How to Apply for UT Promise
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you complete your UT Promise application and stay on track with deadlines. Applicants fall into two groups, each with a separate application process.
Contact Us
For questions about what the UT Promise scholarship entails, how to apply, and maintain eligibility, please email utpromise@tennessee.edu.
High School Senior Application
High school seniors wishing to apply for UT Promise and begin classes at any UT campus must complete the following application steps. These deadlines apply only to high school students graduating in the 2026-2027 academic year and who plan to enroll at a UT institution in Fall 2027*.
The 2026–27 UT Promise application period is officially open from September 1 through December 15, 2026.
The steps listed below contain important dates, deadlines, and links for future UT Promise students. Click each item to review.
Dec. 15, 2026 – Apply for undergraduate admission to your UT campus of choice
UT campus undergraduate applications:
Dec. 15, 2026 – Complete the UT Promise Application
Complete the UT Promise application for high school seniors planning to enroll at UT in Fall 2027.
April 1, 2027 – File your 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Visit www.fafsa.gov to complete your FAFSA application.
The UT deadline to complete the FAFSA varies by campus, but we encourage students to file their FAFSA as early as possible (i.e., as soon as the application opens in October 2026). Failure to complete this step will disqualify you from UT Promise for the 2027-2028 academic year.
July 1, 2027 – Ensure UT campus of choice is listed on your TSAC Portal and FAFSA
TSAC only shares HOPE scholarship eligibility and FAFSA information with the financial aid office of the top campus of choice you selected in your TSAC Portal.
July 1, 2027 – Complete financial aid verification, if selected
Verification is completed through your selected campus’s financial aid office.
Your financial aid verification must be fully completed (not just submitted for review), your UT Promise award accepted, and your agreement signed by your campus freeze date for you to be eligible. Failure to do this will result in not receiving UT Promise. Do not wait to do this as submitting your initial documents may lead to the financial aid office requesting other documents. If your financial aid file is not fully complete, you will not be eligible.
Fall 2027 – Enroll as a full-time student at your UT campus of choice
Complete your enrollment as a full-time student at your selected UT campus.
After you enroll at a UT campus in Fall 2027, please be on the lookout for communication from the UT Promise team regarding mentorship and community service.
* For students enrolling in Fall 2027 but graduating prior to the 2026-2027 academic year (i.e. took a gap year, etc.), you should follow the application process and deadlines below for all other students.
All Other Students Application
Students wishing to apply for UT Promise at any UT campus must complete the following application steps. These deadlines apply to all students who are not currently high school seniors, including the following:
- Transfer students enrolling at UT during or after Spring 2027
- Nontraditional students or adult learners enrolling at UT during or after Spring 2027
- First-time freshmen who took a gap year (graduated May 2026) and enrolling at UT during or after Fall 2027
- Current UT students who have never previously received UT Promise
Students are not required to complete community service and mentorship hours before the start of the semester in which they become a UT Promise student. Once UT Promise dollars are received, students will need to complete the requirements moving forward to maintain their eligibility.
For students who are not currently high school seniors there are two key dates to be aware of:
December 1, 2026: Apply by this date to be eligible for the UT Promise scholarship in the Spring 2027 semester.
July 1, 2027: Apply by this date to be eligible for the UT Promise scholarship in the Fall 2027 semester.
The steps listed below contain important dates, deadlines, and links for future UT Promise students. Click each item to review.
December 1, 2026 – Resolve outstanding financial aid requirements so your UT campus can determine your eligibility for UT Promise
Visit www.fafsa.gov to complete your FAFSA application. Be sure your UT campus of choice is listed on your FAFSA. TSAC only shares HOPE scholarship eligibility and FAFSA information with the financial aid office of the top campus of choice you selected in your TSAC Portal.
To receive your financial aid, including UT Promise, you must complete financial aid verification if you are selected.
December 1, 2026 – Priority deadline to apply for undergraduate admissions to your UT campus of choice
UT campus undergraduate applications:
December 15, 2026 – Complete the UT Promise Application
Complete the UT Promise application to receive aid for the Spring 2027 semester. This application is for students who are NOT currently high school seniors.
Spring 2027 – Enroll as a full-time student at your UT campus of choice
Complete your enrollment as a full-time student at your selected UT campus.
