University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Scholarships (2025–2026)
← Back to the College Scholarships Hub
- 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
Navigating college costs can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re the first in your family to go through it. The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) offers clear pathways to bring tuition down—whether through automatic merit awards, service scholarships, or Tennessee’s HOPE and UT Promise programs. Families can also explore options in our Tennessee state aid guide to see how local and state dollars work together with UTC’s scholarships.
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $10,762 | $19,068 |
| Housing & Meals | $12,604 | $12,604 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,400 | $1,400 |
| Transportation | $2,300 | $2,300 |
| Personal | $1,800 | $1,800 |
| Total (before aid) | $28,552 | $36,616 |
- Regional Tuition Discount: Students from select North Georgia and North Alabama counties pay a reduced out-of-state surcharge—saving thousands each year.
- Academic Common Market: Residents of SREB states can qualify for in-state rates if UTC offers a major not available in their home state.
- eRate: Non-residents taking only online courses qualify for a special reduced tuition rate.
Example: The standard out-of-state surcharge is $8,306. Students from eligible counties paying the regional rate save much of that cost every year.
FAQ on Reciprocity & Discounts
Who qualifies? Tennessee residents always pay in-state rates. Certain North Georgia and Alabama counties qualify for the regional discount, while other SREB states may use the Academic Common Market for specific majors.
How much can you save? Regional students can save around $8,000 each year compared to the full out-of-state rate; ACM students pay the full in-state amount.
Do you have to apply? Regional discounts are automatic if your home county is eligible. The Academic Common Market requires an application through your home state coordinator. The eRate applies if you are enrolled exclusively in online classes.
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Scholarship | $5,000/year | HS GPA 3.75+ and ACT 29+ (superscore accepted) | No | Yes – maintain GPA & credits | Students with 3.8+ GPAs and ACT 30–32*; usually those with strong rigor |
| Provost’s Scholarship | $4,000/year | HS GPA 3.4+ and ACT 25+ (superscore accepted) | No | Yes – maintain GPA & credits | Most awardees have 3.5–3.7 GPAs and ACT 26–28* |
| Mocs Scholarship | $3,000/year | HS GPA 3.2+ and ACT 22+ (superscore accepted) | No | Yes – maintain GPA & credits | Typical winners: 3.3–3.5 GPAs and ACT 23–24* |
| Academic Service Scholarship | Approx. $5,450/year (2025–26), tied to service role | Incoming freshmen willing to complete required campus service placement | No | Yes – with continued service & GPA | Students with leadership and service backgrounds who can balance academics and work |
| National Merit Scholarship | $2,000/year | Must be a National Merit Finalist and designate UTC as first-choice | No | Yes – up to 4 years | National Merit Finalists who officially select UTC; stacks with other UTC awards |
*GPA and ACT ranges are estimates based on UTC’s published minimums and typical profiles; actual cutoffs may shift depending on applicant pool and funding.
Curious about the national merit scholarship and how to qualify? Check out our National merit scholarship breakdown hereFAQ on Automatic Merit
Do I need a separate application? Yes and no. There isn’t a separate portal for each award, but students must complete the UTC scholarship application by January 10 to be considered. Simply applying for admission is not enough.
Does UTC superscore the ACT? Yes. UTC considers the best subscores across test dates to maximize your composite.
Are test scores required? If applying test-optional, merit is generally based on GPA; strong test scores can boost your award if submitted.
Can I stack these with other aid? These awards usually cannot be stacked with another UTC renewable merit scholarship of the same type, but they can combine with HOPE, Pell, and other outside aid up to cost of attendance.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships
UTC does not currently list any additional competitive, university-wide scholarships beyond the automatic merit and service-based awards already covered. Departmental and Honors-specific awards will be detailed in their own sections below.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No university-level competitive scholarships listed at this time | |||||
FAQ on Competitive Scholarships
Does UTC offer full-ride competitive scholarships? No. UTC’s largest awards are automatic merit scholarships and service-based programs.
Where do competitive opportunities exist? Most selective awards at UTC are tied to the Honors College or to academic departments. These are covered later on this page.
