University Scholarships

Listed below are scholarships for freshmen who will begin their studies in Fall 2024. Each incoming freshman will be awarded a merit scholarship on the basis of their high school GPA and ACT/SAT/CLT test scores (ACT/SAT/CLT optional) submitted at the time of acceptance. No additional application is required.

Students maintain their eligibility for this scholarship by enrolling full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours) and obtaining Satisfactory academic standing each semester. Merit scholarships are renewable for a total of 8 semesters. Completing 30 credit hours each academic year should enable students to successfully progress to graduation in 4 years.

Presidential Excellence Scholarship – $16,000 per academic year. Requires a minimum GPA of 3.9 and ACT score of at least 25 (or SAT/CLT equivalent) OR a minimum GPA of 3.75 with anACT score of at least 33 (or SAT/CLT equivalent)

Presidential Scholarship – $14,000 per academic year. Requires a minimum GPA of 3.75 and ACT score of at least 25 (or SAT/CLT equivalent) OR a 3.5 GPA and ACT of at least 33 (or SAT/CLT equivalent) OR a minimum GPA of 3.90 with an ACT score of at least 21 (or SAT/CLT equivalent)

Dean’s Scholarship – $12,000 per academic year.  Requires at least a 3.5 GPA and ACT score of at least 21 (or SAT/CLT equivalent) OR a 2.75 GPA and ACT of at least 33 (or SAT/CLT equivalent) OR at least a 3.75 GPA if no standardized test is taken.

Faculty Scholarship – $10,000 per academic year.  Requires at least a 2.75 GPA.

Achievement Scholarship – $8,000 per academic year awarded to anyone with a GPA below 2.75.

Talk to your Admissions Representative today about your merit scholarship and any other questions. Carson-Newman Admissions will accept updated scores until June 15, 2024, for merit scholarship increase consideration. **No student’s merit scholarship can be decreased because of a low ACT/SAT/CLT score.**

Eligible students should also file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for need-based University funds in addition to a merit scholarship. Visit our Net Price Calculator for additional aid estimates.

Undocumented high school seniors and DACA students should work with both our Admissions and Financial Aid Offices for need-based aid that may be available to you from the University. Stateside students not eligible to file the FAFSA should complete the Undocumented/DACA Student Application for Need-Based Aid. Please note that the Net Price Calculator is not applicable to International Students seeking enrollment.

University grants and scholarships are generally tuition based. Therefore, receipt of external funds that are also tuition based may reduce institutional grant and scholarship eligibility. Awards and amounts are subject to change without notice upon receipt of new information.

All undergraduate transfer students seeking their first undergraduate degree and are admitted to Carson-Newman are automatically considered for our Transfer merit-based and affiliated scholarships based on academic information at time of acceptance. No separate scholarship application is required for these awards.

The scholarship profiles described below are based solely on the college transfer GPA. Recipients will be granted the highest award for which they qualify and will receive official notification of their award shortly after acceptance to Carson-Newman.

Merit-based scholarships will be automatically renewed for the recipient’s applicable sophomore, junior, and/or senior year(s) at the college, provided that grade point average and progress toward degree requirements are met.

Pinnacle Scholarship: $12,000 per academic year – Students are eligible for this scholarship if they have at least a 3.60 transfer GPA.

Elite Scholarship: $10,000 per academic year – Students are eligible for this scholarship if they have a transfer GPA in the range of 3.00-3.59.

Excellence Scholarship: $8,000 per academic year – Students are eligible for this scholarship if they have a transfer GPA less than 3.00.

For more details, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Eligible students should also file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for need-based University funds in addition to a merit scholarship. Visit our Net Price Calculator for additional aid estimates.

Undocumented and DACA students should work with both our Admissions and Financial Aid Offices on need-based aid that may be available to you from the University. Stateside students not eligible to file the FAFSA should complete the Undocumented/DACA Student Application for Need-Based Aid. Please note that the Net Price Calculator is not applicable to International Students seeking enrollment.

University grants and scholarships are generally tuition based. Therefore, receipt of external funds that are also tuition based may reduce institutional grant and scholarship eligibility. Awards and amounts are subject to change without notice upon receipt of new information.

Carson-Newman offers other scholarship program opportunities in an effort to support and invest in your long-term graduation and career goals as an undergraduate student.  Scholarships are renewable for a maximum of four years, beginning with the first-time freshman fall semester, provided that the requirements as specified by the program or school are still being met.  Scholarships are applicable towards a student’s first bachelor’s degree during fall and spring terms, not summer terms.

Students are encouraged to apply for more than one scholarship to maximize aid opportunities and involvement on campus!

Art Scholarships: $1000 per year – The Art Department offers performance-based scholarships to incoming first year students and transfer students. In order to be considered for a scholarship, students with a serious interest in attending Carson-Newman as an Art or Photography Major must submit a digital portfolio for review by the Art Department faculty. Because these scholarships are competitive, we review submissions from August-February, one year prior to the first year of enrollment (for entering freshmen, portfolios should be submitted during your senior year in high school). To enable us to determine final awards and meet financial aid deadlines, please submit portfolios no later than the end of February. Award amounts will be determined in conjunction with other merit and financial aid awards. The Art department faculty will review any digital portfolio submission that meets both the criteria and deadline: 10-12 pieces in any media, in either a PDF or JPG file format. An artist’s statement detailing interest in the intended field of study is encouraged, but not required. Please email digital portfolio submissions to Mrs. Julie Rabun, jrabun@36837a.com. Email attachments only, no dropbox or other cloud based submissions please.

