UT Tri-Star Overview
UT Tri-Star Scholarship Program
Available To: First-Year, Transfer, Current, & Non-Traditional Students | In-State
Award: Combined with the HOPE Scholarship, these 4-year scholarship awards cover tuition and mandatory fees.
Deadline: December 16, UT Priority FAFSA Filing Date
UT is committed to providing Tennesseans with a high-quality, affordable education at Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university. Our Tri-Star Scholarship program helps in-state students access the Volunteer experience through three scholarships.
Tri-Star Scholarship Overview
Tri-Star Scholarship Award Amounts for In-State Students
| Scholarship | Available To | Amount | FAFSA Deadline | Admission Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UT Promise Scholarship | First-Year, Transfer, Current, & Non-Traditional Students receiving HOPE Scholarship | Tuition & mandatory fees | UT Priority Filing Date | Dec 16 |
| Tennessee Pledge Scholarship | First-time, First-Year, Current, & Transfer Students | Tuition, mandatory fees, average on-campus Housing and Food* | UT Priority Filing Date | Dec 16 |
| Flagship Scholarship | First-time, First-Year, Current, & Transfer Students | Tuition & mandatory fees | UT Priority Filing Date | Dec 16 |
Eligibility and Criteria
UT Promise Scholarship
The UT Promise Scholarship is offered to admitted first-year, transfer, and current students who qualify for the HOPE Scholarship and have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $75,000 per year.
When combined with other federal, state, and institutional aid, this scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees.*
To be eligible, you must:
- Complete the UT Promise Application by December 15
- Be a Tennessee resident
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Be a First-time first-year student, transfer student, current UT student, or nontraditional student
- Submit the FAFSA by UT Priority Filing Date
- Be a recipient of the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
- Maintain an adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $75,000 per year. Adjusted gross income (AGI) is defined as “your or your family’s wages, salaries, interest, dividends, etc., minus certain deductions from income as reported on a federal income tax return. The accurate, verifiable total combined amount of parent and student AGI must be less than $75,000, AND a total maximum asset amount of less than $75,000, as defined on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Complete eight volunteer service hours and participate in mentoring each semester
Tennessee Pledge Scholarship
The Tennessee Pledge Scholarship is offered to admitted first-year students with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of less than $40,000 per year.
When combined with other federal, state, and institutional aid, this four-year scholarship covers direct costs (including tuition, mandatory fees*, and an average of on-campus housing and food expenses).
If you are majoring in architecture, business, engineering, and nursing, you are responsible for college specific course fees, which are not covered by the Pledge Scholarship. A fifth year of scholarship eligibility is available if you initially enroll and maintain enrollment in the architecture degree program.
Transfer students are also eligible for the Pledge Scholarship. Visit the transfer student scholarship page for more information.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a Tennessee resident
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Be a first-time freshman student or transfer student
- Submit the FAFSA by the UT Priority Filing Date each year
- Maintain an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $40,000 or less per year to qualify for the Tennessee Pledge scholarship. Adjusted gross income (AGI) is defined as “your or your family’s wages, salaries, interest, dividends, etc., minus certain deductions from income as reported on a federal income tax return. The accurate, verifiable total combined amount of parent and student AGI must be less than $40,000, AND a total maximum asset amount of less than $40,000, as defined on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- First-year students must submit an admission application by December 16. Transfer students must submit their admission application by each term’s specific deadline. Learn more here
Flagship Scholarship
The Flagship Scholarship is offered to admitted first-year students who graduate from one of 52 designated Flagship high schools across Tennessee.
When combined with the HOPE Scholarship, this scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees* for up to eight (8) semesters.
No separate application is required for this award — it is granted automatically to students who meet all criteria.
To be eligible, you must:
- Be a Tennessee resident
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Be a first-time, first-year student who enters UT in the fall semester immediately following graduation from a designated Tennessee Flagship high school (listed below)
- Submit the FAFSA by the UT Priority Filing Date each year
- Submit your admission application by December 16. Transfer students must submit their application by each term’s specific deadline. Learn more here.
