Each year, thousands of Tennessee residents seek a college education, but the high cost of tuition can deter many students from pursuing their academic goals. Financial aid often does not cover the total cost of attendance, leading many students to turn to loans. While loans provide access to higher education, they also come with the burden of debt. In the United States, outstanding student loan debt equals a staggering $1.67 trillion.
Students in Tennessee can reduce their debt by finding scholarships. In 2020, 56.9% of Tennessee public high school graduates enrolled in postsecondary institutions. As more students choose to attend college, the need for scholarships has become more prevalent. Scholarships provide crucial financial assistance, helping Tennessee college students achieve their educational dreams.
Top 10 Scholarships for Tennessee Students
- Stephen LeCornu Routh Memorial Scholarship
- This scholarship provides funding to a high school senior or undergraduate student in Tennessee studying to become an engineer. Applicants should demonstrate financial need, academic achievement, leadership qualities, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to service.
- Dynamic Edge Women in STEM Scholarship
- This scholarship supports high school or undergraduate students in Tennessee and Michigan who plan to pursue STEM degrees or certifications. Dynamic Edge, a leading IT services provider, is keen to support local communities in innovative ways.
- Gary “G” Goldstein Scholarship
- Awarded to one male and one female wrestler planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Applicants must be Tennessee residents and current high school students.
- Law Family Single Parent Scholarship
- This scholarship supports single parents pursuing a college degree. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and a commitment to their education.
- Latinas in STEM Scholarship
- This scholarship supports Hispanic women in Tennessee pursuing STEM degrees. Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence and a passion for their chosen field.
- Noah Jon Markstrom Foundation Scholarship
- This scholarship provides financial assistance to students in Tennessee pursuing higher education. Preference is given to students demonstrating resilience and determination in overcoming personal challenges.
- @ESPDaniella Debt Grant
- This grant helps recent graduates in Tennessee pay off their student loan debt. Applicants should demonstrate financial need and a commitment to their careers.
- Larry Darnell Green Scholarship
- This scholarship supports students in Tennessee who have shown a dedication to community service and leadership. Applicants should demonstrate financial need and academic achievement.
- Jake Thomas Williams Memorial Scholarship
- This scholarship honors the memory of Jake Thomas Williams by supporting high school seniors in Tennessee who plan to attend college. Applicants should demonstrate academic excellence and community involvement.
- Expand Your Horizons Scholarship
- This scholarship encourages high school students in Tennessee to pursue their educational goals. Applicants should demonstrate a passion for learning and a commitment to their future.
Tennessee Students and Student Debt
Each year, thousands of Tennessee residents seek a college education. However, the high cost of tuition can deter many students from pursuing an education. For many Tennessee students, financial aid often does not cover the total cost of university attendance. Some students may turn to loans to help offset college expenses. While loans offer easy access to higher education, they leave borrowers with the heavy financial burdens of debt. In the United States, outstanding student loan debt equals a whopping $1.67 trillion.
Students in Tennessee can reduce their debt by finding scholarships. In 2020, 56.9% of Tennessee public high school graduates enrolled in a postsecondary institution. As more students choose to attend college, the need for scholarships has become more prevalent. Scholarship programs provide a key form of financial assistance to Tennessee college students.
Colleges in Tennessee
Tennessee is home to 172 colleges and universities with a diverse set of enrolled students. A significant portion of students enroll in university part-time, ranging from 18% at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center to 43% at the University of Memphis.
In total, there are 338,382 undergraduate and graduate students studying in Tennessee. Of these students, 58,386 are Black, 18,784 are Hispanic, and 9,610 are Asian. Scholarships are an important way to further increase this diversity among Tennessee students.
Costs of Higher Education in Tennessee
Despite having a high school graduation rate of 87.5%, only 27.3% of Tennessee residents over 25 hold a bachelor’s degree. In Tennessee, it costs the average college student $20,360 a year to enroll in school. From the 2018-19 to 2019-20 school years, tuition increased by 3.83%. Even when students try to save money by attending local community colleges, they pay 108.43% more in Tennessee than the national average. The rising cost of higher education acts as a barrier and prevents residents from attaining valuable degrees.
Student Loans in Tennessee
Tennessee students with financial needs can feel forced to resort to student loans. The average student loan debt per borrower is $28,821 in Tennessee, and 75% of Tennessee graduates had student loan debt in 2019. Student loans offer much-needed support for students as they begin their career journey, but there are other ways to make a college education affordable. There’s no need to worry about being unable to afford access to higher education as many scholarship opportunities exist to provide financial aid for students.
