University of Memphis Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
Figuring out how to pay for college can feel overwhelming—especially if you’re the first in your family to do this. The University of Memphis has options for Tennessee families and out-of-state students alike, from the Memphis Promise program to special scholarships for international students. You’ll also want to look at state aid in Tennessee alongside our full College Scholarships Hub to see where Memphis fits in your student’s plan.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Memphis
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $10,344 | $14,784 |
| Housing & Meals (On Campus) | $10,836 | $10,836 |
| Total (Before Aid) | $28,562 | $33,002 |
Average Net Price: Families actually paid about $13,873 per year after grants and scholarships (no loans). This is the most realistic number to plan around. (Source: NCES/IPEDS 2022–2023)
Residency Waivers & Discounts: Memphis offers in-state rates for veterans, military families, ROTC cadets, residents of select border counties in Arkansas and Mississippi, and some part-time students working full-time in Tennessee. These waivers can cut thousands off the out-of-state price.
COA & Waiver FAQs
Who qualifies for in-state tuition?
Tennessee residents automatically qualify, but Memphis also extends the in-state rate to certain groups like veterans, active-duty military, ROTC cadets, and students from select border counties in Arkansas and Mississippi.
Does Memphis offer regional tuition discounts?
Yes. If you live in Crittenden County (AR) or DeSoto, Marshall, Tunica, or Tate Counties (MS), you can get a waiver that covers the non-resident portion of tuition—so you’ll pay the in-state rate.
Are there other ways to qualify for in-state rates?
Yes. Out-of-state students who work full-time in Tennessee can qualify for in-state tuition on a part-time course load (up to 11 undergraduate credits per semester). A letter from the employer is required each term.
Is the cost the same for all majors?
Base tuition is the same across all majors. Some programs may add course or lab fees, but those are on top of the standard tuition and fees.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Memphis evaluates first-time freshmen for academic scholarships using either GPA + ACT/SAT or a GPA‑only (test‑optional) pathway. Apply for admission by the Dec 1 priority date; updated scores/GPA accepted through Mar 1 while funds last. Awards below are annual amounts and are generally renewable for up to four years with full‑time enrollment, good academic standing, and required service hours.
| Scholarship | Award Amount (annual) | Eligibility (plain English) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Merit Finalist / Semi‑Finalist | Up to $15,000* (incl. up to $10k tuition/fees + up to $5k on‑campus housing) | U.S. citizen; National Merit standing; TN resident or non‑resident | No (via admissions) | Yes (4 years; FT + good standing + service hours) | National Merit Semifinalists/Finalists who enroll full‑time |
| Cecil C. Humphreys Presidential (Non‑Resident) | $7,000 | GPA 3.50 + ACT 31 / SAT 1390; non‑resident, U.S. citizen | No (via admissions) | Yes | Top out‑of‑state applicants with ~31+ ACT and 3.5+ GPA |
| Cecil C. Humphreys Presidential (Resident) | $6,000 | GPA 3.50 + ACT 31 / SAT 1390; Tennessee resident | No | Yes | Top Tennessee applicants with ~31+ ACT and 3.5+ GPA |
| Provost (Resident) | $5,000 | GPA 3.25 + ACT 29 / SAT 1330; Tennessee resident | No | Yes | High‑achieving TN students around 29 ACT / 3.25+ GPA |
| Provost (Non‑Resident) | $6,000 | GPA 3.25 + ACT 29 / SAT 1330; non‑resident, U.S. citizen | No | Yes | Strong OOS students around 29 ACT / 3.25+ GPA |
| Deans | $4,000 | GPA 3.25 + ACT 25 / SAT 1200; TN or non‑resident, U.S. citizen | No | Yes | Solid academics around 25 ACT / 3.25+ GPA |
| Academic Excellence Award | $3,000 | GPA 3.50 + ACT 23 / SAT 1130; TN or non‑resident, U.S. citizen | No | Yes | Students with ~23 ACT but higher GPAs (≈3.5) |
| Academic Achievement Award | $2,000 | GPA 3.25 + ACT 23 / SAT 1130; TN or non‑resident, U.S. citizen | No | Yes | Students around 23 ACT / 3.25+ GPA |
