Navigating Transfer Scholarships at MTSU: A Comprehensive Guide

For students considering transferring to Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), understanding the available scholarships and their requirements is crucial. MTSU offers a variety of scholarships to support transfer students in achieving their academic goals. This article provides a detailed overview of MTSU's transfer scholarship landscape, covering eligibility criteria, specific scholarship programs, and application processes.

General Transfer Admission Requirements

Before diving into specific scholarship opportunities, it's important to understand the general requirements for transfer admission to MTSU. To be eligible for admission, transfer students must:

Earn 24 or more semester hours with a 2.00 or higher cumulative grade point average (GPA) from all post-secondary institutions attended.
Meet the freshman guaranteed admission standards if they have earned less than 24 hours (or less than 35 quarter hours) AND have a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Not have been enrolled in any post-secondary institution in the 12 months preceding the term for which they are applying.
Complete the application for admission and pay the nonrefundable $25 application fee. Students who have previously applied and paid the application fee do not need to submit a second application fee. These students need to contact the Undergraduate Admissions office to update their application if updating to the next semester.
Request transcripts from all institutions (high school and college). High school and college officials may use any electronic transcript service to send transcripts. Students applying for the spring semester must apply by December 15 and submit final transcripts as soon as available.

A minimum of 25 percent of credit for each degree awarded by MTSU must be earned through offerings by the University. The Admissions Office does not offer a course-by-course evaluation of credit if students have already earned a bachelor’s degree.

Based on valid ACT/SAT sub scores or transcript information, transfer students may be required to enroll in prescribed courses. Students with ACT scores lower than 19 in reading or math or lower than 18 in English are required to register in prescribed courses. Students with SAT scores, taken prior to March 2016, lower than 460 in mathematics or lower than 460 in critical reading/writing have prescribed course requirements. Students with SAT scores, taken March 2016 or after, lower than 510 in mathematics or lower than 510 in reading and/or lower than 500 in English have prescribed course requirement. Students without valid ACT/SAT scores and who have not earned college level mathematics or English credits have the option to take the Academic Assessment Placement Test, or be placed in the first level of the appropriate required prescribed courses.

Students transferring new credits (regardless of term completed) will have grades posted with a leading ‘T’ (began Summer 2015). Transfer credits will not be calculated in certain GPAs such as the Overall GPA used for graduation or the Overall Combined GPA used for retention.

Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) for Transfer Students

The Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) is a significant financial aid opportunity for eligible Tennessee residents. Transfer students can potentially qualify for TELS, with specific provisions for non-traditional students and those who participated in the Tennessee Reconnect Grant program.

Non-Traditional HOPE Scholarship

Students who are at least 25 when they begin college (or when they reenter college after a break of at least 2 years) may qualify for a lottery scholarship of $3,500 per year. If a student initially qualifies for a lottery scholarship under non-traditional rules, they will continue to be eligible for the award as long as they meet continuing eligibility requirements and have an Adjusted Gross Income of $36,000 or less on the FAFSA.

Tennessee Reconnect Grant Pathway

Transfer students to MTSU who are not currently or were not age 25 or older at the point of enrolling at MTSU, but were eligible to receive the Tennessee Reconnect Grant while earning an Associate Degree at an eligible Tennessee community college, are offered a pathway to Non-Traditional HOPE Scholarship eligibility.

Students Entering Active Duty

A student who entered active duty within two years after high school graduation may be eligible for TELS. The award amount is $1,000 per semester for students enrolled in 12 or more hours. The award amount is $500 per semester for students enrolled in 6 - 11 hours.