Additional Scholarships That Students in Tennessee Should Consider
Students in Tennessee should also apply for other general scholarships that will award eligible students with funds to cover their college expenses. By looking at the list below and searching through various scholarship catalogs, students can find many niche scholarships to pay for their education.
- Law Family Single Parent Scholarship
- Latinas in STEM Scholarship
- Noah Jon Markstrom Foundation Scholarship
- @ESPDaniella Debt Grant
- Larry Darnell Green Scholarship
- Jake Thomas Williams Memorial Scholarship
- Expand Your Horizons Scholarship
- Moriah Janae Dance Grant
- REVIVAL Scholarship
- Saroya Byrd Legacy Scholarship
- HSINTELLIGENCE Minority / Indigenous Nurse Leader Scholarship
- Pablo M. Ortiz Scholarship Fund
- Benoit Migambi Chronic and Neurological Diseases Scholarship
- William M. DeSantis Sr. Scholarship
- Learner Education Women in Mathematics Scholarship
- Toluna Influencers No-Essay Scholarship
- Hispanic Empowerment No-Essay Scholarship
- Suzie’s Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
- Abby’s First-Generation College Student Scholarship
- Grandmaster Nam K Hyong Scholarship
Scholarships for High School Students in Tennessee
High school students should begin applying for scholarships early so that they can save themselves from future financial stress. Students can begin looking for scholarships even before starting the college admissions process. Listed below are four scholarships that are perfect for current high school students.
- Expand Your Horizons Scholarship
- Moriah Janae Dance Grant
- Learner Education Women in Mathematics Scholarship
- Suzie’s Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
Scholarships for High School Seniors in Tennessee
Scholarships allow high school seniors to overcome obstacles that would have stood in the way of their education by giving them the ability to plan for their future success. As high school seniors prepare their career plans, they should apply to the scholarship programs below.
- Jake Thomas Williams Memorial Scholarship
- Abby’s First-Generation College Student Scholarship
Scholarships for College Students in Tennessee
Students currently enrolled in university coursework can find many scholarships geared towards them. Many scholarship programs are available to specific classifications of students, like college juniors, while others are open to students of any year. Scholarships like the ones listed below can be especially helpful for financially needy undergraduate students.
- Noah Jon Markstrom Foundation Scholarship
- William M. DeSantis Sr. Scholarship
- Pablo M. Ortiz Scholarship Fund
- Toluna Influencers No-Essay Scholarship
Scholarships for Graduate Students in Tennessee
Students who hope to attend graduate school or are currently in graduate school can still find scholarships they are eligible for. University students can still secure scholarship awards to help pay off current and future expenses. Instead of being burdened by finances, students can set their focus on school by qualifying for scholarship awards.
- @ESPDaniella Debt Grant
- Benoit Migambi Chronic and Neurological Diseases Scholarship
Hispanic Scholarships in Tennessee
There are many scholarships established to support and uplift Hispanic and Latino students in Tennessee. Traditionally underrepresented groups must get the support they need to afford an education and promote diversity in higher education. Scholarships are a great way to encourage talented minority Tennesseans to not be limited by financial constraints.
- Latinas in STEM Scholarship
- HSINTELLIGENCE Minority / Indigenous Nurse Leader Scholarship
- Hispanic Empowerment No-Essay Scholarship
- Grandmaster Nam K Hyong Scholarship
Scholarships for Single Moms in Tennessee
Being a single parent is already difficult to manage, so single moms can view attaining a college degree as unachievable. Thankfully, there are many scholarship opportunities available to single mothers that will allow them to complete their education.
- Law Family Single Parent Scholarship
- Larry Darnell Green Scholarship
- REVIVAL Scholarship
- Saroya Byrd Legacy Scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee Scholarships
How can I apply for scholarships in Tennessee? To apply for scholarships in Tennessee, students need only to make a free account on scholarship platforms like Bold.org. After creating an account, students can search through the abundance of available scholarships or click on any of the linked scholarships above to begin the application process. Simply follow the instructions on each scholarship, click “Apply to scholarship,” and complete the application.
Each scholarship has its own unique set of requirements. Eligible applicants should thoroughly read through a scholarship’s information section before applying. The application materials themselves can also vary. Some scholarships require only a complete profile on the platform to apply, while others require multiple essays.
With the broad range of scholarships available, students don’t have to rely on federal student aid or worry about how they will pay for schooling.