| Trustee Award 1 (Test‑Optional) | $1,000 | GPA 3.80 (no test required); TN or non‑resident, U.S. citizen | No | Yes | Test‑optional students with 3.80 GPA |
| Trustee Award 2 (Test‑Optional) | $1,500 | GPA 3.90 (no test required) | No | Yes | Test‑optional students with 3.90 GPA |
| Trustee Award 3 (Test‑Optional) | $2,000 | GPA 4.00 (no test required) | No | Yes | Test‑optional students with 4.00 GPA |
| Trustee Award 4 (Test‑Optional) | $3,000 | GPA 4.10 (no test required) | No | Yes | Test‑optional students with 4.10 GPA |
| Memphis Promise** (last‑dollar) | Varies (covers remaining tuition & mandatory fees after Pell + HOPE) | Tennessee resident; HOPE‑eligible and Federal Pell‑eligible | No (via admissions/aid packaging) | Yes (subject to aid eligibility) | TN students with demonstrated need who qualify for HOPE + Pell |
| Valedictorian Scholarship*** | $1,000 | Ranked 1st in graduating class; TN or non‑resident, U.S. citizen | No | Yes | Any admitted valedictorian |
* National Merit: up to $15,000 total, structured as up to $10,000 toward tuition/fees and up to $5,000 toward on‑campus housing.
** Memphis Promise requires HOPE + Federal Pell eligibility.
*** Stacking rules: TN residents may accept only one first‑time freshman scholarship in addition to TSAC (state) offers, except Valedictorian and Memphis Promise which can stack. Non‑residents may accept only one first‑time freshman scholarship; Valedictorian can stack.
Notes on eligibility & process: Memphis accepts superscores; submit all ACT/SAT results to maximize eligibility. Awards are limited and priority is given to students admitted by Dec 1; updated GPA/test information considered until Mar 1. Most awards renew for up to 8 full‑time semesters with good academic standing and required service hours.
Automatic Merit FAQs
Does the University of Memphis superscore ACT and SAT?
Yes. The University of Memphis superscores both ACT and SAT for admission and scholarship consideration. Students are encouraged to submit all test results so the highest sub-scores can be combined into the best possible composite.
Do I need to submit test scores?
No—there are GPA‑only Trustee Awards. But if you have ACT/SAT scores, submit them (Memphis superscores) to be considered for higher‑value awards.
Can these stack with HOPE or Memphis Promise?
Tennessee residents can have one Memphis freshman scholarship alongside TSAC programs; Valedictorian and Memphis Promise are specifically stackable. Non‑residents can hold only one Memphis freshman scholarship; Valedictorian may stack.
Do residency waivers affect these?
Border‑county and other residency waivers change your tuition rate but don’t change scholarship eligibility rules. Always check your final package for stacking interactions.
Any separate applications?
Most awards above are automatic with admission. Some leadership/first‑gen programs (e.g., Emerging Leaders, First Scholars, Memphis Advantage) require applications in Tiger Scholarship Manager and are typically more competitive.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerging Leaders Scholarship | $5,500/year + leadership development | Freshmen with strong high school leadership and service | Yes — Tiger Scholarship Manager (Dec 1) | Yes (maintain GPA + program involvement) | Students with ~3.5+ GPA who held major roles (student gov, captain, significant service) |
| First Scholars Program | $5,000/year + mentoring & support | First-generation college students; U.S. citizen or permanent resident | Yes — Tiger Scholarship Manager (Dec 1) | Yes (4 years, if GPA + participation continue) | First-gen students with clear financial need and resilience |
| Memphis Advantage Scholarship | Up to $2,500/year | Students with financial need or underrepresented backgrounds; FAFSA required | Yes — Tiger Scholarship Manager | Yes | Students with Pell eligibility or significant financial/educational barriers |
Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Where do I apply?
In the Tiger Scholarship Manager portal, after you’ve submitted your admissions application. Most competitive awards close around Dec 1.
What makes these competitive?
Beyond GPA, they look for leadership, service, essays, and first-generation or high-need backgrounds. Cohorts are small and selective.
Can they stack with automatic merit?