Athletic Scholarships: Amounts Vary. Carson-Newman is a NCAA Division II member of the South Atlantic Conference and offers competitive scholarships.  Awards are based on recommendations from the coach. Athletic aid will be noted on the award letter as a respective sport name. In addition to listing the aid on the award letter, the Office of Financial Aid will issue an athletic contract, detailing more specific eligibility requirements. Athletic aid may only be offered one year at a time under current NCAA rules and cannot be guaranteed as renewable for up to a specific number of years. Contact the respective sport for more information and make sure to enroll in the NCAA Clearinghouse for eligibility.

Center for Community Engagement Scholarships These scholarships represent our commitment to community service.  Recipients are expected to be part of a team that will promote and foster positive community change through action.  Bonner Scholars are awarded anywhere from $2,500-$25,000 based on financial need and demonstrated commitment to community service.  Amounts vary based on your financial need as a Bonner Scholar. For more information, visit the Center for Community Engagement page.

Community Connections: $1,500-$2,500 per year. Each of these is an annual scholarship that is not need-based. Community service hours are required to maintain eligibility for each of these scholarships. For more information, visit the Bonner page.

Cheer & Dance Audition and Scholarships– $1000 per year.  Available for participation in our Cheer and Dance Squads.  For more information, visit our information page.

Chemistry & Biochemistry Scholarships: Amounts vary. Available to new students majoring in these respective areas.

Compass Scholarship: $4500 per year – This selective scholarship opportunity is exclusively available to traditional undergraduate out-of-state new freshmen and transfers who qualify with a 3.0 GPA or ACT score of 21 or higher.  It is renewable for 4 years.  Students who are receiving a separate full tuition scholarship or Bonner scholarship are not eligible to apply, nor are contracted athletes or Intercollegiate Recreational Sports (fishing and archery).  Students who wish to be considered must file the Compass Scholarship Application here by priority deadline March 1, 2024 or final deadline, March 22, 2024.

Eagle Anglers Scholarship : $1000 per year – Scholarship for participating on our club fishing team.

Family Consumer Science New Student Scholarship: $1000 for the first year at C-N. This scholarship is offered to Family and Consumer Science majors and is non-renewable. Application is here.

Film:  $1000 per year for students majoring in film.

Forensics (Speech & Debate): $1000 per year. Available for students participating in our award winning Forensics (Speech & Debate) program. Contact the Director for more information.

Honors Scholars Program: Eligible students will be sent an invitation to attend our Honors Weekend. The top five students will receive our Honors Premier Scholarship valued at full tuition each year! Scholarship will take into consideration all other grants and scholarship eligibility first. All other students participating in our Honors program will receive a $1000 per year as an Honors Scholarship. Participation in our Honors Weekend is required for consideration. For more information, please contact the Office of Admissions.

Legacy Scholarship: $1,000 per year – The direct dependents of all alumni who indicate that they are a dependent of alumni and their relationship information on their admission application will be eligible to receive the $1,000 Legacy Scholarship.

Minister’s Dependent Award: $1000 per year – Recognizes students who are enrolled full-time in the undergraduate program that are direct dependents of ministers and missionaries (not including online program students).  These students must answer ‘yes’ to the minister’s dependent question in the admission application and provide the Financial Aid Office with documentation to prove dependent status.

Music Department Audition and Tarr Full-Tuition Scholarship: The School of Music hosts a Department audition as an entrance requirement for prospective music majors. Additionally, they host a Tarr Full-Tuition Scholarship Competition in various areas such as instrument, voice, piano, organ, and strings (full tuition scholarship will take into consideration all other grants and scholarship eligibility first). Students planning to major in a music discipline should prepare and plan to attend the audition. An awarded student must continue as a music major and meet the required academic GPA as specified by the School of Music for renewal of scholarships. Other scholarships are also available valued at a $1000 minimum per year. For more information, please contact the Music Department.

Band/Vocal Scholarships for Non-Music Majors-:$2000 per year – Students not majoring in music may wish to apply and participate in our University Bands. For more information, contact our Band Director.

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship: $1000 per year. Available for our transfer students that have participated in Phi Theta Kappa. Students should contact their Admissions Representative to self-identify.

Theatre Scholarships:– $1000 per year. Available to students participating in our Theatre program. Contact our Associate Professor of Theatre for more information.

Important Note:  All University gift aid is subject to the University Caps and Limits Policy, and the Office of Financial Aid reserves the right to reduce or limit scholarships under the caps and limits policy, and/or other guidelines as mandated.  

The U.S. Army’s ROTC National Scholarship provides a monthly stipend and 100% tuition coverage

Learn more about Carson-Newman’s Eagle Battalion here.

The U.S. Army offers one of the most generous and comprehensive scholarships available in health care today. It’s called the F. Edward Hébert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP).

This scholarship program is for graduate students who wish to earn professional degrees from accredited medical, dental, optometry, veterinary, specialty nurse practitioner, or clinical or counseling psychology programs you could earn a full-tuition scholarship plus a monthly stipend of more than $2,000 and, in some cases, a sign-on bonus.

If you are planning a career in healthcare or are currently enrolled in a graduate healthcare program, it pays to look into the Army’s HPSP — now more than ever before. It provides benefits while you’re in school as well as benefits after you graduate.

More information on Army medical scholarships is here.

Billy Kim Scholarship: The Billy Kim Scholarship is awarded annually to academically qualified students from Korea. Any recipient who qualifies shall be eligible to receive the scholarship for four successive years.