The University of Tennessee System announced plans Thursday to extend the household income level for UT Promise scholarship recipients. UT Promise is a last-dollar scholarship program that guarantees free tuition and fees for students after other financial aid is received. The scholarship is for undergraduate, Tennessee residents with a family household income under $60,000 enrolling at any of the University of Tennessee campuses. There are University of Tennessee campuses located in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Martin, Memphis and Pulaski.
A last dollar scholarship is awarded to a student whose official Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and financial aid packages totals are less than the cost of tuition and fees. These “last dollars” are intended to fill the gap between students’ financial aid and the real costs of college, such as computers, books and supplies, room and board and even graduation expenses.
The announcement was made during the morning session of the Education, Research and Service Committee meeting, held in conjunction with UT’s Board of Trustees fall meetings.
Beginning in August 2022, students with a family income under $60,000 who meet academic criteria will be eligible. The previous household income limit was $50,000.
“Increases in investments to the UT Promise Endowment mean even greater opportunities for students to achieve their dream of obtaining an undergraduate degree,” University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd said in a statement. “Now, more than half of all Tennesseans can qualify financially for UT Promise, giving working and middle-class families a little extra help with college tuition and certain fees.”
Since the UT Promise scholarship was created in 2019, more than 1,800 students have enrolled at a UT campus tuition-free. The scholarship program als matches students with mentors to help ensure their success.
Students must qualify for the HOPE Scholarship and meet the academic qualifications for the institution to be eligible for UT Promise. The HOPE Scholarship is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to entering freshmen who are enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution within sixteen months after graduating from a Tennessee eligible high school.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
