Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions students have about the UT Promise scholarship.
How many years or hours will my UT Promise scholarship cover?
UT Promise will only provide scholarship funds when a student is receiving HOPE scholarship funds as an undergraduate.
A student may receive the Tennessee HOPE scholarship until the first of the following events:
- Student has earned an advanced degree; or
- Five (5) years have passed from the date of initial enrollment at any postsecondary institution
What fees and other expenses does UT Promise cover?
The UT Promise scholarship only covers tuition and mandatory fees. Mandatory fees include facilities fee, maintenance fee, library fee, student services fee, technology fee, transportation fee, etc. Visit your UT campus’ website for more information.
Students will still be responsible for covering any costs beyond tuition and fees such as book expenses and food/housing; however, excess UT Promise funds can be applied to these additional educational expenses until they run out. Once excess funds have been applied, the student is responsible for the remaining educational costs (e.g., remaining cost of food/housing, transportation, course materials, etc.).
Can students transfer from any institution, or do they have to transfer from a community college?
Qualifying Tennessee residents who meet the criteria for UT Promise can transfer from any institution.
Will UT Promise cover summer courses?
UT Promise scholarship funds can be applied to summer courses if a student is receiving HOPE scholarship funds. In order to receive HOPE funds, a student must be enrolled in at least 6 hours over the summer.
Will the UT Promise Scholarship cover fully distance education programs (a.k.a. online programs)?
Yes. If you are enrolled in a UT degree program in which all courses are online, the UT Promise scholarship will cover tuition and mandatory fees.
What does “last-dollar amount of tuition” mean?
Last-dollar scholarships cover the remaining balance of tuition and mandatory fees after other state and federal financial aid have been applied.
Find out more about last-dollar tuition.
If my tuition and mandatory fees are completely paid by Pell, HOPE, and/or other institutional aid, how can I use the $500 minimum award?
The $500 minimum award can be used to pay all other education expenses (including, but not limited to, books, program of study fees, housing fees, living and learning community fees, etc.). Excess UT Promise funds may be applied to educational expenses by the university or at the discretion of the student depending on how the institution disburses financial aid.
What is the difference between TN Promise and UT Promise?
TN Promise is a last-dollar scholarship available to Tennessee high school students regardless of socioeconomic status who attend a Tennessee community college, college of applied technology, or 4-year institution with an eligible two-year program.
UT Promise is a last-dollar scholarship available to Tennessee high school students who attend a UT campus and meet the $75,000 income threshold. Students cannot receive both scholarships simultaneously.