MTSU Transfer Promise Scholarship

The MTSU Transfer Promise Scholarship is specifically designed to support first-time incoming transfer students. Key details of this scholarship include:

Eligibility: Students must be first-time incoming transfers planning to enroll at MTSU in the Summer or Fall semester. Students with a previous bachelor’s degree are not eligible.
Application: Application for admission MUST be completed by the Feb. No separate scholarship application is required for the Transfer Promise scholarship.
Notification: Student will receive notification of the scholarship offer once they have met all of the requirements, including GPA & earned hours, IF they submitted all of the necessary paperwork by the February 15th deadline.
Award Period: Students can start in the Summer term and receive the award, but the award does not start until the Fall term. Students can receive this scholarship for up to two years (or 4 semesters) as long as the scholarship renewal eligibility requirements are met after each semester. Continuing Scholarship eligibility is checked after every Fall and Spring semester.
Multiple Scholarships: In the event that MTSU offers multiple scholarships to a student (including scholarships awarded through other departments but funded by the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office, including the Transfer Promise Scholarship, the Honors Transfer Fellowship and the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship), only one scholarship can be accepted. Students who are offered two scholarships will be awarded the higher of the two.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

MTSU offers a wide array of scholarships, including endowed and departmental scholarships. The university awards approximately 700 endowed and other scholarships to approximately 2000 students each year through special programs sponsored by various academic and administrative departments. Application processes vary from department to department. Most scholarships have an application deadline of March 1.

The Scholarship Application opens up every year on October 1st and closes March 1st. To complete the scholarship application, go to www.mtsu.edu/scholarships/opportunities and login using your PipelineMT username and password. Information regarding four of our most popular areas of interest are noted below.

Departmental Scholarships

Many departments within MTSU offer scholarships specifically for students pursuing degrees in those fields. Here are some examples:

Army ROTC Scholarships: Awarded to ROTC program participants by the Military Science department.
Music Scholarships: Competitive music scholarships are awarded to both music and non-music majors for instrumental or vocal performance. Band scholarships are also available.
Student-Athlete Scholarships: Awarded by the coaches of that particular sport.

Honors College Scholarships

The Honors College at MTSU provides unique scholarship opportunities for high-achieving transfer students.

Buchanan Transfer Fellowship: The Honors College offers the Buchanan Transfer Fellowship, named after MTSU’s Nobel Prize-winning alumnus, Dr. James M. Buchanan. Each year, 30 students entering their junior year receive this top honor. Students may apply with fewer hours if they anticipate completing 60 hours by the fall. Students who plan to transfer should be aware of the deadline.
Honors Centennial Scholarships: Since the Honors Centennial Scholarships are not available every year, check the information below to see if a Centennial Scholarship is offered for the upcoming academic year.

Provides $4000 per year ($2000 each semester, excluding summer) and is renewable for 5 years, provided the recipient is on track for Honors College graduation and has maintained the requisite MTSU GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students must maintain a 3.25 college GPA for the freshman scholarship.

Read also: Graduate Student Guide

College of Liberal Arts Scholarships

The College of Liberal Arts offers various scholarship opportunities to current students, including transfer students.

Dr. Yvonne “Bonnie” Slatton Scholarship: This scholarship recognizes the achievements of Dr. Yvonne “Bonnie” Slatton, an outstanding female academician, in hopes of inspiring others to pursue a degree with an interest in a Liberal Arts discipline.
Study Abroad Scholarships: Funding is for participation in an education abroad experience. Such experience can be for a traditional course but does not have to be limited to only credit-bearing experiences. For example, independent research, an internship, archaeological field school, or an immersive language program would be acceptable.
The Geraldine Sayward Scholarship: The Geraldine Sayward Scholarship will be awarded to the student of any major in the College of Liberal Arts preparing for an International Education Abroad experience who has shown excellence in academics and who best exemplifies the personal attributes of Geraldine, which include her passion for international travel abroad and lifelong learning.
Mary Foye Huhta Scholarship: Recognizing the professional contributions of Mary Foye Huhta and the desire to encourage others to emulate her achievements, women and minorities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Darin and Shawn Gordon Scholarship: This endowment was established for the purpose of providing scholarships to students in the College of Liberal Arts at Middle Tennessee State University. Preference will also be afforded to those majoring in Political Science.

