The costs of college continue to rise. This causes many people to believe they will be unable to afford higher education. A college education can provide higher salaries. It also leads to better opportunities for advancement than a high school diploma. The fact is that the college does not have to be out of reach regardless of your family income.
There are many college scholarships available for people who want to attend college. Many of them do not have income requirements. There are even some for adult learners who wish to return to school. These Tennessee scholarships can help defray the cost of college. They can help anyone achieve their higher education goals.
1. AQHA Swayze Woodruff Memorial Mid-South Scholarship
Sponsored by the American Quarter Horse Association, the Swayze Woodruff Memorial Mid-South Scholarship. Applicants must be affiliated for one year with an AQHA chapter. The chapters must be in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi or Tennessee. Also, the applicant must compete in AQHA-approved shows. Those interested must apply in their senior year of high school. They can also be enrolled at an accredited college or university. Awardees must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5. Current or previous recipients may not apply.
2. ASHRAE Donald E. Nichols Scholarship
- Must be a full-time undergraduate engineering student
- Enrolled in an ABET-accredited program at Tennessee Technological University
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- A class standing in the top 30 percent
- Students must provide official transcripts and three letters of recommendation
- One letter must be from an instructor or faculty advisor
- One from a past or current employer
- One from a character reference other than a family member
3. Ann Buchanan Scholarship Fund
Eligible students are graduating from public high school in Williamson County. They are not in the top ten percent of their graduating class. They need to show how they have overcome unique life challenges. The challenges may include life-threatening illness, injury or other extraordinary circumstance. Students must plan to attend an accredited college, vocational or technical school. This Tennessee college scholarship is non-renewable.
4. Ann Wright Hart/Nashville Alumnae Chapter Scholarship
The Ann Wright Hart/Nashville Alumnae Chapter Scholarship is available for the following. A freshman, junior or senior member of Alpha Eta at Vanderbilt University. A freshman, junior or senior member of Eta Phi at Belmont University. They must be a permanent resident in the greater Nashville area. Initiated members in good standing are eligible. New members may apply but must be initiated by the deadline. The scholarship may be used for tuition, books, and course-related fees. Students may be attending either full- or part-time.
5. BJ Dean Scholarship
The BJ Dean Scholarship is for women who plan to enter full-time Christian ministry. Applicants do not have to seek ordination or serve in any particular denomination. Applicants must be residents of Tennessee or Texas. Students who plan to attend Yale Divinity School are also eligible to apply. The scholarship is in honor of B.J. Runnels Dean. Her service to churches and state Baptist conventions advanced the cause of women.
6. Belle Meade Country Club Employee Scholarship
The Belle Meade Country Club Employee Scholarship is for employees of the Nashville Country Club. They must work 30 hours per week and have worked for three years or more. Current employees and their children may apply for the scholarship. The scholarship is non-renewable and awarded only once. The scholarship is available for college and university students. It is available for two and four-year schools. Vocational and technical school students are also eligible.
7. Belmont University Commercial Music Showcase Scholarship
The Commercial Music Showcase Scholarship is available to high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores or juniors. Students must attend Belmont University and enrolled as a commercial music major. Commercial music majors are trained to perform, compose, arrange, produce and sell music. The scholarship was established by the LifeWorks Foundation. It assists students who are seeking careers in commercial music.
8. Bird Dog Foundation Essay Contest
The Bird Dog Foundation Essay Contest is for students interested in wildlife education and conservation. Applicants must be high school seniors who plan to enter their freshman year of college. Applicants must live in Tennessee, Mississippi or Arkansas. United States citizenship is required. Employees, sitting board members and their relatives are not eligible to apply. There is no application for the scholarship. Applicants must include their full name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and date. They must include the name and address of the school they attend on the cover sheet of the essay.
9. Brad Butkiewicz Memorial Scholarship
The Brad Butkiewicz Memorial Scholarship is for graduates of Stewart County High School. The scholarship is in memory of Brad Butkiewicz. He was a student at Stewart County High School. He loved football and the Health Occupation Students of America. Brad died on his way home from an early morning football practice. Applicants must be involved in football or the Health Occupations Students of America. They must also have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and a high need for financial assistance to continue their education.
10. Cheatham County Community Foundation Scholarship
The Cheatham County Community Foundation Scholarship is for students who have lived in Cheatham County for at least one year. Applicants must hold a high school diploma or GED and have a grade point average of 2.0 or greater. Students must plan to attend an accredited college, university or technical school. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher while in college as well.
