Navigating Carson-Newman University Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

Carson-Newman University offers a variety of scholarships to help students finance their education. These scholarships are funded by private donors, athletic teams, and academic departments, and they are designed to recognize academic achievement, talent, and financial need. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarships available at Carson-Newman University, including eligibility requirements and application processes.

Merit-Based Academic Scholarships for Freshmen

Carson-Newman offers merit-based academic scholarships to incoming freshmen based on their high school GPA and ACT/SAT/CLT test scores (ACT/SAT/CLT optional). These scholarships are renewable for a total of 8 semesters, provided that students maintain full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 credit hours) and satisfactory academic standing each semester.

For freshmen beginning their studies in Fall 2025, the following merit scholarships are available:

Presidential Excellence Scholarship: $16,000 per academic year
Presidential Scholarship: $14,000 per academic year

For freshmen beginning their studies in Fall 2026, the following merit scholarships are available:

Presidential Excellence Scholarship: $18,000 per academic year
Presidential Scholarship: $16,000 per academic year

Carson-Newman Admissions will accept updated scores until June 15th of the respective year (2025 or 2026) for merit scholarship increase consideration. It's important to note that no student’s merit scholarship can be decreased because of a low ACT/SAT/CLT score.

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Scholarships for Transfer Students

All undergraduate transfer students seeking their first undergraduate degree and admitted to Carson-Newman are automatically considered for transfer merit-based and affiliated scholarships based on academic information at the time of acceptance. The scholarship profiles described below are based solely on the college transfer GPA. Carson-Newman offers many merit-based academic and talent scholarships funded by private donors to the University. The Excellence Scholarship is awarded to all undergraduate transfer students seeking their first undergraduate degree. Students are eligible for this scholarship if they have a transfer GPA of less than 3.00. Applicants admitted to Carson-Newman are automatically considered for the transfer merit-based and affiliated scholarships based on academic information at the time of acceptance. This scholarship is awarded based solely on the college transfer GPA.

Talent-Based Scholarships

Carson-Newman University also offers scholarships based on talent in specific areas, such as art, music, and forensics.

Art Scholarships

The Art Department offers performance-based scholarships of $1000 per year to incoming first-year students and transfer students. Students with a serious interest in attending Carson-Newman as an Art or Photography Major must submit a digital portfolio for review by the Art Department faculty.

Because these scholarships are competitive, the Art Department reviews submissions from August to February, one year prior to the first year of enrollment (for entering freshmen, portfolios should be submitted during your senior year in high school). To enable the Art Department to determine final awards and meet financial aid deadlines, portfolios should be submitted no later than the end of February. Award amounts will be determined in conjunction with other merit and financial aid awards.

The Art department faculty will review any digital portfolio submission that meets both the criteria and deadline: 10-12 pieces in any media, in either a PDF or JPG file format. An artist’s statement detailing interest in the intended field of study is encouraged, but not required.

Music Scholarships

The School of Music hosts a Department audition as an entrance requirement for prospective music majors. Additionally, they host a Tarr Full-Tuition Scholarship Competition in various areas such as instrument, voice, piano, organ, and strings (full tuition scholarship will take into consideration all other grants and scholarship eligibility first). Students planning to major in a music discipline should prepare and plan to attend the audition. An awarded student must continue as a music major and meet the required academic GPA as specified by the School of Music for renewal of scholarships. Other scholarships are also available valued at a $1000 minimum per year.

Students not majoring in music may wish to apply and participate in University Bands or University Choral Ensembles and may be eligible for Band Scholarships ($2000 per year for participation in University Bands) or Vocal Scholarships ($1000 per year for participation in University Choral Ensembles)

Forensics (Speech & Debate)

Scholarships of $1000 per year are available for students participating in the award-winning Forensics (Speech & Debate) program.

Theatre Scholarships

Scholarships of $1000 per year are available to students participating in the Theatre program.

Athletic Scholarships

Carson-Newman is an NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference and offers competitive scholarships. Awards are based on recommendations from the coach. Athletic aid will be noted on the award letter as a respective sport name. In addition to listing the aid on the award letter, the Office of Financial Aid will issue an athletic contract, detailing more specific eligibility requirements. Athletic aid may only be offered one year at a time under current NCAA rules and cannot be guaranteed as renewable for up to a specific number of years. Amounts vary.

Need-Based Grants and Scholarships

In addition to merit-based scholarships, Carson-Newman offers significant need-based grants in varied amounts each year to undergraduate students seeking their first degree. Eligible students should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for need-based University funds in addition to a merit scholarship.

Undocumented high school seniors and DACA students should work with both Admissions and Financial Aid Offices for need-based aid that may be available to you from the University. Stateside students not eligible to file the FAFSA should complete the Undocumented/DACA Student Application for Need-Based Aid.

University grants and scholarships are generally tuition based. Therefore, receipt of external funds that are also tuition based may reduce institutional grant and scholarship eligibility. Carson-Newman has a gift aid cap policy where institutional aid is considered the last dollar applied to the bill, and we reserve the right to reduce, modify, or cancel awards when aid limits are exceeded, and/or we determine at any time that a student is no longer eligible for the assistance.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Tennessee Promise Scholarship

Tennessee students in the Associate Degree Programs at Carson-Newman can participate in the Tennessee Promise program, which could provide them with extra funding for college during their Associate Degree, connect them with a mentor, and help keep them on track to earning an Associate and later a Bachelor’s degree. The Tennessee Promise Scholarship is a last dollar program in which the amount of scholarship depends on the number of credit hours in which a student is enrolled and whether the student has other federal and/or state aid eligibility.

C-N Promise Scholarship

A scholarship of $2000 per year is available for eligible students who have successfully completed their associate degree and remained TN Promise Eligible. A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA is required to receive and retain the scholarship.

