University of Tennessee–Martin Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on April 1, 2026- Tuition, housing, and average family net price
- Automatic merit ranges and qualifier benchmarks
- Flagship and hidden-gem awards
- Honors and stacking strategy
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~87%
- Middle 50% ACT: 22
- Middle 50% SAT: 1125
- Average GPA: 3.6
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
📌 University of Tennessee–Martin at a Glance
- UT Promise is powerful—but it’s last-dollar: It only covers what’s left after Pell, HOPE, and other aid. That means it can fully cover tuition, but won’t help much with housing or living costs.
- Deadlines matter more than families expect: UT Promise requires a December 15 application, while merit consideration ties to admission timing (priority around February 1). Miss those, and you can lose out on thousands.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — University of Tennessee–Martin is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 22; SAT: 1125.
Average net price? About $10,299/yearyear after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity? Yes — participates in ACM.
UT Martin scholarships page (University Scholars section): https://www.utm.edu/admissions-and-aid/financial-aid-and-scholarships/scholarships.php
UT Martin University Scholars Program page: https://www.utm.edu/academics/honors-programs/university-scholars/
UT Martin travel-study financial aid page: https://www.utm.edu/offices-and-services/center-for-global-education-and-experience/travel-study-financial-aid.php
CollegeScorecard / Admissions: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Tennessee–Martin 2026-2027
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2026–2027 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
| Category (2026–2027) | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters) | $10,864 | $16,904 |
| Housing & Meals (typical) | $9,584 | $9,584 |
| Total (Direct Costs) | $20,448 | $26,488 |
Average Federal Net Price: $10,299 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
• Kentucky Border County Waiver: Residents of Fulton, Hickman, or Graves Counties pay in-state rates instead of out-of-state — a savings of about $6,000/year.
• Academic Common Market (ACM): UT Martin participates in the ACM program, which allows out-of-state students to pay in-state tuition if their major isn’t offered in their home state.
Example: A Kentucky student from Graves County saves about $6,000/year on tuition with the border waiver. An out-of-state student in an ACM-approved major pays the in-state $10,864 instead of $16,904 — again about $6,000/year in savings.
FAQ
Who qualifies? Border-county residents in KY qualify automatically. ACM eligibility depends on your home state and chosen major.
How much can you save? Around $6,000 per year — the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.
Do you need to apply? Border-county waivers are automatic with proof of residency. ACM requires an application through your state’s higher-ed agency and approval from UT Martin.
UT Martin Tuition & Costs – https://www.utm.edu/admissions-and-aid/financial-aid-and-scholarships/tuition-and-costs.php (Tier 1)
UT Martin Financial Aid & Scholarships – https://www.utm.edu/admissions-and-aid/financial-aid-and-scholarships/scholarships.php (Tier 1)
UT Martin Border County Waiver (KY residents) – https://www.utm.edu/admissions-and-aid/out-of-state-students.php (Tier 1)
Academic Common Market (UT System info) – https://www.utm.edu/admissions-and-aid/out-of-state-students.php (Tier 1)
College Scorecard (Average Net Price $10,299) – https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?221768-The-University-of-Tennessee-Martin (Tier 2)
BigFuture (Archived COA & Net Price comparison $11,151) – https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-tennessee-at-martin/tuition-and-costs (Tier 2)
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achieve Scholarship | $1,000/year (up to 4 years) | ≥3.0 GPA and ACT 19–21 (or SAT equivalent) | No | Yes — 2.75 GPA, full-time | Students at entry-level eligibility; in- or out-of-state (waiver for out-of-state adds Voyager award) | Feb 1 (priority) |
| Excellence Scholarship | $1,500/year (up to 4 years) | ≥3.2 GPA and ACT 22–23 | No | Yes — 2.75 GPA, full-time | Mid-band students meeting next GPA/test tier | Feb 1 |
| Dean’s Scholarship | $3,000/year (up to 4 years) | ≥3.5 GPA and ACT 24–27 | No | Yes — 2.75 GPA, full-time | Top quartile admits; eligible out-of-state get Voyager waiver | Feb 1 |
| Chancellor’s Scholarship | $4,000/year (up to 4 years) + one-time $2,500 travel stipend; out-of-state tuition waiver | ≥3.75 GPA and ACT 28+ | No | Yes — 2.75 GPA, full-time | Highest academic admits in- or out-of-state | Feb 1 |
UT Martin superscores ACT for merit. Merit is automatic for qualified applicants. Scholarships stack with state/federal aid, but only one UTM merit award may be received per student (Voyager waiver stacks for those eligible). Out-of-state students who qualify for a merit award automatically receive the Voyager waiver unless receiving a Chancellor’s Scholarship (covers full out-of-state fee).
*Amounts and bands above are as of the Fall cohort. Award programs, deadlines, and requirements are subject to funding and annual university approval. Always verify in your official award letter.
FAQ
Do I need to apply separately? No — all merit scholarships are automatic with timely admission. Apply by February 1 for strongest consideration.
Does UT Martin superscore? Yes — eligibility is based on your highest section scores across ACT attempts.