11. Choose Your Future Scholarship Fund
Graduates of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools of Davidson County are eligible to apply for the Choose Your Future Scholarship Fund. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a score of at least 21 on the ACT. Students may attend any accredited college or university in the United States. Preference is given to students who are the first in their family to attend college. The scholarship is renewable. Preference is given to previous recipients. They must remain in good standing with the college or university.
12. David Anderson Scholarship Fund
The David Anderson Scholarship Fund is available to seniors at Coffee County High School. Applicants must have a minimum weighted GPA of 2.5 and show a willingness to work hard as well as a positive work ethic. Applicants must have a sense of team without needing to be a star athlete. Applicants must plan to attend an accredited college or university. They must plan to begin college the year immediately following high school.
13. Dody Boyd Scholarship Fund
The Dody Boyd Scholarship is for seniors graduating from Cheatham County Central High School. Applicants must plan to attend community college, technical school, college or university. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 2.5 or higher and an ACT score of 20 or better. The scholarship is non-renewable. Dody Boyd was a bus driver for and a graduate of Cheatham County Central High School. She instilled an appreciation for good grades and successful graduation in the students she came in contact with.
14. Dora Mclellan Brown Ministry Scholarship
The Dora Mclellan Brown Ministry Scholarship is for Christian men and women who are from the greater Chattanooga area. Applicants must be theologically and biblically conservative. They must be seeking a master’s degree at a theological seminary or at a school approved by The Generosity Trust. Students who plan to enter pulpit ministry are given priority. Applicants must submit an application and one-page testimony of faith. They also must submit evidence of their call to ministry in a one-page essay. Official transcripts and a current resume are required. Two letters of reference are also required as well as a geographical eligibility statement.
15. George Oliver Benton Memorial Scholarship
Legislative interns are eligible to apply for the George Oliver Benton Memorial Scholarship. Applicants must be attending an accredited four-year college or university in Tennessee. They must also be residents of Tennessee. Extracurricular activities related to an interest in government are preferred. The scholarship is named in honor of George Oliver Benton. He served as Lieutenant Governor of Tennessee and as a lobbyist after leaving office.
16. Howard A. Clark Horticulture Scholarship Fund
- plan to attend a two- or four-year college or university
- study horticulture or agriculture
- must have a GPA of at least 2.5 while in high school
17. JY Carter Excellence in the Arts Scholarship
Macon County High School seniors are eligible to apply for the JY Carter Excellence in the Arts Scholarship. The scholarship is named in honor of J.Y. Carter. Carter was a teacher at the school whose love of the performing arts was well known. Applicants must have demonstrated talent for visual or performing. They must plan to attend an accredited college or university. Recipients can reapply, but are not guaranteed to receive the award more than once.
18. Jack Diller Education Award
The Jack Diller Education Award is given to four students living in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area. Each scholarship recipient is honored at a Nashville Predators home game. This is done in the Bridgestone Arena. Applicants must be college-bound seniors attending a Nashville or Middle Tennessee high school. They must plan to attend college the year following graduation. Applicants must prove leadership in the classroom or inspirational on the athletic field. Students must have a 3.0 GPA. They must demonstrate good work ethic, the value of education and community outreach. Immediate family members, relatives, and front office employees are not eligible. The same applies for sponsoring sports teams.
19. James A. Hyter Vocal Scholarship Fund
James A. Hyter devoted his life to serving the Memphis community. The James A. Hyter Vocal Scholarship Fund is for college-bound students. They must desplay their vocal talent and a love of music. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 and live in the Memphis Metropolitan area. Applicants must be enrolled or plan to enroll in an accredited college of university. Applicants will be invited to perform a vocal audition. Music is selected from the classical, folk and show tune categories.
20. Kathy D. and Stephen J. Anderson Scholarship Fund
The Kathy D. and Stephen J. Anderson Scholarship is for graduates of any public high school in Williamson County. Students who attended the school for at least three years may apply. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and a minimum ACT score of 22 or SAT score of 1100. Applicants must be involved in at least one outside extra-curricular activity. This may include a part-time job. The scholarship is renewable after reapplication. The student must maintain a GPA of 2.75 as a freshman and a 3.0 each year after. They must also remain in good standing as a citizen. The student must particiapte in one extra-curricular activity while in college. They can also include a part-time job as an activity.