ESL Scholarships

Scholarship Award of Up to $2,500 a Semester

for First-Time International ESL Students

How can I apply for the scholarship?

You can only apply for this scholarship after you have been fully accepted to the ESL Program and have received your acceptance letter with UTC ID.

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STEP 1: Complete your ESL Program application, pay the $30 application fee, and provide all required documents. Receive your acceptance letter and UTCID.

STEP 2: Complete the “Why UTC?” project. See below for more details.

STEP 3: Submit your online Scholarship Application Form.

STEP 4: All submissions will undergo a review process. If you are selected, you will receive a scholarship to help you pay your tuition and university fees. The scholarship will be deposited into your student account.

 

The ESL Institute will appoint a selection committee that will review the applications. The submissions will be evaluated based on the application content and whether eligibility requirements have been filled. The following factors may be taken into consideration: Oxford Online Placement Test result, on-campus residency, Go Global Themed Living Community membership, and your “Why UTC?” project.

Please note that steps 1, 2 and 3 need to be completed in order for your scholarship application to be reviewed. Funds are subject to availability, and the ESL Institute reserves the right to suspend the scholarship program at any time.

 

Who is eligible to receive the scholarship?

• International students who have completed their ESL Program application at UTC and have received an acceptance letter with a UTC ID are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
• UTC defines international students as F1 visa applicants/holders.
• International students who are currently recipients of other scholarships are NOT eligible for this scholarship.
• Students whose records indicate Code of Conduct violations or Honor Code violations will NOT be eligible to receive the scholarship.
• During their first semester at UTC, students must participate in extra-curricular activities organized by the ESL Institute or the Center for Global Education and provide either a multi-media or a written report by the end of the semester. The activities may include International Tea Time, Global Spotlight, International Education Week, International Buddy program events, field trips, etc. Details of the assignment will be announced in the award letter.

 

“Why UTC?” Project

As part of your scholarship application, you must complete one of the following projects: 1) record a 3-minute video, 2) create a short presentation, 3) write an essay between 500 and 750 words in length, 4) create a short animation or 5) create a poster to explain why you selected the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Alternatively, you can also provide evidence of other extraordinary achievements. 

If you choose to create multi-media content, you will be asked to provide a link to it in the scholarship application. You will have to publish your content online first (e.g. youtube.com, youku.com, etc.). You will not be able to upload your content in the application portal.  

If you require accommodations to complete this project, please email us at [email protected].

 

Timeline

• Scholarship applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and are processed at the discretion of the ESL Institute. Please email us at [email protected] if you have submitted the application form.  
• Please communicate with the ESL Institute to find out when you may receive your award letter.

Since funding is limited, consideration will only be given to students entering UTC in the fall semester.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the scholarship?

The scholarship is up to $2,500 per semester. The scholarship is not renewable.

When is the deadline to submit the scholarship application?

The deadline to submit the scholarship application is July 1.

How will I get the scholarship?

The scholarship will be applied to your UTC account when you register for ESL classes. The money will be used to help you pay your tuition and university fees.  You will still be responsible for any other tuition, university, housing or meal plan fees that will not be covered by your scholarship.

How will the scholarship recipients be announced?

Scholarship recipients will receive a notification email and an award letter.

I have some questions. Who should I contact?

Please email [email protected], and we’ll be happy to answer your questions.

 

Other Terms and Conditions

All scholarships are subject to change based on funding availability and are awarded at the discretion of the ESL Institute at UTC.

The scholarship will be placed in the student's account and be used to pay off their fees. The scholarship recipient is responsible for all other charges including tuition, university fees, health insurance, housing or meal plan charges if applicable.

By submitting the scholarship application, the student gives permission to UTC to publish in print, electronic and video format their likeness, the digital material submitted as part of their application, their name or image in publicity materials. The student gives their consent for photographing, filming, audio/videotaping, and/or direct transmission of television signals of their image and voice, and releases to The University of Tennessee all rights of any kind to the materials in which they appear. 

Further, they acknowledge that their name and biographical material, portrait, picture, likeness, or voice may be used for purposes consistent with The University of Tennessee’s mission of teaching, research and service, including the promotion and publicizing of the materials in which their image/voice appear.  Such uses as may be made will not constitute a direct endorsement by the student of any product or service.