UT Promise

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, Memphis and Pulaski. Launched 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 as the Federal Pell Grant, TN HOPE Scholarship, TN TSAA Award and/or other institutional scholarships) to students who qualify for the TN HOPE Scholarship and whose family income is under $60,000 per year as determined by the FAFSA.

Starting in Fall 2024, UT Promise will increase the family income threshold to $75,000 a year based on adjusted gross income. In addition to the adjustment to the income level, UT Promise will also guarantee a minimum $500 award, per semester, for qualifying students. These scholarship program enhancements represent additional steps taken by the University to decrease students’ cost to attend the UT school of their choice while also incentivizing program engagement.

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

Community Service Definition and Guidelines

Community Service is the “hands-on” time spent engaging in action to meet the needs of others to improve, support and enhance the UTC or surrounding communities as a whole, helping to foster social change.

Community Service Guidelines:

• Benefiting organizations must be recognized as a non-profit or cause-based. The service provided cannot financially benefit an on-campus student organization, campus athletic team, or an associated student leader with the entity.
• Self-directed projects without the oversight of a supporting community organization, such as trash pick-up or recycling; helping an elderly neighbor with yard-work; baby-sitting/pet-setting or tutoring for a private individual or entity; do not qualify as community service hours.
• Community Service hours associated with an academic course, academic requirements, conduct sanctions, or criminal proceedings would not normally count as service hours.
• Any events or meetings related to planning or executing a community service initiative do not qualify as community service hours.
• Community Service hours cannot be compensated.
• Only the hours spent directly engaging in service during volunteer trips qualify as community service hours, but not any time associated with travel to/from the site, breaks, socializing, or overnight accommodations.
• Helping with set-up/tear-down for an event would be considered community service, but assisting with sign-in/participation management prior to an event would not be considered community service.
• Religious education (i.e. teaching or tutoring) or volunteering at a place of worship count as community service hours, but not events (i.e. tabling) that involve direct religious persuasion and/or fundraising.
• Bi-partisan political activities, such as working a voter registration drive on or off campus, can be considered community service hours.
• Volunteering for specific on-campus events or programs, such as Operation Move-In and at Scrappy’s Cupboard, may be considered community service. 
   

Service Agencies, Campus Organizations, and Events

The below link contains a list of opportunities where volunteers are frequently needed. These agencies and organizations rely on the continuous involvement of community members. Students are reminded that they are always representing UTC while volunteering, regardless of location. Students are encouraged to learn/touch base with the site before volunteering to be aware of expectations (i.e. completing an application, dress code, etc.) and to determine if it is an appropriate fit.

Click here to view UTC Community Service Agencies, Campus Events and Organizations List

 

Community Service Tracking through Give Pulse

To count for Fall - service hours must be completed between Dec2 & June1, then must be submitted by *June1; 

To count for Spring - service hours must be completed between June2 & Dec1, then must be submitted by Dec1.

Please begin by reviewing our tutorial, then you're ready to submit your hours as needed! 

*This deadline was previously July1 and was changed to more closely align with the end of Spring semester.

 

Additionally, coordinate with your mentor to also ensure that you complete a minimum of three (3) mentor meetings by June1 and Dec1, respectively! Your Mentor is responsible for reporting the completion of your mentor meetings!

Any specific questions regarding the community service definition (i.e. what activity, events, or initiatives meet the above regulations), opportunities, or the Give Pulse app itself should be directed to the UTC Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships ([email protected]).