Can these stack with other aid? Yes, with HOPE, UT Promise, Pell/TSAA, and outside scholarships. Voyager (out-of-state fee waiver) is applied automatically for those eligible, unless covered by Chancellor’s Scholarship.
Are these renewable? Yes — 2.75 GPA and continuous full-time enrollment.
https://www.utm.edu/admissions/scholarships/
https://www.utm.edu/offices-and-services/financial-aid-and-scholarships/
https://www.utm.edu/admissions/freshman-scholarships.php
https://catalog.utm.edu/
https://www.utm.edu/academics/university-honors-programs.php
🏆 Flagship Scholarships (highly competitive, limited slots)
These are the university’s top, selective (competitive) awards that usually require extra steps beyond admission (essays, interviews, portfolios) and have limited numbers. They are different from automatic merit listed above.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | What Makes It Competitive | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Scholars Program | $2,500/year (stackable, up to 4 years) | Selective cohort (~30 per year); application, interview, 10-hour honors curriculum, extracurriculars/service required | Must be eligible for Chancellor’s Scholarship; strong academic, leadership, and service record | Yes—application and interview | Yes—maintain 3.3 GPA and program curriculum/activities |
UT Martin’s University Scholars Program is the primary university-level competitive/flagship scholarship. It is highly selective, requires a separate application, and stacks with the Chancellor’s Scholarship. All other major awards are automatic or department/honors-specific.
FAQ
What’s the difference between automatic merit and flagship (competitive) scholarships? Automatic merit is awarded with admission when you meet GPA/test criteria. Flagship scholarships are selective, require extra application/interview, and offer enhanced funding and programming.
Can flagship (competitive) awards stack with automatic merit? Yes—the University Scholars Program stacks with the Chancellor’s Scholarship for a combined total of $6,500/year. Departmental and donor funds may also stack up to the Cost of Attendance.
When are applications due? Priority deadline is February 1. Early application maximizes chances for selection and best possible merit offers.
https://www.utm.edu/admissions/scholarships/
https://www.utm.edu/honors-program/scholars.php
https://catalog.utm.edu/
🎖️ Honors College
UT Martin’s Honors Programs allow high-achieving students to engage deeply in their studies through seminar courses, close faculty mentorship, and research experiences. Students apply via a separate process and, if invited, participate in an interview to join the University Scholars Program. The curriculum is designed to enrich your degree—not add extra semesters.
• High school GPA around 3.7–4.0
• ACT scores in the high 20s (no official minimum published)
• Strong record of leadership and service
• Willing to participate in interviews and discussion-based coursework
*UTM does not publish strict cutoffs, but the typical class profile is highly selective.
• Priority registration and small seminar classes
• Mentored research and unique undergraduate projects
• Honors residence hall and leadership opportunities
• Honors thesis or capstone for advanced students
• Additional research and travel/conference funding available via university programs
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University Scholars Award | $2,500/year (up to 4 years, 5th year for double majors) | Incoming freshmen eligible for Chancellor’s Scholarship (GPA ≥3.75 and ACT ≥28); separate packet, interview, and honors curriculum/service required | Yes — application and interview | Yes — 3.3 GPA, Honors curriculum, active engagement, service/cultural event milestones | Top applicants with exemplary academics, service, and interview skills | Dec 19 (priority—may vary) |
Chancellor’s Scholarship recipients may apply as rising sophomores. Scholarship stacks with Chancellor’s for up to $6,500/year total.
- Additional Support: Honors students are especially competitive for undergraduate travel/conference grants and advanced research stipends.
FAQ
Is admission automatic? No—students must apply and interview. Thirty are chosen each incoming year for a program cap of 120.
Does Honors add extra time to graduation? No—curriculum replaces core courses and is designed for a four-year (or five with double major) plan.
What are typical deadlines? Applications open in fall, with preference given to packets received by December 19 for the next year. Interviews and decisions occur in January–March.
Is there extra scholarship money? Yes—the $2,500 University Scholars Award, which can be combined with the Chancellor’s Scholarship for high-value total support.
https://www.utm.edu/honors-program/scholars.php
https://catalog.utm.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=5&poid=399
https://catalog.utm.edu/
https://www.utm.edu/admissions/scholarships/
⭐ College Specialty
UT Martin has a strong reputation across West Tennessee for preparing graduates who are ready to step directly into careers and community leadership. It’s a smaller public university in the University of Tennessee System, which means students get the resources of a state school but in a more personal setting. Families often choose UTM because it offers affordable pathways in high-demand fields and deep ties to regional employers.
- Business & Accounting: Accredited by AACSB; regional employers recognize UT Martin’s graduates for practical preparation in accounting and management.
- Education: Long-standing teacher education programs with strong placement rates in Tennessee schools, especially in rural and West Tennessee districts.
- Engineering & Computer Science: ABET-accredited engineering technology and computer science degrees; praised for applied, hands-on learning and job-ready graduates.
- Veterinary Health Technology: One of the few four-year bachelor’s degrees in Veterinary Technology offered in Tennessee, drawing statewide interest.