SCHOLARSHIPS IN TENNESSEE

Scholarships in Tennessee are available to help motivated college students inch toward their professional goals in higher education.

With its position in the southeastern region of the United States as the 17th most populous and 36th largest state, Tennessee provides a unique advantage by enabling students to earn their college degree while being surrounded by eight other states that are all rich in American culture and music. In fact, Tennessee is home to more than 200 colleges and universities within its borders, including many that have been ranked among the best of the best in the nation.

If you call the gorgeous mountain landscapes of Tennessee home, read on to learn about 25 of the best scholarships that are available to make it more affordable for transitioning into your dream job.

1. Anne Deason Healthcare Scholarship

Deadline: March 31st

Sponsored by the Goodlark Educational Foundation, the Anne Deason Healthcare Scholarship awards $5,000 annually to upper-division undergraduate and graduate students from Dickson, Humphreys, or Hickman County who are actively pursuing an accredited degree program related to the healthcare industry. Qualified applicants must have resided in Tennessee for at least one year, demonstrate academic achievement, and have significant unmet financial need.

Contact

Anne Deason Healthcare Scholarship
404 East College St. Suite T
Dickson, TN 37055
(615) 446-9156

Scholarship Link

2. Athena "Return to the Workforce" Scholarships

Deadline: December 6th

As Tennessee's largest and most established network of professionals dedicated to connecting women with opportunities, CABLE has established the Athena "Return to the Workforce" Scholarships for up to $5,000 a piece to women who are currently pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree later in life after absence from higher education. Non-traditional female applicants must legally reside in the greater Nashville metropolitan area and write a 300-word essay describing how they have embodied Athena's characteristics in their own life.

Contact

Athena "Return to the Workforce" Scholarships
2817 West End Avenue Suite 202
Nashville, TN 37202
(615) 321-2260

3. Calvin and Jean King Scholarship Award

Deadline: June 2nd

Within the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants (TSCPA), the Calvin and Jean King Scholarship Award is presented annually for $2,000 to deserving Tennessee accounting students who demonstrate extraordinary leadership abilities and a significant financial need for tuition assistance. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, legal Tennessee residents, and currently enrolled in an accredited accounting program leading to a bachelor's or master's in the state.

Contact

Calvin and Jean King Scholarship Award
201 Powell Place
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 377-3825

4. Christa McAuliffe Scholarship Program

Deadline: April 1st

In honor of a beloved high school teacher who lost her life at a youthful age as a result of the space shuttle Challenger accident, the Christa McAuliffee Scholarship Program is administered through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation to provide $1,000 for promising students with a commitment to teaching the youth of Tennessee. Eligible candidates must be a rising college junior in an accredited teacher certification program, be enrolled full-time in a Tennessee post-secondary institution, and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Contact

Christa McAuliffe Scholarship Program
404 James Robertson Parkway Suite 1510
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-1346

5. Dorothy and Arthur Crouch Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: February 3rd

Established by the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers, the Dorothy and Arthur Crouch Memorial Scholarship has been designed to offer $4,000 annually to students entering their junior, senior, fifth, or graduate year of an ABET-accredited engineering program in the upcoming fall. To qualify, candidates must be U.S. citizens, be pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering at a Tennessee institution, and show a commitment to the business and/or management aspect of the profession.

Contact

Dorothy and Arthur Crouch Memorial Scholarship
800 Fort Negley Blvd.
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 242-2486

6. Dr. Edwin S. Gleaves Scholarship

Deadline: December 23rd

In honor of his service as the Tennessee State Librarian and Archivist for nearly two decades, the Dr. Edwin S. Gleaves Scholarship has been created by the Tennessee Library Association to provide $1,500 annually to assist a deserving college student majoring in library and/or information sciences. Applicants must be current members, be Tennessee residents, have a bachelor's degree, and be enrolled in a graduate program in the state accredited by the ALA.

Contact

Dr. Edwin S. Gleaves Scholarship
P.O. Box 241074
Memphis, TN 38124
(901) 485-6952

Scholarship Link

7. Eddie McMillan Community Service Award

Deadline: March 7th

Each year, the Eddie McMillan Community Service Award is granted for $1,000 to a student employee of a member company in the Tennessee Grocers and Convenience Store Association (TGCSA) within eastern Tennessee. In order to select the best all-rounded students, recipients will be chosen based on their participation in campus/community activities, athletic participation, leadership abilities, evidence of academic achievement, and letters of recommendation.

Contact

Eddie McMillan Community Service Award
1838 Elm Hill Pike Suite 136
Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 889-0136

8. Ernest Hardison Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: October 31st

Administered through the Tennessee Turfgrass Association (TTA), the Ernest Hardison Memorial Scholarship is presented each year for up to $2,000 as financial aid for students who are pursuing a career in turf management. While all applicants must be enrolled full-time at an accredited Tennessee institution with a major associated with turf management, those enrolled in online and/or distance learning must be currently employed in a field related to turf management in Tennessee with a year of work experience.

