✅ Scholarships at University of Tennessee, Knoxville
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- Real costs: tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit awards and who usually qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth chasing
- Honors perks and how to stack awards smartly
College is pricey—but UT Knoxville gives families real options. In-state students often rely on Tennessee’s HOPE scholarship, while out-of-state families can get big breaks through Volunteer, Orange & White, or Flagship awards. This page breaks it all down in plain English—no guesswork, no fine print.
💡 Don’t forget: Tennessee offers statewide scholarships and grants (like HOPE and Promise). See what your kid may qualify for on our Tennessee state aid page →
💰 Cost of Attendance (2025–26)
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $13,812 | $33,256 |
| Housing & Meals | $13,356 | $13,356 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,598 | $1,598 |
| Estimated Total | ~$35,064 | ~$54,508 |
- Average Net Price (UTK): ≈ $21,880/year
- % Receiving Aid: ~94% of full-time undergrads
- Average Aid Awarded: ~$13,600/year
Most TN students qualify for the HOPE scholarship. Out-of-state students may snag Volunteer, Orange & White, or Flagship awards that cut tuition sharply.
Run UTK’s Net Price Calculator to estimate your family’s real cost.
🌎 Regional Waivers & Reciprocity: UTK participates in the Academic Common Market for graduate programs, letting students from partner SREB states study approved majors at in-state rates when certified by their home state. Some border-county/nearby-state students may also qualify for tuition discounts through UT regional programs and merit awards.
Undergraduate ACM update: Beginning Spring 2025, UTK no longer accepts new undergraduate ACM certifications. Previously certified undergraduates are grandfathered as long as they remain continuously enrolled and do not change majors.
UTK’s **Volunteer Scholarship** automatically awards up to **$18,000/year** for high-achieving non-resident students—enough to cut your tuition nearly in half.
You must have a **weighted core GPA of 3.8 or higher** and meet the following superscored ACT or SAT benchmarks:
| ACT | SAT | Annual Award |
|---|---|---|
| 34–36 | 1490–1600 | $18,000 |
| 30–33 | 1360–1480 | $13,000 |
| 28–29 | 1300–1350 | $8,000 |
No separate scholarship application required—just apply for admission by your deadline, and submit test scores by July 1.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships at University of Tennessee, Knoxville
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility (with Tests) | Eligibility (Test-Optional) | Separate App? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential | $11,000 / year | GPA ≥ 3.8 + ACT 34–36 (SAT 1490–1600, superscore) | N/A | No | Top admitted students (only a small share qualify) |
| Founders | $9,000 / year | GPA ≥ 3.8 + ACT 30–33 (SAT 1360–1480) | N/A | No | High GPA and near-top test scorers |
| Charter | $7,000 / year | GPA ≥ 3.8 + ACT 28–29 (SAT 1300–1350) | N/A | No | Solid academics, mid-high testers |
| Heritage | $5,000 / year | GPA ≥ 3.8 + ACT 26–27 (SAT 1230–1290) | N/A | No | Students above average but not in top testing tiers |
Note: GPA and test cutoffs are approximate and based on UTK’s published criteria plus past student data. Exact thresholds can shift depending on the applicant pool and funding for that year.
Automatic Merit FAQs
Do I need to apply separately?
No. These are tied to your admission application.
Does UTK superscore?
Yes, they use your best ACT/SAT section scores.
Are these renewable?
Yes, up to 8 semesters with required GPA and full-time status.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
Deadlines: Most competitive scholarships are due November 1 (Haslam, Chancellor’s, Distinguished Tennessean). Some extend to December 16 (Provost, Tri-Star, UT Promise). International applicants (Global Ambassador) have a May 1 deadline.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Scholarship | $5,000–$10,000 | Top 10% of class, 30+ ACT, strong leadership & service | Yes | Yes | High achievers with strong essays; not guaranteed even with stats |
| Haslam Scholars Program | Full tuition + study abroad + $5,000 enrichment | Top 1–2% students; leadership, essays, and interview required | Yes | Yes | Extremely selective (15–20 students nationwide) |
| Distinguished Tennessean | Full in-state tuition & fees | One student per Tennessee county | Yes | Yes | Awarded county-by-county; odds depend on applicant pool |
| Global Ambassador | $10,000–$15,000/year | International students with 3.0+ GPA | Yes | Yes | Competitive among international applicants with strong involvement |
| Provost Scholarship | $2,000/year | Strong academic record; auto-considered | No | Yes | Many admitted students receive this, but not all |
| Tennessee Explore (Tri-Star) | Covers tuition + fees (with HOPE) | In-state students eligible for Tri-Star programs | No | Yes | Most in-state students who meet Tri-Star HOPE eligibility |
| UT Promise / Pledge | Full tuition + housing + meal offset | In-state, low-income students (Pell eligible) | No | Yes | Broad support for qualifying low-income Tennesseans |
Note: Haslam Scholars is the only program that approaches a “full ride.” Other awards reduce tuition but may not cover housing and personal costs.
