Unlocking Opportunities: A Guide to Scholarships at Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University (TSU) stands as a beacon of opportunity, fostering excellence and rewarding it through a variety of scholarships. This article provides a comprehensive guide to the scholarships available at TSU, from merit-based awards to those supporting specific fields of study and student populations.

Merit Scholarships for Academic Excellence

TSU introduces a range of Institutional Merit Scholarships designed to recognize exceptional academic achievement and leadership. The Office of Institutional Merit Scholarships does not have an individual application to complete. Complete your application by responding to the Offer of Admission in your Future Tiger portal. Once all required documents have been received, weighted GPAs and test scores will be reviewed to determine scholarship eligibility.

During the Fall 2025-2026 scholarship cycle, Tennessee State University began awarding its first tier of institutional merit scholarships in December 2024, continuing through July 2025. Once the initial round of scholarships reached capacity, a secondary set of merit scholarships was introduced to ensure additional opportunities for qualifying students.

Presidential Scholars Merit Scholarship

The Presidential Scholars Merit Scholarship represents Tennessee State University’s highest academic honor-awarded to a select group of exceptional first-time freshmen who demonstrate outstanding academic performance, leadership, and commitment to excellence. Applicants must first complete and submit their official TSU Admissions Application and gain admission to the University. a minimum ACT composite score of 28 or SAT score of 1300.

Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. Merit Scholarship

The Dr. Levi Watkins Merit Scholarship honors the legacy of Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. - pioneering heart surgeon, civil‐rights trailblazer, and distinguished alumnus of Tennessee State University. Through this prestigious award, TSU invests in exceptional first‐time freshmen whose academic achievement and commitment to healthcare service reflect the vision Dr. enrolling as first‐time freshmen at TSU and must submit an official admissions application to the University, as well as the scholarship application which includes a 500-750 word essay describing their aspirations in medicine, dentistry, or allied health and how they plan to contribute to underserved communities. Award recipients benefit from a comprehensive scholarship package covering tuition, fees, room and board, and-where applicable-the unlimited meal plan + dining bucks. This scholarship is more than financial support-it opens the door to mentorship, research opportunities, physician shadowing, and an accelerated pathway toward professional healthcare schools. As a Watkins Scholar at TSU, you join a select cohort committed to excellence, innovation, and service to humanity.

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TSU Renaissance Scholarship

The TSU Renaissance Scholarship celebrates academic excellence and leadership among high-achieving first-time freshmen and international students. a composite ACT score of 28 or higher (or SAT 1300 or higher), this award recognizes students who exemplify the transformative spirit of Tennessee State University. Recipients receive $5,500 (in-state) or $8,500 (out-of-state) annually, contributing toward the total cost of attendance.

1912 Heritage Scholarship

Honoring the proud legacy of TSU’s founding year, the 1912 Heritage Scholarship recognizes students whose academic dedication and character reflect the values upon which the University was built. ACT score of 25-27 (or SAT 1200-1290). Recipients are awarded $4,500 (in-state) or $6,500 (out-of-state) annually toward educational costs.

TSU Torch Scholars Scholarship

The TSU Torch Scholars Scholarship recognizes promising first-time freshmen and international students who show determination, perseverance, and academic potential. Open to applicants with a weighted GPA between 3.0-3.24 ACT score of 20-24 (or SAT 1030-1190), this award provides $3,500 (in-state) or $4,500 (out-of-state) annually. Designed to empower the next generation of leaders, this scholarship supports students in their pursuit of excellence while embodying the TSU motto, “Think. Work.

Tiger Academic Achievement Scholarship

The Tiger Academic Achievement Scholarship recognizes high-achieving incoming first-time freshmen who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and potential for success at Tennessee State University. The Tier Two Tiger Academic Achievement Scholarship rewards promising first-time freshmen who show strong academic dedication and determination.

Transfer Tiger Academic Achievement Scholarship

The Transfer Tiger Academic Achievement Scholarship recognizes the academic excellence of transfer students joining Tennessee State University from accredited colleges and universities within Tennessee. Awards are based on the student’s cumulative college GPA, rewarding those who have shown consistent success in their college coursework. The Transfer/International Tiger Academic Achievement Scholarship celebrates outstanding academic performance among out-of-state transfer and international students. Eligible students must hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, with optional submission of ACT (19+) or SAT (1000-1120+) scores.

Tiger Transfer Scholarship

The Tiger Transfer Scholarship rewards excellence among transfer and international transfer students who are entering in the fall semester have demonstrated strong academic performance at their previous institution. Eligible students must hold a minimum cumulative college GPA of 3.0 and submit all official transcripts for review. Recipients receive $3,000 per academic year (in-state and out-of-state).

MNPS Trailblazer Scholarship

The MNPS Trailblazer Scholarship was created to recognize and reward outstanding graduates of Metro Nashville Public Schools who are ready to lead the way at Tennessee State University. Open exclusively to in-state, first-time freshmen, this scholarship supports students with a HOPE GPA of 3.0 or higher or an ACT score of 21 or higher (SAT 1060 or higher). This prestigious award covers full tuition and mandatory fees, empowering Nashville’s brightest scholars to continue their educational journey close to home at TSU-where excellence begins.