Other Notable Scholarships

Displaced Homemaker Scholarship: In the 1980’s, recognizing the unique needs of older students who have put off their education to raise a family, AAIA began the Displaced Homemaker Scholarship to assist men and women who are attending school for the first time or returning to school to complete their education after taking a break to raise their family. Single parent students, parent students who have worked in a particular field and have lost a job due to downsizing, or parent students who and are seeking additional education so that they may better provide for their family are also considered.
Kazimour Scholarships: Dr. Kim Kazimour and ANTSHE (Association of Nontraditional Students in Higher Education) sponsor the annual Kazimour Scholarships. The purpose of ANTSHE Scholarships is to assist nontraditional students in their college education. ANTSHE awards scholarships in varying amounts each academic year. Applicants are required to be enrolled full-time or plan to enroll for the academic year at an accredited college or university in a four-year undergraduate program of study.
Non-Traditional Student Scholarship: The American Legion Auxiliary’s goal is to do all we can to make that happen, and that’s what the Non-Traditional Student Scholarship is all about. This scholarship helps people who are part of The Legion Family pursue a college degree later in life or allow them to pick up where they left off when their studies were interrupted.
New Horizons Scholarships: RNA’s “nontraditional” scholarship program provides educational support to members who don’t fall into the usual college age range.
Career Advancement Scholarship Program: The BPW Foundation created the Career Advancement Scholarship Program to award financial assistance to disadvantaged women who want to further their education.

Specific Scholarship Details

Below are more specific details on a variety of scholarships available, categorized for clarity. Please note that application requirements and deadlines may vary.

Scholarships with County or Location Preferences

Albert L. Christine O’Brien Roddy & A. F. Ernestine N.: First preference shall go to students from Rutherford and/or Cannon Counties in Tennessee. Should an eligible student not be identified from Rutherford or Cannon County, then students from counties contiguous to Rutherford and Cannon Counties shall receive preference.
Bennie R.: Applicants must be a resident of Warren County, TN. In addition, the applicant must be a "deserving student." Incoming freshmen, incoming transfers, and current MTSU students for the upcoming Summer or Fall semester in good standing with the University may be considered.
Bertha and J. W.: Applicants must be an incoming freshman for the upcoming Summer or Fall semester, and a resident of Marshall County, TN.
Betty L.: Applicants must be graduate of Cannon County high school in Tennessee, and also must reside in Cannon County in Tennessee at time award offer is made.
Betty P.: Applicants must be an incoming freshman for the upcoming Summer or Fall semester who graduated from Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, TN.
C.: Applicants must be a current junior or senior (60+ earned credit hours) at MTSU who demonstrates good moral character, have financial need, and are currently pursuing a major in public service (such as Nursing, Education, Computer Science or Pre-Med). Applicants must also have at least a 2.50 cumulative MTSU GPA, and be from a middle Tennessee county.
Colonel W.: First preference shall be given to students who graduated from high school in Trousdale County (TN), Macon County (TN), or Smith County (TN).
Colonel W.: Applicants must be an incoming freshman for the upcoming Summer or Fall semester, must have 3.50 cumulative GPA, must have minimum ACT score of 29 (SAT score of 1330), must have graduated from Rutherford County, TN high school, and must live in Rutherford County, TN. Students must also demonstrate leadership, athletic and/or extracurricular activities. Students must be pursuing a field of study in pre-professional health care (i.e. medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, etc) or traditional sciences. In addition, a minimum of 2 letters of recommendation are required to be considered for this scholarship.
Incoming Freshman: Incoming Freshman must have graduated from a Rutherford County high school with a 2.80 GPA or higher AND a minimum 21 on the ACT (1060 SAT). All other applicants must have a 2.50 cumulative GPA.

