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
- Flagship (competitive) and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: (see Official Links)
- Middle 50% ACT: (see Official Links)
- Middle 50% SAT: (see Official Links)
- Average HS GPA: (see Official Links)
Source: University of Memphis / NCES (see links below). Middle 50% = the range where half of admitted students fall.
Memphis at a Glance
Last verified: October 4, 2025
The University of Memphis offers a clear merit pathway with a December 1 priority date and room to improve awards through March 1 if funds remain. Add in border-county and military-linked in-state options plus Academic Common Market for select majors, and Memphis can compete on net price—especially for students who plan their testing and deadlines.
Use this guide to see exactly what’s possible and what it takes. If you’re comparing offers or layering in state programs, start with our Tennessee Grants & Scholarships page, then come back here to map Memphis’s options line-by-line.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes. Memphis offers a test-optional path and accepts ACT/SAT superscores for scholarship consideration.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? See the Official Links section for current ranges published by the university/NCES.
What’s the average net price? $13,873 (NCES). Net price varies by family income. See our Net Price & SAI guide.
Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? Yes — Academic Common Market (select majors), Border County waivers (AR/MS), and Military/ROTC/employment-linked in-state options.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Memphis
The following figures reflect the 2025–2026 academic year for full-time undergraduate students (12–18 credit hours per semester). Housing and meal costs are based on standard on-campus options. Totals may vary depending on residence hall, meal plan, and program of study.
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $11,256 | $15,960 |
| Housing & Meals | $11,761 | $11,761 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $30,536 | $35,240 |
Note: These totals include only direct, university-billed costs such as tuition, required fees, housing, and meals. Items like books, transportation, and personal expenses are excluded because they vary by student and are not paid directly to the university.
Reciprocity & Waivers: The University of Memphis participates in the Academic Common Market (ACM) for select majors and offers border-county in-state rates to eligible students from Arkansas and Mississippi. Military-affiliated students and dependents of full-time Tennessee employees may also qualify for in-state tuition.
Official cost estimates verified via the University of Memphis Cost of Attendance page (accessed October 2025). Always confirm current rates directly with the university before finalizing financial plans.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Apply by the December 1 priority date; updated GPAs/scores accepted through March 1 while funds last. Annual amounts below generally renew up to 8 full-time semesters with good standing and any required service hours.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility (plain English) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Merit Finalist / Semi-Finalist | Up to $15,000* (up to $10k tuition/fees + up to $5k housing) | U.S. citizen; National Merit standing (Finalist or Semifinalist) | No — via admission | Yes — up to 4 years | Semifinalists/Finalists who enroll full-time | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Cecil C. Humphreys Presidential (Non-Resident) | $7,000/year | GPA 3.50 + ACT 31 / SAT 1390; non-resident; U.S. citizen | No | Yes (good standing + FT) | Top OOS students with ~31+ ACT and 3.5+ GPA | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Cecil C. Humphreys Presidential (Resident) | $6,000/year | GPA 3.50 + ACT 31 / SAT 1390; Tennessee resident | No | Yes | Top in-state applicants (~31+ ACT, 3.5+ GPA) | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Provost (Resident) | $5,000/year | GPA 3.25 + ACT 29 / SAT 1330; Tennessee resident | No | Yes | High-achieving TN students around 29 ACT / 3.25+ GPA | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Provost (Non-Resident) | $6,000/year | GPA 3.25 + ACT 29 / SAT 1330; non-resident; U.S. citizen | No | Yes | Strong OOS students around 29 ACT / 3.25+ GPA | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Deans | $4,000/year | GPA 3.25 + ACT 25 / SAT 1200; resident or non-resident; U.S. citizen | No | Yes | Solid academics around 25 ACT / 3.25+ GPA | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Academic Excellence Award | $3,000/year | GPA 3.50 + ACT 23 / SAT 1130; resident or non-resident; U.S. citizen | No | Yes | Students with ~23 ACT but higher GPAs (≈3.5) | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Academic Achievement Award | $2,000/year | GPA 3.25 + ACT 23 / SAT 1130; resident or non-resident; U.S. citizen | No | Yes | Students around 23 ACT / 3.25+ GPA | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Trustee Award 1 (Test-Optional) | $1,000/year | GPA 3.80 (no test required) | No | Yes | Test-optional students with 3.80 GPA | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Trustee Award 2 (Test-Optional) | $1,500/year | GPA 3.90 (no test required) | No | Yes | Test-optional students with 3.90 GPA | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Trustee Award 3 (Test-Optional) | $2,000/year | GPA 4.00 (no test required) | No | Yes | Test-optional students with 4.00 GPA | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Trustee Award 4 (Test-Optional) | $3,000/year | GPA 4.10 (no test required) | No | Yes | Test-optional students with 4.10 GPA | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Memphis Promise (last-dollar) | Varies (covers remaining tuition & mandatory fees after Pell + HOPE) | TN 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 | Dec 1 (priority) |
| Valedictorian Scholarship*** | $1,000 (stackable per rules) | Ranked 1st in graduating class; resident or non-resident; U.S. citizen | No | Yes | Any admitted valedictorian (see stacking rules) | Dec 1 (priority) |
* National Merit: up to $10,000 may be applied to tuition/fees and up to $5,000 to on-campus housing.
** Memphis Promise requires HOPE + Federal Pell eligibility.
*** Stacking rules (from page): TN residents may accept one first-time freshman scholarship in addition to TSAC programs, except Valedictorian and Memphis Promise which can stack. Non-residents may accept only one first-time freshman scholarship; Valedictorian may stack.
