Incoming Freshman Academic Scholarships

Middle Tennessee State University's commitment to providing talented students with academic scholarships continues to grow. Scholarships for new students for the 2009-2010 academic year are listed below. Students who are interested in the following scholarships must have an admission application, official ACT and/or SAT test scores, and an official sixth-semester transcript on file in the Admissions Office. Priority consideration will be given to students who apply for admission and submit test scores and transcripts by December 1, 2008. However, students who apply for admission by February 15, 2009, may be considered if funding is available. ACT and SAT scores through the December test date will be considered for scholarship purposes.

Scholarship Overview

Guaranteed Academic Scholarships

Students who apply by the priority deadline and meet minimum eligibility requirements for the following awards will be offered a scholarship as long as funding as available.

Other Incoming Freshman Scholarships

The following awards are competitive and are not guaranteed. Students must submit a scholarship application and/or required paperwork to be considered. Students who meet minimum eligibility requirements will be offered a scholarship only if selected as a recipient.

(Please Note: The following initial eligibility requirements apply to the guaranteed academic scholarships but are not applicable to the competitive awards.  Competitive scholarships such as the Buchanan Fellowship and DREAM Scholarship require applications and may have different initial eligibility requirements.  Please read the scholarship descriptions and visit the websites for more information about these competitive awards.)

Initial Eligibility Criteria

• Deadline for priority consideration is December 1.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• No scholarship application is required; all incoming freshmen who apply by the priority deadline will be considered.
• Unless noted, scholarships are granted for a maximum of 8 semesters.
• Scholarships are not available during the summer term.
• Only students who receive scholarships will be notified. Award letters will be sent beginning in December 2008, and will include a Scholarship Agreement which must be signed and returned.
• The awarding of scholarships is based on the availability of funds and the criteria set forth by the appropriate governing bodies, and is subject to change.
• In the event that MTSU offers multiple scholarships to a student, only scholarship from the MTSU Financial Aid Office can be accepted. Students who are offered two scholarships will be awarded the higher of the two. A student may receive a university scholarship in addition to a Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship.
• A student’s total aid including scholarships cannot exceed his or her budgeted Cost of Attendance. For more information, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (615) 898-2830.

Continuing Eligibility Criteria

• Scholarship recipients are required to complete 75 hours of service to MTSU each semester (except as noted). Five service hours per week will be completed in an academic or administrative department. Please visit http://scholarships.web.mtsu.edu/ssp.htm for information about the Scholarship Service Program at MTSU.
• Students must earn an MTSU GPA of 2.75 after the first semester and 3.0 cumulative GPA after each subsequent semester, except as noted.
• Students must enroll full-time every fall and spring semester.
• If a student is unable to meet continuing eligibility criteria due to extenuating circumstances, he or she may appeal to regain eligibility by submitting supporting documentation. If a student is unable to meet the GPA requirement, he or she may appeal to regain eligibility when he or she is meeting GPA requirements again. Reinstatement of the scholarship is dependent on funding and is not guaranteed, regardless of circumstances or GPA.

Buchanan Fellowship

The Buchanan Fellowship represents the highest award given to an entering student in the University Honors College. Twenty applicants are chosen as Buchanan Fellows and they receive: 1) full payment of tuition and fees even if tuition rises in the future; coverage of out-of-state fees where applicable; (2) a $1000 per year book allowance; (3) consideration for study abroad scholarships; (4) access to the resources of the Undergraduate Fellowships Office; (5) access to Honors College special lectures and events; and (6) support for admissions preparation to graduate and professional schools. For more information and an application, please contact the University Honors College at 615-898-2152 or visit their website at http://honors.web.mtsu.edu/buchanan_fellows.htm. No weekly service obligation is required.

National Merit or Achievement Finalist Scholarship

First-time freshmen who notify MTSU of their National Merit or Achievement Finalist status and list MTSU as their first-choice institution will be awarded $6,000 per academic year.

Chancellor Scholarship

The Chancellor Scholarship is awarded to first-time freshmen applicants who have an ACT composite score of 32 or higher (a 1410 or higher SAT score) and at least a 3.75 cumulative grade point average (GPA) through the end of his or her junior year of high school. The award is $5,000 per academic year.

Presidential Scholarship

The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to first-time freshmen applicants who have an ACT composite score of 29 or higher (a 1280 or higher SAT score) and at least a 3.75 cumulative grade point average (GPA) through the end of his or her junior year of high school. The award is $4,000 per academic year.

Academic Service Scholarship

To be considered for this scholarship, a student must have an ACT composite score of 27 or higher (1210 or higher SAT score) and a high school GPA of at least 3.75 through the end of his or her junior year of high school. The award is $3,000 per academic year.

Academic Service Scholarships in the amount of $3,000 per year will be awarded to Tennessee high school valedictorians and salutatorians who have an ACT composite of 23 or higher (1060 or higher SAT score). Please ensure that the Admissions Office is notified prior to February 15 of rank in class.

Diverse Representation and Educational Access at MTSU (DREAM) Scholarship

The DREAM Scholarship celebrates and encourages diversity at MTSU. Recipients will be selected for the scholarship based on Tennessee residency, academic requirements, financial need, and contribution to the diversity of the university. Recipient must be a graduate of a Tennessee high school, have a 21 ACT (980 SAT) or 3.0 GPA, meet all other Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship requirements, have an EFC of 12,000 or less, and demonstrate commitment to promoting diversity at MTSU. Recipients of the DREAM Scholarship will receive funding equal to full tuition plus $500 per semester, through a combination of federal, state, and University funds; MTSU scholarship funds will be used to supplement the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship and certain other types of aid to equal the above amount. Most DREAM Scholarship recipients will receive between $700 and $2500 per year through the DREAM Scholarship. In addition to requirements indicated above, applicants must submit a FAFSA and a DREAM Scholarship Application by February 15 to be considered. Visit http://scholarships.web.mtsu.edu/dream.htm for more information and a link to apply. No weekly service obligation is required.

Provost Scholarship

To be eligible for consideration, a student must have an ACT composite score of at least 26 (1170 or higher SAT score) and have at least a 3.75 high school GPA through the end of his or her junior year of high school. This award is $1,500 per academic year. No weekly service obligation is required.