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Scholarships
- Scholarships Find out how to get scholarship money for college that you don’t need to pay back.
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Scholarships
Top Tennessee scholarships for you
Find Tennessee scholarships that can help you pay for college.
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What are Tennessee scholarships?
Tennessee scholarships are financial aid for college created specifically for students living in Tennessee or looking to go to school in Tennessee. Tennessee scholarships can help students attain higher education opportunities that otherwise may be out of reach due to financial reasons. All scholarships are free money for college that you don’t have to pay back.
Eligibility requirements for Tennessee scholarships
Before you apply for Tennessee scholarships, make sure you check the eligibility requirements. To qualify for Tennessee scholarships, you’ll most likely need to prove you’re a resident or you’re attending school in that state. Some other common eligibility requirements may include your GPA, community service, citizenship, plan to attend an accredited program, leadership potential, and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). Scholarship eligibility requirements vary, so don’t assume you won’t qualify. Check them out!
Are Tennessee scholarships worth my time?
Some scholarships are quick and easy to apply for. Others require time and effort. Typically, fewer students apply to scholarships that require work which means you could have better odds of winning.
Pro tip: Don’t skip over Tennessee scholarships with smaller award amounts ($). There’s typically less competition for them—and they add up!
How do I find Tennessee scholarships?
There are many resources to help you find Tennessee scholarships.
Scholarship resources
- The financial aid office at a college or career school
- Organizations (such as professional associations) related to your field of interest
- Federal agencies
- Free scholarship search tools like Scholly Scholarships
- Local libraries, businesses, or associations
Your high school guidance office is a great place to start when looking for local scholarships. You could also try doing a search for your city’s name and “community foundation,” or the county you live in and “foundation.”
Scholly Scholarships
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Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.
Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.
Scholarships for Tennessee
Dora Maclellan Brown Ministry Scholarships
Due: 2/15/2025
No min. GPA Required
Amount Varies
The Dora Maclellan Brown Ministry Scholarships are one of the most unique in the country. These scholarships will be awarded to students from the greater Chattanooga area who are theologically and biblically conservative, and who are seeking to continue their education in Christian service work at a theological seminary, Bible college, or graduate school. Specifically, the student will be focusing on classes or master's degrees that will prepare them for vocational Christian service work. This includes Master's of Divinity, Master's of Theology, master's degree in biblical counseling, missions, worship music or other fields for Christian service work. It also includes students who are participating in continuing education to assist in their bi-vocational Christian service work. The committee does not consider applications for doctoral programs. Applicants must submit three references: an academic reference from someone who knows you as a student and how you work in an educational setting; a church reference from someone from your local church staff who can speak to your gifts and your call to vocational ministry; and a personal reference from someone who knows you, truly knows you, and can speak to you as a person. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information about the scholarship and the required materials, especially the essays required.
Minority Teaching Fellows Program
Due: 4/15/2025
$5,000
The Minority Teaching Fellows Program is intended to encourage talented minority Tennesseans to enter the teaching field in Tennessee. The award is $5,000 per year for students who pursue a teacher certification at an eligible Tennessee college or university.
Ned McWherter Scholars Program
Due: 2/15/2025
No Essays
No Recommendations Required
$6,000
The Ned McWherter Scholars Program is intended to encourage academically superior Tennessee high school graduates to attend college in Tennessee. Tennessee high school seniors starting their last semester in high school may apply.
TSAA
Due: Varies
No Essays
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
$4,000
The Tennessee Student Assistance Award Program (TSAA) was established to provide non-repayable financial assistance to financially-needy undergraduate students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment, at least half-time, at a public or an eligible non-public postsecondary institution. Students at four-year or two-year private institutions, four-year and two-year public institutions, career schools, and at the TN College of Applied Technology are eligible. Students must also have a valid Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 5846 or less; maintain institutional satisfactory academic progress according to the standards and practices of the institution; not be in default on a loan or owe a refund on any grant previously received at any institution; and have not received a baccalaureate degree. First priority is given to U.S. citizens. Please visit the scholarship's website for more information.
National Association of Junior Auxiliaries Graduate Scholars
Due: 2/1/2025
No Essays
No min. GPA Required
No Recommendations Required
No Transcripts Required
Amount Varies
To apply for NAJA Scholarships, applicants must be working or planning to work directly with children. Applicants must be pursuing studies for one year in fields which address the special needs of children and youth. This includes, but is not limited to, Counseling, Psychology, Mental Health, Special Education, Speech Pathology, Exceptional Children, Remedial Skills Development, Hearing Impaired, and Gifted & Talented. Scholarships are not awarded for graduate work in administration or general education. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, Inc. for more information.
Tennessee Teaching Scholars Program
Due: 4/15/2025
No Essays
$5,000
The Tennessee Teaching Scholars Program applicants should be enrolled full-time as an undergraduate student or at least half-time as a graduate student enrolled in a teacher education program
Swayze Woodruff Memorial Mid-South Scholarship
Due: 1/15/2025
No Essays
No min. GPA Required
Amount Varies
The Swayze Woodruff Memorial Mid-South Scholarship will be awarded to ideal candidates who have been a member of AQHYA or AQHA for at least one year, who are from eligible states, and who compete in AQHA-approved shows. Students must apply during their senior year of high school or while enrolled at an accredited college or university. Current or previous AQHF scholarship recipients are not eligible to receive this scholarship. Funding for this scholarship will be applied to a four-year undergraduate degree program of the student's choice. Three reference letters or appraisal forms must be submitted. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the American Quarter Horse Foundation for more information.