Eligible Tennessee High Schools
| Flagship Schools | Location |
|---|---|
| Antioch High School | Antioch |
| Austin-East High / Magnet | Knoxville |
| Bledsoe County High School | Pikeville |
| Bolivar Central High School | Bolivar |
| Booker T Washington High School | Memphis |
| Brainerd High School | Chattanooga |
| Carver High School | Memphis |
| Cane Ridge High School | Antioch |
| Central High School | Knoxville |
| Central High School | Memphis |
| Clay County High School | Celina |
| Cocke County High School | Newport |
| Cosby High School | Cosby |
| East High School | Memphis |
| East Ridge High School | Chattanooga |
| Fairley High School | Memphis |
| Fayette Ware Comprehensive High School | Somerville |
| Fulton High School | Knoxville |
| Glencliff Comp High School | Nashville |
| Grundy County High School | Coalmont |
| Hamilton High School | Memphis |
| Hancock County High School | Sneedville |
| Howard School of Academics Technology | Chattanooga |
| Invictus Academy at Airways | Memphis |
| Kenwood High School | Clarksville |
| Kingsbury Middle/ High School | Memphis |
| Kirby High School | Memphis |
| Lake County High School | Tiptonville |
| Manassas High School | Memphis |
| Maplewood Comp High School | Nashville |
| Melrose High School | Memphis |
| Middleton High School | Middleton |
| Mitchell Middle/ High School | Memphis |
| Northeast High School | Clarksville |
| Oakhaven Middle/ High School | Memphis |
| Oneida High School | Oneida |
| Overton High School | Memphis |
| Pearl Cohn Magnet High School | Nashville |
| Perry County High School | Linden |
| Raleigh Egypt High School | Memphis |
| Riverside Academy | Ashland City |
| Scott High School | Huntsville |
| Sheffield High School | Memphis |
| Southwind High School | Memphis |
| Stratford STEM Magnet High School | Nashville |
| Trezevant High School | Memphis |
| Tyner Academy | Chattanooga |
| West Creek High School | Clarksville |
| Westwood Middle/ High School | Memphis |
| Whitehaven High School | Memphis |
| Whites Creek Comp High School | Whites Creek |
| Wooddale High School | Memphis |
Flagship Selection Criteria
The Flagship schools designated in 2024 were selected using new criteria prioritizing Economically Disadvantaged regions/high schools and are located in 10 rural counties across Tennessee, furthering the statewide impact and footprint of UT’s Flagship Program.
2024 Flagship schools are located in a Tennessee county qualified as a distressed county in 4 of the last 5 years and have an economically disadvantaged resident population 25% or greater or fulfill at least two of the following three indicators:
- Located in a county with an economically disadvantaged resident population of at least 25%
- Local and state expense per student is 30% or less
- Received Title I Funding
Historically, Flagship partner high schools were selected based on percentage of free and/or reduced lunch, percentage of underserved students (socio-economic status, first generation, etc), and/or designated as “low performing” under No Child Left Behind Legislation (State Scorecard). UT will conduct a statewide review to evaluate new Flagship high school eligibility every 3 years.
* Mandatory fees include a facilities fee, maintenance fee, library fee, student services fee, technology fee, transportation fee, etc. Mandatory fees do not include program of study fees, room and board, book costs or other postsecondary expenses. For more on fees, visit our tuition and fees page or call us at 865-974-1111.
How to Keep Tri-Star Scholarships
UT Promise Retention Requirements
To maintain UT Promise eligibility, you must complete the following requirements:
- Be a full-time, continuously enrolled student
- Maintain the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
- Submit the FAFSA annually by the UT Priority Filing Date
- Complete and submit 8 hours of community service every semester prior to each semester
- Meet with your mentor at least 3 times during the semester to maintain eligibility in the next semester
Tennessee Pledge Retention Requirements
To maintain Tennessee Pledge eligibility, you must complete the following requirements:
- Submit the FAFSA annually by the UT Priority Filing Date
- Maintain a family household income of $60,000 or less per year
- Family income combines the parent adjusted gross income with untaxed income such as alimony, child support, Social Security income, and other forms of untaxed income reported on the FAFSA
- Additional family resources, including assets, will also be considered when determining eligibility for the Pledge Scholarship.
- Maintain 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Maintain required minimum eligibility for all awarded institutional, federal, and state funds
- Maintain continuous full-time enrollment
Flagship Scholarship Retention Requirements
To maintain Flagship eligibility, you must complete the following requirements:
- Submit the FAFSA annually by the UT Priority Filing Date
- Maintain 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Maintain continuous full-time enrollment
UT Tri-Star Scholarship FAQs
How does the UT Promise Scholarship combine with other scholarships?
The UT Promise Scholarship is a last-dollar award to help you with tuition and mandatory fees. The amount is calculated once your eligibility for other grants and scholarships is confirmed.
If you receive the UT Promise scholarship, you can still qualify for other UT-funded Scholarships such as the Volunteer, Orange & White, Flagship, and the UT Provost Scholarship. The UT Promise award amount will be applied after confirming eligibility for all grants and other scholarships.
How does the Tennessee Pledge Scholarship combine with other scholarships?
The Pledge Scholarship is a last-dollar award. The amount is calculated once your eligibility for other grants and scholarships is confirmed.
If you receive the Tennessee Pledge scholarship, you can still qualify for other UT-funded Scholarships such as the Volunteer, Orange & White, Flagship, and the UT Provost Scholarship.
The Pledge amount will be applied after confirming eligibility for all grants and other scholarships.
How does the Flagship Scholarship combine with other scholarships?
Flagship Scholars may qualify for other UT Scholarships, such as the Volunteer, Orange & White, UT Provost Scholarship, Pledge, or TN Connect. If your combination exceeds UT’s allowable award maximums, your award amounts may be adjusted. The Flagship Scholarship does not combine with the Distinguished Tennessean Scholarship Award.
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