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         2025-2026 Institutional Merit Scholarship

Hello Big Blue Tiger!

Welcome to the gateway of opportunity at Tennessee State University, where excellence is our habit and rewarded through our prestigious merit scholarships! Discover the financial support and recognition you deserve as you aim to be scholars, achievers, and leaders!

Eligibility Process

The Office of Institutional Merit Scholarships does not have an individual application to complete. To be considered for an academic scholarship, new first-time freshmen and transfer students who are starting their collegiate journey in the Fall of 2025  must    complete the following to be considered for one of the University’s Merit Scholarships:

  1. Submit an application  for Admission.
  2. Submit a high school transcript.
  3. Submit your official ACT or SAT scores.

Complete your application by responding to the Offer of Admission in your Future Tiger portal. By accepting your offer of Admission before the deadline or expiration date, you maximize your chances of being considered for the merit scholarships available for the upcoming academic year.

Once all required documents have been received, weighted GPAs and test scores will be reviewed to determine scholarship eligibility. Students who complete their admissions by the deadline and meet the requirements for a merit scholarship will be offered the appropriate scholarship as long as funding is available.  Note:  Offers are extended on a first come, first serve basis.

Starting  December 1st, students who have met the merit scholarship requirements will be notified via email of an offer, and additional rounds will continue until all available scholarships have been awarded.

During the Fall 2025–2026 scholarship cycle, Tennessee State University began awarding its first tier of institutional merit scholarships in December 2024, continuing through July 2025. Once the initial round of scholarships reached capacity, a secondary set of merit scholarships was introduced to ensure additional opportunities for qualifying students. This approach allowed TSU to recognize and reward more high-achieving applicants who demonstrated academic excellence and a commitment to success, while maintaining the competitive standards and prestige of the University’s institutional scholarship program.

TIER ONE

The Presidential Merit Scholarship (In-State)
Renewable for four consecutive academic years (8 semesters); fall and spring semesters only.

Helps pay the following:
  • Tuition
  • Room and Board
  • Unlimited meal plan (7 days/week + $300 dining bucks)
  • Fees
NOTE: The amount of cost is subject to change or be adjusted based on fiscal projections and approval.
Criteria:
  • Must be a first-time freshmen
  • Have a weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher AND
  • Have a composite: ACT 28 - 36+ or SAT 1300 - 1600+

Renewal/Retention requirement:
  • Must complete FAFSA by the deadline date each year
  • Must maintain a 3.5+ GPA
  • Earn 15 credits per semester (total of 30 credit hours each academic year)
New Renewal/Retention requirement (effective Spring 2025 semester going forward):
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA, Good SAP Standing, Enrolled in 15 hours, FAFSA completed and on file.
The Presidential Excellence Merit Scholarship (Out-of-state)
Renewable for four consecutive academic years (8 semesters); fall and spring semesters only.

Helps pay the following:
  • Tuition
  • Room and Board
  • Unlimited meal plan (7 days/week + $300 dining bucks)
  • Fees
NOTE: The amount of cost is subject to change or be adjusted based on fiscal projections and approval.
Criteria:
  • Must be a first-time freshmen
  • Have a weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher AND
  • Have a composite: ACT 28 - 36+ or SAT 1300 - 1600+

Renewal/Retention requirement:
  • Must complete FAFSA by the deadline date each year
  • Must maintain a 3.5+ GPA
  • Earn 15 credits per semester (total of 30 credit hours each academic year)
New Renewal/Retention requirement (effective Spring 2025 semester going forward):
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA, Good SAP Standing, Enrolled in 15 hours, FAFSA completed and on file.
Trustee Merit Scholarship (In-state)
Renewable for four consecutive academic years (8 semesters); fall and spring semesters only.

Helps pay the following:
  • Tuition
  • Room and Board
  • Unlimited meal plan (7 days/week + $300 dining bucks)
  • Fees
NOTE: The amount of cost is subject to change or be adjusted based on fiscal projections and approval.
Criteria:
  • Must be a first-time freshmen
  • Have a weighted GPA of 3.3 or higher AND
  • Have a composite: ACT 26 - 27 or SAT 1230 - 1290

Renewal/Retention requirement:
  • Must complete FAFSA by the deadline date each year
  • Must maintain a 3.3+ GPA
  • Earn 15 credits per semester (total of 30 credit hours each academic year)
New Renewal/Retention requirement (effective Spring 2025 semester going forward):
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA, Good SAP Standing, Enrolled in 15 hours, FAFSA completed and on file.
Trustee Excellence Merit Scholarship (Out-of-state)
Renewable for four consecutive academic years (8 semesters); fall and spring semesters only.