External Scholarship Opportunities

Beyond TSU's institutional scholarships, several external organizations offer scholarships to students attending universities in Tennessee, including TSU.

Engineering and Related Fields

American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Nashville: Awards multiple scholarships each year, ranging from $1500 to $5000 each, to students in Tennessee Universities.
SAME Nashville Post Scholarship: American Military Engineers: Typically awards two $2,000 scholarships to junior, senior and graduate Civil Engineering students. This scholarship supports students who are pursuing an accredited education in engineering, architecture, mathematics, computer science and related fields.
ASCE Nashville Branch Scholarship: Typically awards three $2,000 scholarships to junior, senior and graduate Civil Engineering students who demonstrate the quality and standard that meet the goals of the ASCE Nashville Branch.
TRBA Board of Directors Scholarships: Budgeted two $1500 scholarships to be awarded at Tennessee State University for the referenced academic year.
Tennessee Engineering Foundation (TEF) Scholarship: The TEF was established by a group of engineering organizations to advance and support the engineering profession in the State of Tennessee. citizen pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an engineering or land surveying program in Tennessee in a department that has at least one ABET-accredited program. Students must be entering their junior, senior, fifth, or graduate year in the fall semester to qualify.
CASE Scholarship: Candidates for the CASE scholarship (a national scholarship) must be enrolled in a Master’s degree program for Structural Engineering in the fall semester. Graduate students must submit both undergraduate and graduate transcripts. A student’s interest and commitment to the business and management of the profession are factors that will be considered and students are encouraged to reflect that throughout the application.
Highway Industry Scholarships: The scholarships under this program are available for those students seeking a career in the highway industry. Interested college or technical school students who are studying highway industry related subjects at a college or technical school in Tennessee are eligible.

State-Funded Financial Aid Programs

Tennessee offers several state-funded financial aid programs to assist students in affording higher education.

Tennessee Promise: Provides students a mentor and a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or the Tennessee Student Assistance Award.
Tennessee Reconnect: As a last-dollar scholarship, Tennessee Reconnect will provide whatever amount remains after your Pell, HOPE, TSAA, and other financial aid funds are applied, up to $4,200.
Tennessee Student Assistance Award Program (TSAA): Provides non-repayable financial assistance to financially needy undergraduate students who are residents of Tennessee. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment, at least half time, at a public or an eligible non-public postsecondary institution in Tennessee.
Dependent Children Scholarship Program: Provides aid for Tennessee residents who are dependent children of a Tennessee law enforcement officer, fireman, or an emergency medical service technician who has been killed or totally and permanently disabled while performing duties within the scope of such employment. The parent must be a Tennessee resident and have been on duty when the incident occurred.
Ned McWherter Scholars Program: Intended to encourage academically superior Tennessee high school graduates to attend college in Tennessee. have a minimum composite score of 29 on the ACT or 1280 on the SAT (math and critical reading only).
Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant: Provides financial aid to students who were in state custody at any time after reaching thirteen (13) years of age. The Grant awards student attending an eligible public postsecondary institution with funding to cover the cost of attendance less any gift aid with the total award not exceeding the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at an eligible postsecondary institution.
Tennessee Future Teacher Scholarship: Intended to encourage exemplary students to enter the teaching field in Tennessee.
Dual Enrollment Grant Program: Funded by the Tennessee Lottery and administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation.
Tennessee STRONG Act: Provides opportunities for eligible members of the TN National Guard to receive funding for tuition while earning their first bachelor’s degree over the next four years.

Additional Scholarship Resources

South College Scholarships: South College is proud to offer grant and scholarship opportunities to residents of Tennessee for those that qualify.
University Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, demonstrated leadership abilities, economic need, and a demonstrated interest in becoming a teacher. This scholarship is intended to assist and support a Tennessee resident who has demonstrated a commitment to a career in educating the youth of Tennessee.

Application Process and Important Information

TSU Scholarship Application: Students must be admitted to TSU to complete the online scholarship application. University scholarship applications are available October 1st each year for the upcoming academic year.
FAFSA: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the upcoming academic year.
General Application: To be considered for any available funds, students must complete the General Application.
Deadlines: The deadline for application for Tennessee Reconnect is set by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation each year. Apply early to receive priority consideration for University and Foundation scholarships.
Disbursement: Scholarships are applied equally between the fall and spring semesters, unless written notification from the donor is received to apply differently.

Named Scholarships

TSU also offers a variety of named scholarships, each with its own unique criteria and focus. These include:

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A C Wharton Jr.
Andrew D.
Audrey B.
Beta Omicron Alvin W. Marley/Damon Lee Jr.
Beta Omicron Hershel J.
Carrie Dunn Denney and Lillian D.
Category 59 S.O.C.
Charles H. Dungey Jr.
Clarice R.
Clyde Bond Sr. and Gladys S.
Colonel James W., Brandon J., LaRhonda J. and LaShonda J.
Dennis E.

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