Scholarships
Apply Early. Apply often.
Unique, like you. We have a collection of competitive scholarships with a wide range of criteria. And the best part? They don’t have to be repaid!
UTC scholarship funds are limited and the awarding process is competitive. That means, even though you meet all eligibility requirements, you still might not be awarded a scholarship. The best way to improve your chances is to always submit all required materials as soon as possible.
To be considered for UTC Scholarship funds, all accepted students must complete the UTC Online Scholarship Application.
Applying for Scholarships at UTC
Our 2025-26 UTC Online Application is now open for all admitted students! Check out our Dates & Deadlines and Frequently Asked Questions links for general information.
This will be the ONLY application needed for incoming Fall'25 high school seniors to be considered for our Institutional Renewable Merit Scholarships - the UTC Chancellor's, Provost's, Mocs, & Academic Service Scholarships. We will also use this application to award incoming Fall'25 Transfer students our UTC Transfer Scholarship.
Additionally, the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will use this application to award some of UTC's endowed scholarships. Students are encouraged to inquire with the department of study for any scholarships they may offer.
Get a little guidance on how to apply. To access this tutorial, you must be Fully Accepted by Admissions AND already Activated Your Account though!
Note: Any scholarship listed that directs you to a departmental website requires a separate application. Use the link provided to contact the specific department to learn more about the application process.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) traditionally opens every Oct. 1 for the next academic year. For the 2025-26 academic year, it's anticipated to open By December 1st. For more information on federal/state financial aid, specifically UTC's Steps to Apply, follow these steps.
Types of Scholarships
Institutional Renewable Merit Scholarships
These awards are funded by UTC and other sources. Primary awards include:
- Chancellor's Scholarship
- Provost's Scholarship
- Mocs Scholarship
- Academic Service Scholarship
- Transfer Scholarship
Endowed Scholarships
These awards are generously provided to our students through private donations to UTC. Many scholarships are available to students based on various criteria including, but not limited to, financial need, major, grade point average, community or campus based activities and student classification. A list and brief description of these endowed scholarships are available through the Search UTC Scholarships link below.
Learn more and search UTC Scholarships →
Departmental Scholarships
The different departments on campus have various scholarships they award throughout the year. A list and brief description of these departmental scholarships are available through the Search UTC Scholarships link, including contact information for each respective department.
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
The TN HOPE Scholarship, also known as the Lottery Scholarship, is funded by the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program.
TN HOPE Scholarship amounts vary, depending on which awards you are eligible for, when you first began receiving the award and your grade level.
To receive TN HOPE Scholarship funding, you must file the FAFSA each year. The deadline for fall semester TN HOPE awards is September 1 of each academic year, but we trust you would not wait to file.
Traditional TN HOPE Scholarship
- Available for graduating high school seniors who meet minimum eligibility requirements.
- Once your receive the award, you must continue to meet the minimum requirements to maintain the scholarship.
Provisional Method TN HOPE Scholarship (TN HOPE 2nd Ruling)
The Provisional Method TN HOPE Scholarship, also known as 'TN HOPE 2nd Ruling,' is an award for students who cross the 72 hour (or above) checkpoints with the following GPA status:
- TN HOPE cumulative GPA between 2.75-2.99 AND TN HOPE semester GPA of 3.0
Students will be notified if they are awarded the Provisional Method TN HOPE via UTC email. There are additional requirements for receiving this scholarship, so we encourage reading emails entirely to understand what is required.
TN HOPE Aspire Supplemental Award
The Aspire Award is a need-based supplemental award.
Student's receiving the Traditional or Provisional Method TN HOPE Scholarship may qualify for the TN HOPE Aspire award if they meet the following criteria.
- Parent or independent student (and spouse) adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less
*This award cannot be combined with the General Assembly Merit Scholarship.
TN HOPE General Assembly Merit Award
The General Assembly Merit Award (GAMS) is a merit-based supplemental award offered by the program. High school seniors receiving the Traditional TN HOPE Scholarship may qualify for GAMS by meeting the following criteria. Note: Since the final high school GPA isn't typically reported by the school to the state until early/mid-June, students generally won't see a the TN HOPE GAM awarded until early July.
- Entering freshmen who have graduated from a Tennessee public school or category 1,2,3 private school must have minimum 3.75 weighted GPA AND a 29 ACT score (1330 SAT)
- A Home school graduate must, in addition to meeting the TN HOPE scholarship requirements, during the course of a home school program
- Achieve a 29 Composite score or above, on a national test date for the ACT test or a 1330 (math plus critical reading scores only) or above, on a national test date for the SAT test for GAMS consideration; AND
- Enroll in at least four dual enrollment courses totaling at least 12 semester hours at an eligible postsecondary institution and achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0; OR
- Participate in a Governor’s School program, and achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0; OR
- Take two Advanced Placement (AP) exams and make a score of at least three; OR
- Take one College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) test and make a score of at least 55
- Achieve a 29 Composite score or above, on a national test date for the ACT test or a 1330 (math plus critical reading scores only) or above, on a national test date for the SAT test for GAMS consideration; AND
More detailed information about the GAM Award is found online with the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation.
Students must be eligible directly after high school to receive this award.
*This award cannot be combined with the TN HOPE Aspire Supplemental Award.
*If a student is eligible for both the TN HOPE Aspire Award and GAMS, they will be paid TN HOPE Aspire as it is the higher amount.
Non-Traditional TN HOPE Scholarship
The Non-Traditional TN HOPE Scholarship is available to students who meet all of the following criteria.
- Student must-
- Be an independent student as determined on the FAFSA application and enroll in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible four-year postsecondary institution; OR
- Enroll in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible four-year postsecondary institution on or after August 1, 2018 while maintaining continuous enrollment following the completion of an associate degree as a TN Reconnect recipient.
- Student must be continuously enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution in every fall and spring term.
- Student must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Student must be classified as a TN resident and admitted as In-state by UTC Admissions.
- Student's adjusted gross income (combined with spouse, if applicable) is $36,000 or less as determined by the FAFSA for the academic year awarded.
- Student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 after 12 *attempted semester hours (or required GPA at subsequent benchmark). *Note - Attempted hours and college grades prior to re-enrollment at an eligible postsecondary institution are not considered.
- A non-traditional student must be enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program while maintaining continuous enrollment. Failure to remain in a baccalaureate degree program will result in a permanent loss of eligibility.
- Except for an approved leave of absence, recipients enrolled at four-year eligible postsecondary institutions must remain continuously enrolled as Non-Traditional TN HOPE students. Switching to an associate degree program will constitute a permanent loss of the Non-Traditional TN HOPE Scholarship.
- A non-traditional student shall not be eligible for the TN HOPE's Aspire Award or the General Assembly Merit Award.
Outside Scholarships
Students are encouraged to apply for any outside scholarships that are available through different towns, civic organizations or companies.
Learn more about outside scholarship resources →
Good to know:
- The application and eligibility process is determined by the organization/donor.
- Generally, these funds will be sent directly to UTC rather than to you. Often, donors will send the scholarship check to the student, paid to the order of UTC.
- Unless otherwise noted by the donor, our office reserves the right to distribute funds in the student's best interest.
- All scholarships (state, institutional/departmental and private outside) are considered in your total financial aid package and may result in a reduction of other financial aid awarded.
If you receive an outside scholarship check, forward it to the following address along with all award correspondence from the donor. Include your UTC student ID on the check.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, Dept #4805,
615 McCallie Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37403