Contact

Ernest Hardison Memorial Scholarship
400 Franklin Rd.
Franklin, TN 37069
(651) 591-8286

9. Herb Society of Nashville Scholarship

Deadline: April 1st

Annually, the Herb Society of Nashville awards a $1,500 scholarship to an outstanding freshman, sophomore, or junior-level undergraduate student who is currently enrolled in an accredited program concerning the study of horticulture, including agriculture, landscape management, plant and social sciences, landscape design, floriculture, and plant sciences. Applicants must be permanent Tennessee residents, be attending any U.S. institution full-time, and demonstrate an interest in educating others on sustainable living.

Contact

Herb Society of Nashville Scholarship
P.O. Box 150711
Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 429-6175

10. James A. Hyter Vocal Music Scholarship Fund

Deadline: April 2nd

Established by the Community Foundation of Greater Memphis (CFGM) to honor the life of a legend who dedicated his music to serving the Memphis community, the James A. Hyter Vocal Music Scholarship Fund offers up to $4,000 in awards annually to students who are enrolled in a two or four-year music program at an accredited institution. Candidates must reside or attend college in the Memphis area, possess a love for music, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and perform a musical selection at a vocal audition.

Contact

James A. Hyter Vocal Music Scholarship Fund
1900 Union Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 722-0032

11. John Foster Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: April 15th

Sponsored by the Tennessee Association of Professional Surveyors (TAPS), the John Foster Memorial Scholarship is designed to provide $1,000 annually to deserving students who are enrolling full-time at East Tennessee State University with a major in surveying and mapping science. Eligible candidates must be from Tennessee or Virginia, demonstrate financial need, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and desire to further their education in surveying.

Contact

John Foster Memorial Scholarship
607 West Due West Avenue Suite 96
Madison, TN 37115
(615) 860-9311

12. Lawassa B. Jones Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: October 15th

Named in memory of the founding member of the Tennessee Paralegal Association (TPA) who lost her fight with cancer in 1993, the Lawassa B. Jones Memorial Scholarship will award $500 each year to an outstanding student who is currently pursuing a degree paralegal or legal assistant studies at least part-time. Selection for the non-renewable award is based on financial need, leadership ability, scholastic achievement, and involvement in extra-curricular activities.

Contact

Lawassa B. Jones Memorial Scholarship
P.O. Box 21723
Chattanooga, TN 37424
(423) 535-1984

Scholarship Link

13. Lawrence Strader Boy Scouts of America Scholarship

Deadline: March 1st

Within the East Tennessee Foundation, the Lawrence Strader Boy Scouts of America Scholarship is granted annually to provide $3,000 over four years of undergraduate study to a deserving low-income member of the Great Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Eligible applicants must reside in one of the counties of East Tennessee, be graduating high school seniors, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better, and be planning to enroll full-time at an accredited non-profit institution.

Contact

Lawrence Strader Boy Scouts of America Scholarship
625 Market St. Suite 1400
Knoxville, TN 37902
(865) 524-1223

14. Leigh Carter Memorial Scholarship Fund

Deadline: March 15th

Established in 2001 by the Tennessee Chiropractic Association (TCA) in honor of her passion for learning, the Leigh Carter Memorial Scholarship Fund has awarded $1,000 annually in financial support to full-time students from Tennessee who wish to attend chiropractic college after completing their undergraduate degree. Applicants must be accepted at one of the nation's accredited chiropractic universities, have a strong interest in healthcare delivery, be involved in extra-curricular activities, and possess financial need.

Contact

Leigh Carter Memorial Scholarship Fund
2123 Eighth Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 383-6231

15. Linda Cowden Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: March 14th

In honor of the liaison to the area Bridges for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing communities who lost her courageous battle with cancer in 2004, the Linda Cowden Memorial Scholarship is distributed annually for $1,000 to a deaf or hard of hearing person who has been accepted into a post-secondary institution, or a hearing person who is pursuing a career in serving the deaf community. Candidates must reside in Cheatham, Davidson, Dekalb, Dickson, Houston, Macon, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, or Williamson counties.

Contact

Linda Cowden Memorial Scholarship
935 Edgehill Avenue
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 248-8828

16. Memorial Graduate Nursing Education Scholarship

Deadline: November 1st

Through the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA), the Memorial Graduate Nursing Education Scholarship is granted each year for $2,000 to registered nurses in the state of Tennessee who are planning to pursue further education in graduate studies related to nursing. Applicants must have been a continuous member for at least one year, have satisfactory references, submit a plan for use of funds, and show a dedication to positively contributing to the state's nursing field.