Scholarships Related to Academic Programs or Departments

AFCM (AW) John P.: Applicants shall be enrolled as a full-time student (12 hours or more), accepted or enrolled in the MTSU Aerospace department in the maintenance program. Recipients shall have a 2.5 grade point average or greater based upon a 4.0 scale and preferably have completed 60 hours.
Andrew C.: Must be a full time RIM major with 75 credit hours, at least 12 hours of RIM credit, and have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Applicants shall be enrolled in the Master of Science in Professional Science program with a concentration in biotechnology.
Attie E.: Applicants must be an student who graduated from a Bedford County, Tennessee high school with a 3.00 GPA.
Benjamin B. McCeney, Jr.: Applicants must be an incoming freshman for the upcoming Summer or Fall semester who is pursuing a College of Education major. Preference given to applicants who attended Homer Pittard Campus Elementary School in Murfreesboro, TN. Next preference is given to applicants who graduated from a Grundy County High School.
Recipient must be a post-candidacy recording industry major at Middle Tennessee State University. Preference is to be given to a member of Omega Delta Psi who is in financial need with a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0. If a student in financial need cannot be identified, the financial need criterion may be waived.
Recipient must be a full-time RIM Major and must be eligible for internship program. Applicant must submit a typed one page letter addressed to the Department Chair, stating your desire to be considered for this scholarship award, where you will be interning, and your current career goals.
Brian T.: Recipient must be a full-time Aerospace student with minimum 3.0 GPA.
Candidates must meet the following criteria: Have a declared major or minor within the Recording Industry Department in the College of Media and Entertainment.
Charles E. Charles F. & Ethel E.: To apply, students must complete the General Scholarship Application and the English Scholarship Application.
Charles R.: Recipient must be a Junior or Senior majoring in Journalism.
Douglas E.: Applicants shall be a journalism major, have a 2.7 grade point average, and be classified as a sophomore or higher. The editor of Sidelines and editors of other student run publications shall automatically be candidates to receive this scholarship. Applicants may submit up to three (3) samples of their writing for the committee in support of their application.
Applicants must be a full-time student making SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress) with at least a 3.00 GPA
The recipient shall be a major in the Recording Industry program.
Must be Junior or Senior majoring in Recording Industry. Applicants with 2.5 - 2.9 GPA are eligible for scholarship with two letters of recommendation from Recording Industry faculty members.
The student must be a currently enrolled undergraduate majoring in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, must be in the Journalism concentration, and must have a 3.2 G.P.A. at the time of the scholarship application.
The Recording Industry Dept. will award ARA scholarships to the outstanding music business student and the outstanding production & technology student each year.
Preference will be given to students pursuing a degree in Mathematics with the intent to teach mathematics.

Scholarships with Specific Requirements

Bella W.: Funds can be used at bookstore to purchase textbooks, any course required or related materials such as backpacks, calculator, notebooks, pens, pencils, paper, etc. To apply, students must complete the General Scholarship Application.
Applicants must demonstrate financial need, have endured hardships, and be enrolled full-time every semester.
David W.: Applicants must be a non-traditional (adult) student who is currently enrolled at MTSU, is at least 25 years old, and has taken at least 1 distance learning course. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and have at least 60 hours at the time scholarship eligibility is determined.
Applicants must have earned The Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America, and must provide a copy of their Eagle Scout card or certificate. Applicants must also Undergraduate student enrolled full-time & must not be receiving public and/or private scholarship funds that are in excess of their tuition/fees for the semester of award.

General Eligibility Requirements

Many scholarships share common eligibility requirements, such as:

Applicants must be an incoming freshman, incoming transfer, or current MTSU student for the upcoming Summer or Fall semester.
Applicants must be in good standing with the University.
Applicants must demonstrate leadership and community service.
Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
Applicants must be a Tennessee resident with at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA. Applicants must also be enrolled full-time as a undergraduate student who is at least classified as a Junior (60 earned credit hours). Applicants can't be receiving any public/private scholarship that is equal or greater than the cost of tuition, such as Buchanan Fellowship.

Application Procedures and Deadlines

The application process for MTSU scholarships generally involves completing the General Scholarship Application, available at www.mtsu.edu/scholarships/opportunities. The Scholarship Application typically opens on October 1st and closes around February 15th or March 1st, depending on the specific scholarship. It's crucial to check the specific deadlines for each scholarship of interest.

For some scholarships, additional materials may be required, such as essays, letters of recommendation, or portfolios.

Resources for Veterans

MTSU is committed to supporting veterans and their families. The Daniels Center is the largest and most comprehensive veterans center on any Tennessee higher education campus. It enables the over 1000 military-connected student population on campus to have a one-stop shop to meet a variety of academic needs. The Daniels Center can assist veterans (and their families) with a number of student needs, including financial aid and academic advising.

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