East Tennessee State University Scholarships (2025–2026)
← Back to the Public University Scholarships hub • See Tennessee state aid
- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- How ETSU scholarships really work (application-based vs. automatic)
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors College programs and how to stack awards wisely
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~87%
- Middle 50% ACT: 20–27
- Middle 50% SAT: 530–620 ERW • 520–610 Math
- Average GPA (HS): ~3.6
Source: East Tennessee State University Office of Admissions (most recent Common Data Set and federal data). Middle 50% = the range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
ETSU at a Glance
https://www.etsu.edu/provost/pds/ir/external_gov/cds.php
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/east-tennessee-state-university/admissions
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?220075-East-Tennessee-State-University
https://www.etsu.edu/admissions/apply/freshman-student-requirements.php
https://www.etsu.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/cost/cofa.php
💰 Cost of Attendance at East Tennessee State University (2025–2026)
These figures show the direct, billed costs for a full-time undergraduate living on campus. ETSU’s full Cost of Attendance also includes indirect estimates (books, transportation, personal expenses), but those are not billed by the university.
| Category | In-State / Border County | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $10,994 | $15,194 |
| Housing & Meals (Combined) | $15,086 | $15,086 |
| Total (Direct / Billed) | $26,080 | $30,280 |
Why only these items? We focus on the costs families typically pay directly to ETSU — tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals. ETSU’s official Cost of Attendance also includes estimated indirect expenses such as:
- Books & supplies: ~$1,350 per year
- Transportation: ~$4,500 per year
- Personal/miscellaneous: ~$3,600 per year
📉 Average Net Price (What Families Actually Pay)
Federal data shows ETSU’s average net price is about $16,000 per year after grants and scholarships. This reflects a mix of in-state, border-county, and out-of-state students and is best used as a planning benchmark rather than a guarantee.
ETSU does not participate in large national tuition exchanges like WUE or MSEP. Instead, it uses county-based and regional pricing to reduce costs for nearby students.
Border County In-State Tuition (Official List)
Students from the following counties are eligible to be billed at in-state tuition rates
with approved residency documentation:
- North Carolina: Ashe, Avery, Haywood, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, Yancey
- Virginia: Grayson, Lee, Scott, Washington
Out-of-State Local 5 States Tuition Tier
ETSU also offers a reduced out-of-state tuition rate for residents of:
Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
This rate is lower than the full nonresident price but higher than the in-state/border-county rate.
Residency approval is required for both options, and eligibility rules can change. Families should confirm classification directly with ETSU before enrollment.
FAQ — Cost & Regional Tuition at ETSU
Is border-county tuition automatic?
No. Students must submit residency documentation and be approved by ETSU’s residency
classification process to receive in-state rates.
How much does border-county status save?
For 2025–2026, the difference between in-state/border-county tuition and standard
out-of-state tuition is about $4,200 per year before scholarships.
How is the Local 5 States rate different?
The Local 5 States rate is a discounted out-of-state tier. It is cheaper than full
nonresident tuition, but it does not drop all the way to the in-state rate like
border-county classification does.
Does residency affect housing or meal costs?
No. Housing and meal plan costs are the same for all students regardless of residency.
What should families do first?
Confirm county/state eligibility early, apply for residency classification on time,
and then compare your aid offer against the billed-cost table above.
https://www.etsu.edu/admissions/affordability.php
https://www.etsu.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/cost/cofa.php
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?220075-East-Tennessee-State-University
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships at East Tennessee State University
At East Tennessee State University, most institutional scholarships are not awarded automatically with admission. Domestic students generally must complete ETSU’s General University Scholarship Application to be considered. However, ETSU does offer a small set of automatic, admission-based merit awards for international students.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility / Criteria | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Merit Scholarship — Blue | $5,000 per year | International undergraduates; ~3.0–3.3 GPA* at admission | No | Yes — up to 4 years | Admitted international students meeting GPA thresholds | With admission |
| International Merit Scholarship — Gold | $7,000 per year | International undergraduates; ~3.4–3.6 GPA* | No | Yes — up to 4 years | Higher-achieving international applicants at admission | With admission |
| International Merit Scholarship — Elite | $9,000 per year | International undergraduates; ~3.7+ GPA* | No | Yes — up to 4 years | Top academic international admits | With admission |
*GPA ranges are estimates based on published award descriptions and recent recipient patterns; actual thresholds can change by year.
