Distinguished Tennessean Award
About This Scholarship
Available To: First-Year, Current; In-State
Award: Tuition & Mandatory Fees; 4-year award
Deadline: November 1
This prestigious scholarship is awarded to one student in each of the 95 Tennessee counties. Our Distinguished Tennesseans embody academic preparedness, community involvement, and a passion for the Volunteer spirit.
Distinguished Tennessean Overview
The Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship Award was established in 2022 as part of UT’s continued commitment to providing Tennessee students with access to an affordable, valuable education shaped by a rich student experience. This award recognizes students with exceptional academic performance and demonstrated engagement in their community. A top scholar from each of Tennessee’s 95 counties will be awarded this scholarship.
Award Amounts
This scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees and is renewable for four years.
As a lifelong Tennessean and a proud Volunteer, the University of Tennessee was my dream school from the time I could distinguish the color orange. The Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship Award will allow me to focus more on my coursework, making friends, and enjoying this chapter of my life without the worry of using all of the financial resources available.
Delaney Turner
Macon County, TN
Eligibility and Criteria
Admitted first-year, in-state students who apply by December 16 will be automatically considered for this award. To receive priority consideration, you should apply for admission by November 1 of your senior year of high school.
To be eligible, you must:
- Have a minimum 3.2 UT core weighted GPA
- Matriculate the fall semester immediately following your graduation from a US high school
- Be a US citizen, permanent resident, or domestic international student to be considered
Recipients will be selected based on a holistic review of their admissions application and supplemental materials.
Meet Recent Recipients
“This scholarship means everything to me. I’ve been dreaming about getting a scholarship like this since I was in elementary school. It feels like all my hard work and dedication in high school has finally paid off.”
DELANEY JACKSON Jefferson County, TN
“I am extremely blessed to receive this scholarship. UT has always been my dream school, but receiving the Distinguished Tennessean scholarship definitely made it that much more desirable!”
ALLIE AMONETT
Pickett County, TN
“Receiving the Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship means the world to me. It means that there is a group of people who believe in me not only as a college student but also as a person.”
DENNIS HARDEE
Lauderdale County, TN
How to Apply
Admitted first-year, in-state students who apply by December 16 will be automatically considered for this award. To receive priority consideration, you should apply for admission by November 1 of your senior year of high school.
How to Keep the Distinguished Tennessean Award
In order to retain this scholarship, you must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA, federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and full-time enrollment each semester.
Distinguished Tennessean Award FAQs
How does this combine with other scholarships?
This scholarship can be combined with Pledge, Tennessee Connect, or HOPE to help cover the cost of housing, food, and other expenses. This award cannot be combined with other institutional merit scholarships, such as Volunteer, Orange & White, and Provost. It also cannot be combined with Flagship Scholarship.
Are recommendation letters required to be eligible for this scholarship?
Recommendation letters for this award (academic, professional, or personal) are encouraged. Please email recommendations to the appropriate UT Admissions Counselor, with the subject line “Distinguished Tennessean Recommendation for <<insert student name>>.”
