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Tennessee Tech launches new Presidential Scholars program

Students outside on Centennial Plaza

Tennessee Tech University now offers more scholarships for more students, guaranteed, under the new Presidential Scholars program.

“We wanted to give more students the opportunity to attend the best university in the state,” said President Phil Oldham. “We are recommending students get their application in as early as they can so they can be admitted and considered for these new scholarships, which can range from $3,000 to $5,000 annually. Your likelihood of qualifying for more scholarship dollars goes up when you apply early.”

The new Presidential Scholars program offers guaranteed scholarships to high school students who meet the minimum criteria. These new guaranteed scholarships will be effective starting fall 2022 for any new freshmen who meet the requirements listed below and submit their application for admission by December 15.

The three scholarship tiers include: $5,000 annually if the student has a 3.75-plus grade point average (GPA) and a 33-plus score on the ACT exam; $4,000 annually if the student has a 3.40-plus GPA and 25-plus score on the ACT exam; and $3,000 annually if the student has a 3.40-plus GPA and a 23 or 24 score on the ACT exam. Once awarded, these Presidential Scholars awards are renewable for up to four years as long as the student continues to meet the renewal criteria.

In addition to this new Presidential Scholars program, Tennessee Tech offers supplemental aid to support and recognize students. These scholarships and grants may be awarded to students based upon their academic performance, community service, residency, financial need, leadership experience and other criteria as defined by the requirements of each award.

For example, the Golden Opportunity Grant is a $1,500 need-based grant for a limited number of students who have the most significant, unmet financial need and meet the other requirements. Also, nearly $4 million is awarded each year in departmental scholarships, which are based on a variety of criteria. The university also offers the Tech Promise, which covers any outstanding tuition and mandatory fees for qualifying students.

To qualify for the Golden Opportunity Grant or the departmental scholarships, students must submit a scholarship application by December 15. This is a separate application that is completed after the application for admission, and the student has been admitted to the university. The 2022-2023 scholarship application opened August 1. Find out more at tntech.edu/scholarships/how-to-apply.

“An estimated two-thirds of our students receive some form of financial aid,” added Oldham. “We are also proud that our graduates have one of the lowest average debts of any university in the state, public or private. Scholarships and grants certainly factor in when paying not only for tuition, but other expenses like books and supplies.”

Tech student Cannon Johnson, a biochemistry major from Nashville, said, “One of the biggest motivations for choosing Tech was the amount of scholarship money they award to their students. Thankfully I’m able to attend Tech tuition free from filling out the scholarship application Tech offers to all of its students.”

Tennessee Tech is ranked as a “Best National University” by U.S. News & World Report. The university offers more than 200-plus programs of study, and Tech grads leave with one of the least debts of all public universities in the state. In fact, based on total cost and alumni earnings, Tech provides students with the highest return on investment for any public university in Tennessee, according to PayScale.

Find out more at tntech.edu/scholarships. To apply for admission for Fall 2022, visit tntech.edu/apply. Students are encouraged to apply early to be considered for scholarships.

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