Often yes—these awards can combine with some automatic scholarships, but always confirm with the financial aid office to see how your package will stack.
How many students get them?
Numbers are limited. Emerging Leaders is a small leadership cohort, while First Scholars selects a group of first-generation students each year.
⭐ College Specialty
University of Memphis is quietly exceptional—particularly in fields that make a real impact on health, engineering, and the Mid-South. From treating communication disorders to studying earthquakes or training future business leaders, Memphis blends meaningful research with accessible, career-ready programs.
Standout program: The AuD in Audiology ranks among the top in the nation—U.S. News & World Report places it around #17 nationally. The Speech-Language Pathology master’s is also nationally rated, around #24. These are major wins for Memphis. (Sources: Graduate School rankings, U.S. News)
- Fogelman College of Business & Economics (Professional & Online MBA) — Named Best Business School 2025 by *The Princeton Review*, and home to Tennessee’s #1 Part-Time MBA program, with national ranking around #93.
- Center for Earthquake Research & Information (CERI) — Nationally recognized for studying New Madrid seismic activity; undergrad students get hands-on research opportunities.
- Rehabilitation Counseling — U.S. News ranks the graduate program at about #20 nationally.}
- Health Care Management — Ranked around #33 nationally, underscoring strong regional leadership in public health education.
🎖️ Honors College
The Helen Hardin Honors College at the University of Memphis is one of the largest honors programs in the state, offering students a community of high achievers plus meaningful perks like priority registration, faculty mentorship, and access to exclusive scholarships. Admission is by separate application after university admission, with priority given to those who apply by December 1.
What a Typical Memphis Honors Student Looks Like: High school GPA of 3.5+, ACT around 26–30 (or SAT equivalent*), strong writing skills, and evidence of leadership or service. (*Estimates based on past cohorts; Memphis is test-optional.)
Perks that Matter: Priority registration, Honors housing, seminar-style classes, dedicated advising, research and study abroad funding, and national scholarship prep (like Fulbright or Truman).
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Elizabeth K. Perryman Honors Scholarship | $1,500–$3,000 | STEM majors in Honors (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, Earth Sciences, Biomedical Engineering), GPA ≥ 3.25, active in service | Yes — Honors College application | No (one-time) | Sophomores–Seniors with strong GPAs and a project or study abroad plan |
| Honors Summer Research Fellowship | $3,000 stipend + up to $1,000 supplies | Honors sophomores or juniors, GPA ≥ 3.25, enrolled for following year | Yes — via Honors College | No (summer only) | Students with faculty-mentored research proposals and good standing |
| Non-Resident Honors Student Award | Covers full out-of-state tuition differential | Non-resident freshmen admitted to Honors, full-time enrollment | No (automatic with Honors admission) | Yes (8 semesters if Honors criteria met) | High-achieving out-of-state Honors admits |
| Honors Study Abroad Scholarship | $1,000–$2,500 | Honors students accepted into approved study abroad programs | Yes — via Study Abroad + Honors | No | Honors students planning summer or semester abroad who apply on time |
| Honors Conference Travel Award | Up to $750–$1,000 | Honors students presenting at academic or professional conferences | Yes — via Honors College | No (per trip) | Honors students accepted to present posters/papers at conferences |
Honors College FAQs
Is admission automatic with good grades?
No—you must apply separately. Essays, leadership, and service weigh alongside GPA.
Do Honors scholarships stack with other aid?
Yes. Most Honors awards stack with state and university merit scholarships, though packages can’t exceed total cost of attendance.
Are these awards renewable?
Most are one-time, but the Non-Resident Honors Award renews up to 8 semesters if GPA and Honors participation continue.
Does Honors add time to your degree?
No—their courses and projects integrate into your regular plan, usually within four years.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
The University of Memphis may not always make national headlines, but for many families it delivers exactly what matters most: a solid education at a reasonable price, with real scholarships that lower the bottom line. From automatic merit for strong academics to competitive programs that reward leadership and first-generation students, Memphis opens doors without the sticker shock. Pair that with its research strengths in health, business, and science, and it’s easy to see why so many Tennessee families—and even out-of-state students with waivers—choose Memphis as their launchpad.
Last updated: August 2025