Helps pay the following:
  • Tuition
  • Room and Board
  • Unlimited meal plan (7 days/week + $300 dining bucks)
  • Fees
NOTE: The amount of cost is subject to change or be adjusted based on fiscal projections and approval.
Criteria:
  • Must be a first-time freshmen
  • Have a weighted GPA of 3.3 or higher AND
  • Have a composite: ACT 26 - 27 or SAT 1230-1290

Renewal/Retention requirement:
  • Must complete FAFSA by the deadline date each year
  • Must maintain a 3.3+ GPA
  • Earn 15 credits per semester (total of 30 credit hours each academic year)
New Renewal/Retention requirement (effective Spring 2025 semester going forward):
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA, Good SAP Standing, Enrolled in 15 hours, FAFSA completed and on file.
Academic Merit Scholarship (In-state)
Renewable for four consecutive academic years (8 semesters); fall and spring semesters only.

Helps pay the following:
  • Tuition
  • Room and Board
  • Unlimited meal plan (7 days/week + $300 dining bucks)
  • Fees
NOTE: The amount of cost is subject to change or be adjusted based on fiscal projections and approval.
Criteria:
  • Must be a first-time freshmen
  • Have a weighted GPA of 3.3 or higher AND
  • Have a composite: ACT 24-25 or SAT 1160-1220

Renewal/Retention requirement:
  • Must complete FAFSA by the deadline date each year
  • Must maintain a 3.3+ GPA
  • Earn 15 credits per semester (total of 30 credit hours each academic year)
New Renewal/Retention requirement (effective Spring 2025 semester going forward):
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA, Good SAP Standing, Enrolled in 15 hours, FAFSA completed and on file.
Academic Excellence Merit Scholarship (Out-of-state)
Renewable for four consecutive academic years (8 semesters); fall and spring semesters only.

Helps pay the following:
  • Tuition
  • Room and Board
  • Unlimited meal plan (7 days/week + $300 dining bucks)
  • Fees
NOTE: The amount of cost is subject to change or be adjusted based on fiscal projections and approval.
Criteria:
  • Must be a first-time freshmen
  • Have a weighted GPA of 3.3 or higher AND
  • Have a composite: ACT 24-25 or SAT 1160-1220

Renewal/Retention requirement:
  • Must complete FAFSA by the deadline date each year
  • Must maintain a 3.3+ GPA
  • Earn 15 credits per semester (total of 30 credit hours each academic year)
New Renewal/Retention requirement (effective Spring 2025 semester going forward):
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA, Good SAP Standing, Enrolled in 15 hours, FAFSA completed and on file.

TIER TWO

The Big Blue Merit Scholarship (In-State & Out-of-state)
Renewable for four consecutive academic years (8 semesters); fall and spring semesters only.

Amount of scholarship will  be applied toward the total cost of each semester, assisting with the following amenities :
  • Tuition
  • Room and Board
  • Unlimited meal plan (7 days/week + $300 dining bucks)
  • Fees
NOTE: The amount of cost is subject to change or be adjusted based on fiscal projections and approval.
Criteria:
  • Must be a first-time freshmen
  • Have a weighted GPA of 3.0-3.2 or higher AND
  • Have a composite: ACT 19-23 or SAT 990-1150

Renewal/Retention requirement:
  • Must complete FAFSA by the deadline date each year
  • Must maintain a 3.0+ GPA
  • Earn 15 credits per semester (total of 30 credit hours each academic year)
New Renewal/Retention requirement (effective Spring 2025 semester going forward):
  • 2.5 cumulative GPA, Good SAP Standing, Enrolled in 15 hours, FAFSA completed and on file.
Future Tiger TRANSFER Merit Scholarship
Renewable for four consecutive academic years (8 semesters); fall and spring semesters only.

Amount of scholarship will  be applied toward the total cost of each semester, assisting with the following amenities :
  • Tuition
  • Fees
NOTE: The amount of cost is subject to change or be adjusted based on fiscal projections and approval.
Criteria:
  • Must be a first-time freshmen
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (GPA average is calculated from all the GPA's from a student's prior college/university institutions attended).