FAQ — Automatic Merit at ETSU
Do domestic students receive automatic merit scholarships at ETSU?
Generally, no. Most ETSU scholarships for domestic students require completing the
General University Scholarship Application rather than being awarded automatically with admission.
Are international merit scholarships truly automatic?
Yes. Eligible international students are considered automatically as part of the admission process
and do not need to submit a separate scholarship application.
Can test scores help unlock higher automatic awards?
Possibly. While GPA is the primary factor, ETSU superscores ACT and SAT results and may consider
strong test performance alongside academic records.
Do these awards stack with other ETSU scholarships?
International merit scholarships may stack with some institutional or departmental awards,
but stacking rules vary. Students should always confirm details in their official aid offer.
If my student is domestic, where should we look instead?
Focus on ETSU’s competitive scholarships, Honors College programs, and
departmental “hidden gem” awards, all of which require a scholarship application.
https://www.etsu.edu/international/scholarships/merit.php
https://www.etsu.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/scholarships/
https://www.etsu.edu/admissions/apply/freshman-student-requirements.php
🏆 Flagship & Competitive Scholarships at East Tennessee State University
Unlike schools with large automatic merit ladders, ETSU’s highest-value awards are competitive and application-based. These scholarships typically require the ETSU General University Scholarship Application, and some also involve interviews, nominations, or Honors College selection.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility / Criteria | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roan Scholars Leadership Program | Large multi-year award (can approach full tuition) | High-achieving TN & select regional seniors; strong leadership, service, interviews (~3.8+ GPA, ~27+ ACT)* | Yes — nomination & selection | Yes — 4 years (with program criteria) | A small cohort of top leadership-focused applicants | Fall–Winter (varies by year) |
| Academic Performance Scholarships (APS) | Partial tuition awards (amount varies) | First-time freshmen; strong GPA & ACT/SAT (~3.5–3.9 GPA, ~24–30 ACT)* | Yes — General Scholarship App | Typically yes (with GPA renewal) | High-achieving admits who complete the application early | Typically Mar 1 |
| Promise Plus Scholars Program | Last-dollar tuition & mandatory fees | First-time freshmen with financial need; FAFSA required; academic readiness | Yes — institutional selection | Yes — with continued eligibility | Students with need whose aid doesn’t fully cover tuition | Varies by cycle |
| Horizon Scholars Program | Last-dollar tuition & fees + supports | Selected freshmen meeting ETSU program criteria (need-aware) | Yes — program selection | Yes — with participation | Students matched to structured academic-support cohorts | Varies by year |
| Passport Scholars Program | Last-dollar tuition & fees | Pell-eligible freshmen not qualifying for TN HOPE Scholarship | Yes — institutional selection | Yes — with eligibility | Low-income students with strong academic potential | Varies by year |
*GPA/test ranges are estimates based on published descriptions and recent recipient patterns; actual thresholds can change by year.
FAQ — Competitive Scholarships at ETSU
Are these scholarships automatic with admission?
No. ETSU’s flagship awards are competitive and require the General University Scholarship Application,
and in some cases interviews or nominations.
Do flagship scholarships stack with each other?
Usually not. Many are designed to meet tuition or fee gaps and may replace other institutional aid.
Always check whether an award is last-dollar or replaces other scholarships.
Is leadership as important as GPA?
For programs like Roan Scholars, leadership, service, and interview performance
carry as much weight as grades and test scores.
Should strong academic students still apply even without financial need?