Center for Community Engagement Scholarships

These scholarships represent Carson-Newman’s commitment to community service. Recipients are expected to be part of a team that will promote and foster positive community change through action.

Bonner Scholars are awarded anywhere from $2,500-$25,000 based on financial need and demonstrated commitment to community service. Amounts vary based on financial need as a Bonner Scholar.

Community Connections scholarships range from $1,500-$2,500 per year. Each of these is an annual scholarship that is not need-based. Community service hours are required to maintain eligibility for each of these scholarships.

Compass Scholarship

The Compass Scholarship is a selective scholarship opportunity exclusively available to traditional undergraduate out-of-state new freshmen and transfers who qualify with a 3.0 GPA or ACT score of 21 or higher. It is renewable for 4 years and is valued at $4500 per year. Students who are receiving a separate full tuition scholarship or Bonner scholarship are not eligible to apply, nor are contracted athletes or Intercollegiate Recreational Sports (fishing and archery). Students who wish to be considered must file the Compass Scholarship Application by the specified deadline.

Family Consumer Science New Student Scholarship

A scholarship of $1000 for the first year at C-N is offered to Family and Consumer Science majors and is non-renewable.

Honors Scholars Program

Eligible students will be sent an invitation to attend the Insignis Weekend. The top five students will receive the Honors Premier Scholarship valued at full tuition each year! Scholarship will take into consideration all other grants and scholarship eligibility first. All other students participating in the Honors program will receive a $1000 per year as an Honors Scholarship. Participation in the Insignis Weekend is required for consideration.

Jesse Baker Presidential Fellowship

This is Carson-Newman’s most distinguished academic scholarship. This fellowship is awarded to one remarkable incoming first-year student. The scholarship provides full tuition, housing, meals, books, and fees for four academic years (eight semesters) of continuous study. Eligible students will be sent an invitation to attend the Insignis Weekend, and participation in the Insignis Weekend is required for consideration.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship

A scholarship of $1000 per year is available for transfer students who have participated in Phi Theta Kappa.

Billy Kim Scholarship

The Billy Kim Scholarship is awarded annually to academically qualified students from Korea. Any recipient who qualifies shall be eligible to receive the scholarship for four successive years.

Faith & Justice Scholars Program

The Faith & Justice Scholars Program of Carson-Newman University is dedicated to nurturing students toward a life of faith-driven action in solidarity with the most marginalized and oppressed members of our world. Dedicated to compassion, nurtured through community, challenged through critical analysis, and centered on Christ, Scholars complete a minimum of 50 hours of service with a local faith-based organization in addition to 50 hours of intentional faith development each semester. Supported by local practitioners and educators, Scholars are encouraged to mature into Christlike servants of their communities, both locally and globally. This scholarship is being offered by Carson-Newman Presidential Scholarship.

External Scholarship Opportunities

General Assembly Merit Scholarship

The General Assembly Merit Scholarship is for entering freshman who have excelled in their TN high school. Must meet the HOPE Scholarship requirements and must have parents’ or independent student’s and spouse’s adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less on IRS tax form.

Dual Enrollment Grant

Grant for students currently enrolled in high school while taking post-secondary college credit. Dual Enrollment Grant Application required. Amount: Up to $1200 for the first four courses: $500 for courses 1 and 2, $200 for course 3, and $0 for course 4. Based on results from the FAFSA. Must submit FAFSA before February 1st to qualify, but state funds for this grant are limited.

Workforce Training Programs

Workforce Training is provided through TN’s career system that is divided into 13 Local Workforce Investment Areas. Carson-Newman’s Nursing program qualifies as an eligible workforce training program. Last dollar program for independent students that have not earned an associate degree or bachelor degree.

Requirements for Specific Scholarships

Several scholarships have specific requirements related to GPA, ACT scores, and other factors:

Minimum 3.5 GPA and ACT/SAT Score in the top 5% nationally. Application Due: February 15th.
Requires Minimum 21 ACT or 980 SAT or Unweighted GPA of 3.0. Amount: $4,500 freshman/sophomore year. $5,700 junior/senior year.
Minimum weighted 3.75 GPA and 29 ACT.
Minimum unweighted GPA 2.75 GPA and 18-20 ACT/860-970 SAT and must have parents’ or independent student’s and spouse’s adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less on IRS tax form.
Applicant must be a Tennessee resident and United States citizen who is an undergraduate student pursuing their first degree and who is enrolled at least half-time at an eligible Tennessee post-secondary institution.
Applicant must be from a multicultural background who will be a college freshman beginning in the fall. Application and essay about their community service involvement are required, the essay should not exceed 1,000 words.
Applicant must be a graduating senior of Collierville High school who plans to be enrolled full-time at an accredited Tennessee public, not-for-profit university or community college pursuing a career as an educator or health care professional.
Applicant must have a minimum 3.96 high school GPA and minimum composite ACT score of 30.
Applicant must have a minimum 3.85 high school GPA and composite ACT score of 26.
Applicant must have a minimum 3.64 high school GPA and minimum composite ACT score of 23.
Applicant must have a minimum 3.29 high school GPA and minimum composite ACT score of 21.
Applicant must have a minimum 2.69 GPA and minimum composite ACT score of 20.

Important Considerations

University grants and scholarships are generally tuition based. Therefore, receipt of external funds that are also tuition based may reduce institutional grant and scholarship eligibility.
Carson-Newman has a gift aid cap policy where institutional aid is considered the last dollar applied to the bill, and the university reserves the right to reduce, modify, or cancel awards when aid limits are exceeded, and/or it is determined at any time that a student is no longer eligible for the assistance.
Talk to your Admissions Representative about your merit scholarship and any other questions you may have.

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