Renewal/Retention requirement:
  • Must complete FAFSA by the deadline date each year
  • Must maintain a 3.0+ GPA
  • Earn 15 credits per semester (total of 30 credit hours each academic year)
New Renewal/Retention requirement (effective Spring 2025 semester going forward):
  • 2.5 cumulative GPA, Good SAP Standing, Enrolled in 15 hours, FAFSA completed and on file.

SPECIALIZED INTEREST GROUPS

The Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. Institute Merit Scholarship
For more information please visit the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. Institute website:https:https://www.tnstate.edu/watkins/
The MNPS Trailblazing to TSU Merit Scholarship
In 2023 Tennessee State University and Metro-Nashville Public Schools formed a partnership and announced that 100 Metro Nashville Public Schools students will be awarded scholarships in four (4) high-demand content (STEM) areas in the College of Business, Education, Engineering, and Health Sciences. 

To be considered for a MNPS Trailblazing to TSU merit scholarship:
  • Must be a graduating senior from one of the academies of Metro Nashville Public Schools*
  • Must have a weighted GPA of a 3.2 or higher AND
  • Must have a composite ACT score of a 20 or higher OR a composite SAT score of 1030-1050.

*Eligible MNPS schools:
  • Antioch High School, Big Picture High School, Cane Ridge High School, East Nashville Magnet High School, Glencliff High School, Hillsboro High School, Lawson High School (formerly known as) Hillwood, Maplewood High School, McGavock High School, MNPS Virtual School, Overton High School, Pearl Cohn High School, Stratford High School and Whites Creek High School.
! ATTENTION !
  • Number of available scholarships for the Fall 2025-2026 year: 50
  • Scholarship availablity/capacity was reached in Feburary 2025 .

Renewal/Retention requirement:
  • Must complete FAFSA by the deadline date each year
  • Must maintain a 3.0+ GPA
  • Earn 15 credits per semester (total of 30 credit hours each academic year)
New Renewal/Retention requirement (effective Spring 2025 semester going forward):
  • 2.5 cumulative GPA, Good SAP Standing, Enrolled in 15 hours, FAFSA completed and on file.

                                         SECONDARY CRITERIA                                  

Tier One: Tiger Academic Achievement Merit Scholarship
In-State ($3,000) | Out-of-State ($6,000)
The Tiger Academic Achievement Scholarship recognizes high-achieving incoming first-time freshmen who have demonstrated outstanding academic performance and potential for success at Tennessee State University. Recipients exemplify excellence, ambition, and a strong commitment to academic growth!

This competitive scholarship is awarded to students with a minimum weighted GPA of 3.25–3.49 and an ACT score of 23–27 or SAT score of 1130–1290.
Tier Two: Tiger Academic Achievement Merit Scholarship
In-State ($2,000) | Out-of-State ($4,000)
The Tier Two Tiger Academic Achievement Scholarship rewards promising first-time freshmen who show strong academic dedication and determination. This scholarship supports emerging scholars who are ready to make their mark at TSU through academic achievement and active campus engagement.

Eligible students must have a weighted GPA of 3.0–3.24 and an ACT score of 19–22 or SAT score of 1000–1120.
Transfer Tiger Academic Achievement Merit Scholarship (In-State)
$3,000 (3.5 or higher GPA) | $2,000 (3.0–3.49 GPA)

The Transfer Tiger Academic Achievement Scholarship recognizes the academic excellence of transfer students joining Tennessee State University from accredited colleges and universities within Tennessee. Awards are based on the student’s cumulative college GPA, rewarding those who have shown consistent success in their college coursework. This scholarship helps smooth the transition to TSU while honoring the academic achievements students bring with them.
Transfer/International Tiger Academic Achievement Scholarship (Out-of-State)
$6,000 (3.5 or higher GPA) | $4,000 (3.0–3.49 GPA)
The Transfer/International Tiger Academic Achievement Scholarship celebrates outstanding academic performance among out-of-state transfer and international students. Eligible students must hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, with optional submission of ACT (19+) or SAT (1000–1120+) scores. This award demonstrates TSU’s commitment to attracting global and national scholars who exemplify excellence and embody the Tiger spirit.