GPA and test score cutoffs are approximate when not explicitly stated on the college site. They’re based on a mix of official award descriptions, past recipient data, and published student statistics. Actual cutoffs can shift each year depending on funding and applicant strength.
FAQ — Automatic Scholarships
Do I need a separate application? No. These are automatic with admission by the priority date.
Does Memphis superscore? Yes — submit all ACT / SAT results to maximize your superscore.
Can I update my scores? Yes. Updates are considered until March 1 while funds last.
Where can I learn more about National Merit scholarships? See our complete guide at National Merit Scholarship guide for how Finalists and Semifinalists stack institutional awards and state grants.
🏆 Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships
These require a separate application, essay, or interview. Complete admission by December 1 and follow each program’s specific deadline below.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) | $5,500/year (in-state & border); non-resident amount varies to offset OOS diff | New freshmen; leadership record; ~3.0+ GPA; program participation requirements | Yes — ELP application | Yes — up to 4 years with GPA & participation | Students with sustained leadership/service & strong campus engagement fit | Dec 1 |
| First Scholars® (First-Gen Cohort) | $5,000/year (up to $20,000 over 4 years) | First-generation; new freshmen; separate selection; cannot combine with some academic/program awards | Yes — First Scholars application | Yes — up to 4 years with program standing | First-gen students with engagement and need/fit for cohort model | Feb 1 |
FAQ — Flagship (Competitive) Scholarships
How selective are these? Very selective; strong leadership and sustained involvement help.
Stacking rules? First Scholars and Emerging Leaders have restrictions; some university merit awards cannot be combined — always confirm in your offer letter.
Where to apply? See the Official Links section for the ELP and First Scholars applications.
🎓 Helen Hardin Honors College
Small seminars, priority registration, and competitive scholarships for high-achieving students. Honors awards are limited and competitive and may vary by year.
| Program / Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helen Hardin Honors College — Admission | Program entry (no direct award) | Selective admission; ongoing GPA/participation required for good standing | Yes — Honors application | Yes — maintain Honors standing | High-achieving students seeking seminar-style learning | Dec 1 (preferred) |
| Helen Hardin Honors College Scholarship | Varies (one-time, non-renewable) | Must be a current Honors student (≥1 year), ≥3.0 GPA; FAFSA preferred | Yes — Honors scholarship application | No — one-time | Continuing Honors students in good standing | Feb 1 |
| Honors Ambassadors | $500 per semester | Sophomore+; 3.25+ GPA; active Honors standing; full academic year commitment | Yes — Ambassador application | Yes — per semester while selected | Continuing Honors students who represent the college | Varies (annual cycle) |
| Non-Resident Honors Student Award (NRHSA) | Pays out-of-state tuition fees only (competitive) | Non-resident new freshmen; full-time; active pursuit of Honors graduation | Yes — separate Honors/NRHSA process | Yes — up to 8 semesters with Honors standing | Out-of-state Honors admits meeting program expectations | Varies (competitive) |
What a typical Memphis Honors student looks like: Often a 3.7–4.0 GPA with AP/dual-enrollment, leadership or service roles, and consistent follow-through. Many are local or border-county students leveraging in-state options, and they choose Honors for seminar-style classes and faculty mentorship.
Important: Honors awards are limited and not guaranteed for all Honors admits. Amounts and availability can change year-to-year. Always confirm details in your award letter and on the university site.
FAQ — Helen Hardin Honors College
Is there a standard incoming Honors “scholarship”? No. Honors admission itself does not carry a fixed dollar award. Competitive funds for continuing students are limited and vary.
What is the Ambassadors award? A $500/semester scholarship for selected sophomore-level (or higher) Honors Ambassadors.
What is NRHSA? A competitive award that pays out-of-state tuition fees only for non-resident Honors students.
Where do I apply? See Official Links for Honors scholarships and Ambassadors.
⭐ What the University of Memphis Is Known For
The University of Memphis is a public urban research university classified as R2: High Research Activity. It combines Division I athletics with top-ranked graduate programs in audiology, speech-language pathology, business, and counseling. Students benefit from Memphis’s metropolitan setting, internships with FedEx and St. Jude, and a strong focus on service-based learning and applied research.
| Program / Area | Recent National Ranking | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Audiology (School of Communication Sciences & Disorders) | #17 in the U.S. | U.S. News & World Report, 2025 |
| Speech-Language Pathology (Master’s) | #24 in the U.S. | U.S. News & World Report, 2025 |
| Rehabilitation Counseling | #21 in the U.S. | U.S. News & World Report, 2025 |
| Fogelman College of Business — Part-Time MBA | #93 nationally • #1 in Tennessee | U.S. News & World Report, 2025 |
| Fogelman College of Business (Overall Recognition) | Listed as “Best On-Campus MBA” | The Princeton Review, 2023 |
Did you know? Memphis’s Fogelman College of Business & Economics partners with major employers including FedEx, International Paper, and St. Jude. The program emphasizes applied internships, corporate mentorship, and leadership readiness.
FAQ — Specialty & Academic Strengths
Is Memphis considered a research university? Yes. It’s classified as an R2: High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation.
Are these rankings current? Yes — all listed programs use the most recent U.S. News & World Report rankings available as of 2025. Earlier references have been removed.
What majors attract the most scholarships? Business, Engineering, Education, and Health Sciences consistently attract both automatic and competitive awards.
Does location make a difference? Yes. Memphis’s metropolitan setting gives students access to major employers and internships that strengthen both scholarship renewals and post-grad placement rates.
For students balancing academics, affordability, and opportunity, Memphis remains one of Tennessee’s strongest values — especially for border-county and military families eligible for in-state tuition.
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