scholarship in the event of a financial hardship. Students requesting these funds are required to speak with the Scholarship Coordinator and/or the Director/Assistant Director to assess eligibility. The student will be sent the application to be completed and returned after the interview. Selections will be made based on scholarship criteria as well as specific need and circumstances. Students with the most critical need will be considered first. Awards will begin the week prior to the beginning of each semester and made throughout the semester as needed or until the budgeted funds are depleted for the aid year.

The Abbot and Fenner Scholarship

ACS Scholarship Program

ACS-Hach Second Career Teacher Scholarship

ACS-Hach Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Scholarship Application

AES Scholarship

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Trust Diversity Scholarship  (FAQ)

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Community Trust Scholarship

(Q&A document)

Coca-Cola Scholarship

Community Foundation Scholarship Program

Farm and Ranch Depot Scholarship

Girl Scout scholarships

Health Professions Scholarship Program- U.S. Army

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Institute for Humane Studies

James Madison Memorial Fellowship for Secondary Social Studies Majors

Jan Egerton and Don Smitley Mesothelioma Scholarship

Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Scholarship

National Eagle Scout Association Scholarships

Scarlett Family Foundation for Middle TN Students

Tennessee State

Accounting.com

Affordable Colleges Online: Financial Aid for Minorities

Search for Scholarships

Scholarships.Com

Scholarships4School

Scholarship Aviator

StudentScholarships.org

College Resource Network

SallieMae Scholarships

SallieMae Graduate Scholarships

Tuition Funding Sources

UT Promise is a new undergraduate scholarship program guaranteeing free tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying Tennessee residents attending UT's campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin and Memphis. Launching in fall 2020, this innovative scholarship will cover a student's last-dollar amount of tuition and mandatory fees after other financial aid is applied (such a Pell grants, HOPE Scholarship or other institutional scholarships) to students who qualify for HOPE and whose family income is under $50,000 per year.

For more information, including application steps and deadlines, visit the UT Promise web site.

A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded usually only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or a professional degree. The amount you are awarded is calculated from the information provided on the FAFSA and will depend on your financial need, your cost to attend school, your status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less.

The maximum amount of Pell Grant an eligible student can receive each year is equal to 150% (50% fall, 50% spring and 50% summer) of the scheduled amount. The lifetime eligibility for Pell Grants is limited to a total of 12 full-time semesters. For more information and how to calculate the lifetime eligibility, visit the Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility page.

To be eligible for Pell in the summer, eligible students must be enrolled a minimum of 6 credit hours in their degree program.

Note: Students whose parent or guardian died as a result of military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after Sept.11, 2001 are automatically eligible for the maximum Pell grant award. You must be under 24 years old or enrolled at least part-time in college at the time of your parent's or guardian's death.

The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Pell Grant recipients with the lowest expected family contributions (EFCs) will be considered first for a FSEOG. Just like Pell Grants, the FSEOG does not have to be repaid. SEOG award amounts are based on funding for per institution. These funds are limited and priority is given to the earliest qualifying applicants until the school's funds are depleted.

The TEACH Grant Program provides grants of up to $4,000 a year to students who are completing coursework to begin a career in teaching. You will be required to teach

• in a high-need field
• at an elementary school, secondary school or educational service agency that serves students from low-income families; and
• for at least four complete academic years within eight years after completing (or ceasing enrollment in) the course of study for which you received the grant.

To be eligible for a TEACH Grant, you must

• Meet the basic eligibility criteria for the federal student aid programs,
• Complete the FAFSA
• Be enrolled in a TEACH-Grant-eligible program,
• Maintain a 3.25 cumulative GPA,
• Complete TEACH Grant counseling that explains the terms and conditions of the service obligation, and
• Sign a TEACH Agreement to Serve.

High-Need Fields in Tennessee

• English as a Second Language
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Language Arts
• Art and Music Education
• Science
• Health and Physical Fitness
• Support Staff
• World Languages
• Early Childhood
• Special Education
• Career and Technical Education
• any other field that has been identified as high-need by the federal government, state government, or local education agency and that is included in the annual Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide List

NOTE: If you do not meet the requirements of your service obligation, all TEACH Grants you received will be converted to Direct Unsubsidized Loans. You must repay these loans in full, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

To apply

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Complete the TEACH Grant form.
• Complete and sign an Agreement to Serve and TEACH Grant counseling (required annually) at https://studentaid.gov/myDirectLoan/launchTeach.action

Award recipients must attend an eligible Tennessee school, college or university and be enrolled at least half time. You must list the eligible institution as your first choice on your FAFSA.