❓ Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Does UTK use superscores for competitive scholarships?
Yes, UTK uses superscored ACT/SAT results for both automatic and competitive awards.
Is the Haslam Scholars Program a full ride?
Not fully—covers tuition, enrichment stipend, and study abroad, but not room & board.
Can these stack with Volunteer Awards?
Sometimes. Haslam/Chancellor’s may replace auto merit; Provost and smaller awards often stack.
How competitive are these really?
Haslam is extremely selective (15–20 winners). Chancellor’s is more attainable but still selective. Apply early and use essays/recs to stand out.
⭐ What UT Knoxville Is Known For
UT Knoxville is a proud R1 research university — meaning “very high research activity” — a distinction it’s held since 1973. It consistently ranks among the best public institutions in the Southeast and beyond.
UT’s graduate supply chain program is ranked #1 in North America, and the undergraduate version is #2 in North America — a school-wide standout.
Other standout programs include:
- Engineering (Tennessee Engineering doctoral departments) — strong reputation, ranked in top 70 among U.S. undergraduate engineering schools.
- Nuclear Engineering (College of Engineering) — nationally ranked #3 in the U.S. and #2 among public universities.
- Law – Advocacy Clinic — one of the longest-running in the nation, ranked #10 among public schools.
- Clinical Programs in Nursing, Communication & Education — recognized among the nation’s best graduate offerings.
- Agricultural & Veterinary Sciences — UT’s Institute of Agriculture includes hands-on experiences like the UT Creamery and real-world labs.
- Athletics — Vols have national presence across sports: Women’s basketball, baseball (2024 champion), and softball regularly compete on the biggest stages.
🎓 UT Knoxville — Honors & Scholars
UTK’s honors umbrella is called Honors & Scholars and includes the flagship Haslam Scholars Program plus the 1794 Scholars Program and the Honors Leadership Program. Students apply for honors on the UT application and complete short program essays.
| Scholarship / Program | Award Amount | Eligibility (plain English) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haslam Scholars Program (HSP) | Full in‑state tuition & fees + study abroad + $5,000 enrichment (package) | Top academics; leadership/service; essays & interview; apply by Nov 1 | ✅ | ✅ (4 yrs; keep standing) | National cohort of ~15–20 students with 3.9+ rigor, ACT 33+/SAT 1490+ typical, standout leadership/story |
| University Honors Grants (for 1794 & HLP too) | $500–$1,500 (research, travel, conferences) | Current UT honors student in good standing; approved proposal | ✅ (short app) | ⛔ one‑time per project | Motivated honors students tying funds to capstone, study abroad, or national presentations |
| 1794 Scholars Program (perks program) | Perks + access to grants (no built‑in stipend) | High‑achieving admits seeking seminar community; essays required | ✅ | Perks continue with standing | Admits with strong GPA/rigor; leadership/service help; many Tennessee residents |
| Honors Leadership Program (HLP) (perks program) | Perks + access to grants (no built‑in stipend) | Applicants focused on leadership & civic impact; essays & résumé | ✅ | Perks continue with standing | Students with sustained leadership (SGA, NHS, service orgs) and reflective essays |
Deadlines: Apply to UT by Nov 1 for honors consideration; Haslam also requires program materials and (if advanced) interviews. Grant cycles run during the year.
Honors — FAQs
Is admission automatic?
No. Check the honors box on the UT application and submit short program essays by Nov 1.
Do all honors programs include scholarships?
Only Haslam Scholars includes a set scholarship package. 1794 and HLP offer perks and access to University Honors Grants for research/travel.
Typical profile?
Competitive applicants often show a 3.9+ unweighted (or top 10%), rigorous coursework, and—if submitted—ACT 30+/SAT 1350+. Haslam finalists trend higher.
Can students apply to multiple programs?
Yes. The single honors application can be used to apply to Haslam, 1794, and HLP.
What if my student isn’t admitted to Honors?
UT offers robust research, leadership, and scholarships outside honors; students can often re‑apply after the first year with strong UT grades.
📎 Official Links
✅ Wrapping It Up
If there’s one thing that stands out about the University of Tennessee, it’s balance. Parents will notice that UT combines a flagship SEC college feel with very real scholarship pathways—automatic merit, competitive awards, and strong Honors support. For many families, that means your student doesn’t need to have a perfect ACT or 4.0 GPA to see meaningful aid on the table.
Add in Tennessee’s national reputation for programs like business, engineering, and supply chain management, and UT becomes more than just a regional option—it’s a nationally visible value. Out-of-state parents should especially pay attention to merit and Honors packages, which can make Knoxville surprisingly affordable.
Bottom line: UT is a big-school experience with an approachable scholarship system. For the right student, it can be both a spirited and financially smart choice.
Published: August 5, 2025 • Last updated: August 21, 2025