Yes. Academic Performance Scholarships and leadership-based programs consider merit
independently of financial need.
What’s the biggest mistake families make here?
Assuming scholarships will be awarded automatically. At ETSU, missing the scholarship application
is the most common way strong students miss out.
https://www.etsu.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/freshman-new-student/
https://www.etsu.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/scholarships/
https://www.etsu.edu/honors/apply/current.php
🎖 Honors College & Honors Scholarships at East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University has a formal Honors College with competitive, cohort-based programs that include scholarship funding. Honors admission is not automatic and requires a separate application.
| Scholarship / Program | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global Citizen Scholars | ~$9,000 per year (up to 4 years) | Incoming freshmen admitted to Honors; strong academics and interest in global engagement (~3.7+ GPA typical)* | Yes — Honors application | Yes (with program requirements) | Small cohort of high-achieving students with leadership and service focus | Typically Jan–Feb |
| Changemaker Scholars | ~$9,000 per year (up to 4 years) | Honors applicants focused on community impact, leadership, and innovation (~3.6+ GPA typical)* | Yes — Honors application & interview | Yes (with participation) | Students with strong service records and leadership potential | Typically Jan–Feb |
| Honors & Quillen Partnership Scholars | Partial tuition support* | Pre-health students admitted to Honors with interest in medicine or health professions | Yes — Honors pathway application | Varies by year | High-achieving pre-health students seeking structured advising | Program-specific |
*GPA ranges are estimates based on recent Honors cohorts and published descriptions; actual thresholds may change year to year.
FAQ — Honors College at ETSU
Is the Honors College automatic with admission?
No. Students must submit a separate Honors College application and be selected.
Do Honors scholarships stack with other ETSU awards?
Sometimes. Some Honors scholarships may replace other institutional aid or have stacking limits.
Always review the official award letter.
Can students join Honors after freshman year?
Yes. Current ETSU students may apply to the Honors College and become eligible for Honors-only scholarships.
Who should seriously consider Honors at ETSU?
Students pursuing leadership roles, global engagement, or pre-health pathways who want smaller academic cohorts.
https://www.etsu.edu/honors/
https://www.etsu.edu/honors/apply/current.php
https://www.etsu.edu/honors/scholarships.php
⭐ College Specialty
East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is one of those schools that surprises families once they look past the headline tuition numbers. It’s a public university with a strong “do the work, get the support” culture — especially in health-focused fields, hands-on clinical pathways, and career-ready professional programs. If your student wants a campus where programs connect directly to real jobs (and real internships), ETSU has several areas where it’s consistently recognized and respected across the region.
- Health Sciences & Allied Health: A major ETSU strength, with broad offerings across clinical and health-related majors and strong regional healthcare connections.
- Nursing: A popular, high-demand pathway with structured coursework and clinical preparation that appeals to students who want a clear career track.
- Business: Practical programs that fit well for students who want internships, applied learning, and a straightforward professional pipeline.
- Education: A long-standing area of strength for ETSU, especially for students who want to teach and stay in the region.
🔗 Official East Tennessee State University Links
Use East Tennessee State University’s official resources below to confirm admissions details, scholarship policies, costs, and academic programs. Always rely on these pages for final deadlines, eligibility rules, and award terms.
-
Undergraduate Admissions:
https://www.etsu.edu/admissions/ -
Freshman Application & Requirements:
https://www.etsu.edu/admissions/apply/freshman.php -
Scholarships & Financial Aid:
https://www.etsu.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/ -
General University Scholarship Application:
https://www.etsu.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/scholarships/ -
Tuition, Fees & Cost of Attendance:
https://www.etsu.edu/admissions/affordability.php -
Net Price Calculator:
https://www.etsu.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/cost/netprice.php -
Honors College:
https://www.etsu.edu/honors/ -
Admitted Student Profile / Common Data Set:
https://www.etsu.edu/provost/pds/ir/external_gov/cds.php