Helen James Brewer Scholarship
Due: 4/15/2025
Amount Varies
The Helen James Brewer Scholarship will be awarded to a student who must be enrolled in the study of English history and literature or Southern history and literature and must be a member or former member of the CofC or a member of the UDC who resides in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Virginia. Undergraduate scholarships are available either until the student completes the degree or a maximum of 4 years, whichever comes first. Applicants must be the lineal (direct) descendant of an eligible Confederate (that is, one who served honorably in the Confederate Army, Navy, or Civil Service or who gave Material Aid to the Cause). Only members of UDC or CofC may apply on the record of collateral ancestors. Applicants must be endorsed by the Chapter President and the Chapter Second Vice President, Division President and by the Division Second Vice President. GED and recent SAT/ACT scores will be accepted without GPA if the applicant is not a high school graduate. Applicants must attend college or university in the United States. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the United Daughters of the Confederacy for more information about the scholarship and the application process.
Theodore Mazza Scholarship
Due: 4/15/2025
No Transcripts Required
$6,000
The UNICO Foundation will award the Theodore Mazza Scholarship to high school seniors at any public or private secondary school who will be attending an accredited campus-based college or university program in the United States. The scholarship will be paid out for up to a maximum of 4 years. Online degree programs are not eligible for UNICO scholarships. Applicants must be of Italian descent. They must have at least one parent of Italian heritage. Documented and notarized proof may be requested by the selection committee, if necessary. Applicants must also reside in or have a UNICO Chapter or District sponsor from one of the eligible states. Please visit the scholarship's website or contact the UNICO Foundation Inc. for more information.
What types of scholarships are available for students?
Need-based scholarships
These are scholarships for students who have demonstrated a financial need. There’s no universal number or set income level that tells you if you qualify. How each scholarship defines what financial need means varies. The federal government as well as specific organizations, corporations, and colleges/universities/schools offer need-based scholarships.
Merit scholarships
Merit scholarships are for students who have shown high academic, athletic, or extracurricular achievement over their high school careers. Not all schools/colleges offer merit-aid—highly selective schools typically don’t. The process for applying for merit scholarships varies. For merit scholarships offered through colleges and universities, you generally don’t have to do anything other than complete the application to the school itself. For some schools, you need to submit the FAFSA® to be eligible.
Career-specific grants or scholarships
These are awarded to students who know they want a career in a specific industry. Maybe they know they want to be a teacher, a nurse, or an engineer. To be eligible for grants, students must submit the FAFSA®. To find career-specific scholarships, try searching for your major and “association.”
Community or nonprofit scholarships
Nonprofit and community organizations often receive funding from donors to create scholarship programs for students who need them.
Tips for successful scholarship applications
- Pull together everything you need for the application including transcripts, so you can submit a complete scholarship application.
- You may need a recommendation letter or letters for a scholarship. Ask a teacher, employer, or someone else who knows you to write one for you—and be sure to give them enough time to do it.
- If you’re writing a scholarship essay, follow the prompt, answer the essay question completely, and write from your experience. A few well-written essays that you can reuse for different scholarship applications can really pay off.
- Highlight your strengths and achievements in your application.
- Talk about your financial need and what you would use the scholarship money for if you won. How would it help?
- Have to interview for a scholarship? Dress to impress in a professional outfit. And do your research! Look into how/why the scholarship was created. Try to bring up why it’s meaningful to you. Also, don’t forget to send a thank-you note afterwards.
- Keep track of all the deadlines for the scholarships you’re applying to. If you miss one, they may not extend the due date.
- Apply for scholarships year after year, all through college. As you continue your studies, gain more experience, and try new extracurricular activities in college, you might be eligible for more scholarships you weren’t originally qualified for.
Here are more tips that can help you understand all there is to know about scholarships and up your chances of winning.
Frequently asked questions
These tips can help as you get ready to apply for Tennessee scholarships.
When are scholarship application deadlines?
There’s no standard deadline for scholarship applications. Each scholarship has its own deadline, so be sure to keep track of dates and make sure you don’t miss any deadlines of scholarships that you want to apply to.
Do you need to know which college you’re attending?
You don’t need to know which college you’re going to attend before applying for most scholarships. However, once you’re awarded scholarships, some of them may ask for eligibility verification—which can include proof of college enrollment.
Is there a limit on how many scholarships you can apply for?
Absolutely not, so apply for as many as you can to increase your chances of winning free money. Want to find more types of scholarships? There are so many, check them out!
Pro tip: Apply for scholarships each year you’re in college.
Does every scholarship application require an essay?
Not every scholarship will ask you to submit an essay—different scholarships have different requirements. If you’re applying for a scholarship with an essay and need help writing yours, get tips for writing scholarship essays.
Need more money for college?
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More resources to explore
Tips for writing scholarship essays
Get tips for writing scholarship essays. Learn what makes a good scholarship essay.
Find scholarship resources
Explore our scholarship resources, articles, and guide to get all the tips and tricks to help pay for college.
Fill out the FAFSA®
Learn when and how to apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to maximize your chances of getting federal student financial aid. Get tips now.
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