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.
Distinguished Tennessean Overview
The Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship 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.
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.
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.
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
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>>.”