Should families still check for updates? Yes. UTC occasionally adds new competitive cohorts or donor-funded programs, so always check the official scholarships portal each fall.
⭐ College Specialty
UTC has carved out a reputation as a hands-on, industry-connected campus. While it’s not one of the state’s R1 research universities, it punches above its weight in applied fields—especially where Chattanooga’s “Gig City” tech infrastructure and strong local partnerships come into play. Parents often find that UTC’s strengths lie in programs that feed directly into regional workforce needs while still giving students nationally recognized opportunities.
UTC is a federally recognized National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through 2028 and one of just a handful of universities nationwide funded for the NSF’s CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service. Students graduate straight into federal and state cyber workforce pipelines.
- Engineering & Computer Science: UTC’s College of Engineering and Computer Science is home to the SimCenter (high-performance computing) and the Center for Energy, Transportation & the Environment, giving students direct access to applied research and TVA partnerships.
- Urban Informatics & Smart Cities: Through the Center for Urban Informatics and Progress, students work with city-scale sensor networks powered by Chattanooga’s 10–25 Gbps fiber, a nationally recognized testbed for traffic safety and energy research.
- Business (Rollins College of Business): Consistently ranked among the top regional business schools in the South (AACSB accredited), with strong ties to Chattanooga’s logistics and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Nursing & Health Sciences: Well regarded statewide, with high NCLEX pass rates and strong placements in Tennessee’s hospital systems.
🎖️ Honors College
UTC’s Honors College isn’t just about smaller classes—it’s designed to give motivated students a pathway to research, mentorship, and community impact. Admission is by application, and each program has its own emphasis, from interdisciplinary projects to cohort-based leadership development.
High school GPA above 3.7, strong ACT/SAT scores if submitted (often ACT 28+), a rigorous course load, and a track record of leadership or service. Essays and interviews weigh heavily in selection.
- Priority registration each semester
- Honors housing and close-knit cohort community
- Small, discussion-based seminars with faculty mentors
- Funding for research, study abroad, and special projects
- Capstone or thesis opportunities that build graduate school and career readiness
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William E. Brock, Jr. Scholarship | $1,000 per semester (up to 8 semesters) | Admitted to Brock Scholars Program (Honors College flagship for freshmen) | Yes — separate Brock Scholars application, essays, interview | Yes — 4 years with continued Honors participation | Highly selective Honors freshmen with strong academics, essays, and leadership/service |
- Honors College Academic Merit (HAM) Scholarship: $500 per semester for Innovations in Honors participants (transfer and current UTC students).
- Odyssey Grants: Competitive funding for study abroad, internships, or research beyond Chattanooga; amounts vary by proposal.
- Tucker Foundation Endowed Honors College Scholarship: For Honors students in Biology/Environmental Science engaged in undergraduate research (e.g., stream fish ecology, chestnut restoration).
- Out-of-State Tuition Waiver: Honors students from outside Tennessee pay in-state tuition rates.
- Annual Cultural Stipend: Modest stipend for attending cultural events each year.
- Conference & Travel Funding: Competitive support for presenting research/creative work at academic conferences.
FAQ on UTC Honors College
Is admission automatic if I meet GPA or test score minimums? No. Admission is selective and requires a separate Honors application with essays, recommendations, and sometimes an interview.
Does Honors add time to my degree? No. Honors courses are built into your regular program plan. Most students still graduate in four years.
When should I apply? Incoming freshmen should apply in the fall or early winter of senior year; current UTC students may apply to certain tracks after their first semester.
Are there extra scholarships tied to Honors? Some Honors students may be considered for special funding, but most competitive or departmental awards are handled separately through UTC’s main scholarship portal.
📎 Official Links
Final Thoughts
For many families, UTC strikes a balance between affordability and opportunity. With automatic scholarships, state programs like HOPE and UT Promise, and hidden gems such as ROTC and CyberCorps, there are multiple ways to bring the sticker price down. Pair those options with UTC’s Honors College perks and strong programs in cybersecurity, engineering, and health sciences, and students can graduate with less debt and more real-world experience. If you’re helping your student compare offers, remember that stacking aid is often the key—and UTC gives you several ways to make that possible.
✅ Last updated: September 14, 2025