Contact

Memorial Graduate Nursing Education Scholarship
545 Mainstream Drive Suite 405
Nashville, TN 37228
(615) 254-0350

17. National Guard Association of Tennessee Scholarships

Deadline: June 3rd

Each year, the National Guard Association of Tennessee (NGATN) sets aside $9,000 to award scholarships as financial support for pursuing post-secondary education. To qualify, applicants must be active members of the Tennessee Army or Air National Guard, active members of the NGATN, biological sons or daughters of an active member of the Tennessee National Guard, or current members who were mobilized for "Operation Desert Storm" and/or "Iraqi Freedom."

Contact

National Guard Association of Tennessee Scholarships
4332 Kenilwood Drive
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 833-9100

18. Ned McWherter Scholars Program

Deadline: February 15th

As part of the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, the Ned McWherter Scholars Program aims to provide $6,000 annual awards to encourage the state's most academically superior graduating high school seniors to stay in-state to attend college. Eligible candidates must be legal residents of Tennessee, be accepted to attend a Tennessee university full-time, possess a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and have earned a minimum composite score of 1280 on the SAT or 29 on the ACT.

Contact

Ned McWherter Scholars Program
404 James Robertson Parkway Suite 1510
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-1346

19. Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: December 15th

For students who will graduate or have graduated from high school in one of the counties of Middle Tennessee, the Scarlett Family Foundation presents annual scholarships for up to $15,000 to lower the costs of attending a four-year non-profit university in pursuit of a business degree. Qualified applicants must demonstrate financial need, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, plan to enroll full-time, and exhibit entrepreneurial interests by participating in business-related organizations or initiatives.

Contact

Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarships
1321 Murfreesboro Rd. Suite 800
Nashville, TN 37217
(615) 777-3750

20. Stegall Charitable Educational Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: July 1st and December 1st

In the amount of $500 per semester, the Stegall Charitable Educational Foundation bestows renewable scholarships to graduating high school seniors and current college students who will be enrolled in a full-time program of college study within one year from the deadline. Eligible students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or greater, possess a need for financial support, be enrolled at an accredited Tennessee school, and exhibit an interest in a career of public service.

Contact

Stegall Charitable Educational Foundation Scholarships
P.O. Box 150786
Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 714-9019
Scholarship Link

21. Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Education Scholarships

Deadline: May 16th

Each year, the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Education Foundation (TnHTEF) will award two scholarships for $3,000 apiece to outstanding high school graduates who will be enrolling as a full-time undergraduate student in a hospitality and tourism-related degree program in the state of Tennessee in the upcoming fall term. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 or greater, have worked or be currently working in the industry, maintain 12 or more credit hours per semester, and write a 500-word statement on their personal background.

Contact

Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Education Scholarships
475 Craighead St.
Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 385-9957

22. Tennessee Minority Teaching Fellows Program

Deadline: April 15th

With the goal of encouraging talented minority students to enter the teaching field of Tennessee for educating the state's youth, the Tennessee Minority Teaching Fellows Program grants $5,000 per year towards the tuition expenses of pursuing teacher certification. Eligible applicants should be Tennessee residents, be graduating high school seniors, possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, and sign a promissory note to teach in a PreK-12 Tennessee public school one year for each year of funding.

Contact

Tennessee Minority Teaching Fellows Program
404 James Robertson Parkway Suite 1510
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-1346

23. Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship

Deadline: April 15th

Within the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, the Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship is granted for $2,000 per semester to assist students with intellectual disabilities who have graduated from high school and plan to enroll in a two-year individualized program at a participating Tennessee institution. Candidates must be enrolled at one of the eligible programs at Lipscomb University, University of Memphis, University of Tennessee, or Vanderbilt University within 16 months of their high school graduation.

Contact

Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship
404 James Robertson Parkway Suite 1510
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-1346

24. Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant

Deadline: April 15th

For students who are seeking financial support to enroll in a certificate or diploma program offered at one of the colleges for applied technology in Tennessee, the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant is offered annually through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation for up to $2,000. Applicants must have resided in the state for at least one year prior to enrollment, be enrolled in a program of at least 900 clock hours, and plan to enroll at an eligible two or four-year post-secondary institution within three years.

Contact

Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant
404 James Robertson Parkway Suite 1510
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 741-1346

Scholarship Link

25. Women's Economic Council Foundation Scholarships

Deadline: October 20th

With the mission of helping women continue their education in an effort to improve their salary potential, the Women's Economic Council Foundation (WECF) distributes six scholarships annually for $1,000 apiece to graduating high school seniors and non-traditional adult students who are returning to college after an absence of five or more years. Applicants should demonstrate academic achievement, financial need, participation in community service, leadership potential, and dedication to enhancing their economic autonomy.

Contact

Women's Economic Council Foundation Scholarships
312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue
Nashville, TN 37243
(615) 253-4264

Even if you are a native or are moving to the "Volunteer State" to chase your college dreams, you may not have the financial means that are needed to pay rising college tuition expenses. Therefore, it is recommended that you further investigate these 25 great scholarships in Tennessee that can help you achieve financial independence in entering higher education and make a smooth transition into this momentous time of your life.