To be eligible, the applicant must

• complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and
• have a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 5846 or less, and
• be a Tennessee resident, if a dependent student, parents must also be a Tennessee resident, and
• be enrolled at least half time at an eligible Tennessee postsecondary institution, and
• maintain institutional satisfactory academic progress according to the standards and practices of the institution, and
• not be in default on a loan or owe a refund on any grant previously received at any institution, and
• who have not received a baccalaureate degree.

To receive priority consideration, students are strongly encouraged to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after October 1 each year.

Prior-year TSAA recipients (renewal awards) will receive the award if they meet all eligibility requirements and correctly complete the FAFSA on or before February 1. Remaining funds will be awarded to the neediest applicants who did not receive the award the prior year and correctly completed the FAFSA by February 1. Awards are based on the availability of funds and are made until those funds are depleted.

In the Federal Direct Loan program, the US Department of Education will supply the loan funds and service the loans after disbursement. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be completed before applying for a student loan. Federal Stafford Loans are available to eligible undergraduate, graduate, or professional students and may be subsidized or unsubsidized. Repayment of principal is postponed while the student is in school and during a six-month grace period after the student leaves school or drops below half-time hours.

Subsidized Stafford Loans — the federal government pays the interest while the student is in school for at least half time. These loans are based on need.

Unsubsidized Stafford Loans — the interest is not paid for by the government while the student is in school. The interest begins when the loan is issued and will accrue while the student is in school. To minimize the interest debt, it is advisable to pay the interest while going to school.

Current interest rates and other helpful information about Direct Stafford loans

The 3-year cohort default rate for 2014 was published September 2017.

The national average: 11.5%

UT Martin: 9.2%

Loan Limits

The combination of loan(s) and any other aid may not exceed the cost of attendance for the term of the loan. Students are limited to the loan amounts they can borrow in an aid year (fall/spring/summer) and through all their undergraduate and graduate years.

Borrowing limits for full time enrollment is as follows:

Dependent Undergraduates

• Freshmen: $3,500 subsidized/$2,000 unsubsidized ($5500 total)
• Sophomores: $4,500 subsidized/$2,000 Unsubsidized ($6500 total)
• Juniors & Seniors: $5,500 subsidized/$2,000 Unsubsidized ($7500 total)
• Lifetime or Aggregate limit: $31,000 (maximum subsidized is $23,000)

Independent Undergraduates

• Freshmen: $3,500 subsidized/$6,000 unsubsidized ($9500 total)
• Sophomores: $4,500 subsidized/$6,000 Unsubsidized ($10,500 total)
• Juniors & Seniors: $5,500 subsidized/$7,000 Unsubsidized ($12,500 total)
• Lifetime or Aggregate limit: $57,500 (maximum subsidized is $23,000)

Graduate Students

• $20,500 unsubsidized
• Lifetime or Aggregate limit: $138,000 (maximum subsidized is $65,000) and includes the debt incurred as undergraduate.

PLUS (Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students) loans enable parents to borrow the student's cost of attendance minus other aid for each dependent student who is enrolled at least half-time. This loan is in the parent's name and must be applied for by the parent at www.studentaid.gov. UT Martin requires the student to complete the FAFSA before certifying a PLUS loan. The PLUS loan cannot exceed the difference in the student's estimated cost of attendance and what they are already receiving. We will adjust the amount accordingly.

If PLUS is Denied: If a parent is denied by the Department of Education for a PLUS loan, the school will be notified and the student will become eligible for an additional unsubsidized loan at the independent student level. We will send notification of that eligibility to the student and they will need to complete an additional form to request those additional loan amounts.

Grad PLUS loans are loans that are additional loans that are available for graduate students only. They are usually only used after a student has used their maximum eligibility for Stafford loans. They are applied for at www.studentaid.gov. Credit decisions will be sent to UT Martin and we will evaluate your eligibility to receive the loan before putting it on your account. Be sure you have completed a FAFSA and have accepted all the Stafford loan that you are eligible for first.

• Federal regulations require that UT Martin make two disbursements of Stafford and PLUS Loans. First-time Freshmen must wait 30 days after classes begin to receive their first disbursement. All other students will receive their first disbursements on or about the first day of the loan period. The second disbursement will be made on or after the beginning of the second semester for fall/spring loans or when one-half of the loan period has expired for all other loans.
• All other students' first disbursements are scheduled for the 15th day of the fall semester. The second disbursement will be made 15th day of spring semester for fall/spring loans.
• Spring Only Loans: If you were not here in the fall or withdrew (officially or unofficially) in the fall, your loan will be a spring-only loan. If you receive a loan for spring only; those loan funds will also be disbursed in 2 separate disbursements during that one semester. Those disbursements will be made the 15th day of the semester and the mid-point of the semester.
• First-time borrowers must sign a Master Promissory Note and complete Entrance Loan Counseling.
• Summer loans are disbursed in two disbursements. The disbursement dates are the start of Maymester and around the third week of June. You must be attending or have been attending 6 credit hours at the time of disbursement for the loan to disburse as scheduled. If your 6th credit hour is in a session that begins after the disbursement dates, your loan will fully disburse at the beginning of the session in which your 6th credit hour occurs. For clarification on when your summer loan will actually disburse, please contact the financial aid office.

For Direct Subsidized loans

Repayment begins after the grace period expires. The grace period for most borrowers is six months and begins when the student leaves school or falls below half-time hours.

For Direct Unsubsidized loans

Repayment of interest begins immediately, unless the student has chosen to have interest capitalized, which means interest will accrue on the loan until the student leaves school or falls below half-time hours. Repayment of principal and interest begins six months after the student leaves school or falls below half-time hours.

PLUS Loans

Repayment typically begins 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. Parents must check with their lender to obtain information on repayment procedures.

Federal Perkins Loans

• Repayment begins nine months after you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time status.
• You may be allowed up to 10 years to repay your loan. The amount of your payment depends on the size of your debt, but usually you must pay at least $50 per month.
• If you default on a Federal Perkins Loan and the school is unable to collect, it will harm your credit rating and the federal government may take action to recover the loan. You cannot receive further financial aid if you are in default status.
• Certain conditions may make you eligible to apply for a deferment of your Federal Perkins Loan. These conditions include:
  • at least part-time enrollment at a postsecondary school
  • volunteer work in Peace Corps or ACTION Programs or comparable full-time volunteer work for a tax-exempt organization
  • active duty in the U.S. armed forces, Commissioned Corps of U.S. Public Health Service or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Corps
  • temporarily totally disabled or you cannot work because you are caring for a temporarily totally disabled spouse or other dependent
  • working at an eligible internship
  • currently unemployed
  • mother of preschool-age children who is going to work (or back to work) at a salary of no more than $1 over the minimum wage
• Certain conditions may cancel repayment of your Perkins loan. These conditions include:
  • death or a total and permanently disability
  • Cancellation criteria
  • Part of your loan will be canceled for each complete academic year you are a full-time teacher of handicapped children, or for each complete academic year you teach full-time in a designated elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students. In both of these cases, your entire loan will have been cancelled after the fifth consecutive year of teaching. To find out whether the school you are teaching in is a designated school, contact the treasurer's office.
  • Part of your loan will be cancelled for each year of full-time work in specified Head Start programs. After the seventh year, your entire loan will have been cancelled.
  • Up to 70 percent of your loan can be cancelled for service as a Peace Corps or VISTA volunteer--30 percent during the first two years, 40 percent during the next two years. (This deferment applies only to Perkins Loan borrowers, not to National Direct Student Loan [NDSL] borrowers).
  • If you serve as an enlisted person in certain selected specialties of the U.S. Army, the Army Reserves, the Army National Guard, the Department of Defense will, as an enlistment incentive, repay a portion of your loan. If you think you may qualify, contact your recruiting officer.

University of Tennessee at Martin does not have a preferred lenders list. We partner with FastChoice to provide students with information on a variety of lenders in an easy-to-understand format, to help you determine which private student loan best meets your needs. View Private Student and Parent Loans.