Can you attend MTSU tuition-free?
Yes! MTSU’s traditionally low tuition coupled with the Tennessee Education Lottery (HOPE) Scholarship and the maximum federal
Pell Grant, could allow you to attend our world-class university with tuition and fees paid! Any remaining funds could be applied to housing, meal plans, and other expenses.
Even students who receive a partial Pell Grant can still attend very inexpensively.
In fact, 48% of our students graduate debt-free.
Please remember that these apply only to first-time freshmen who are Tennessee residents and attend school full-time. This is available for students who are starting Fall 2024 and later.
Every student’s situation is different. To help you determine your personalized benefits,
our Enrollment Coordinators are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Click here to talk to an Enrollment Coordinator. Below are a few examples of how this program
works.
For Students Starting Fall 2024
Scenario #1: Rachel is undecided on her major with a high school GPA of 3.0 and a 21 on the ACT test. She submits her application by December 1, 2023. Her family income level allows her to receive the maximum Pell Grant. Her yearly tuition and fees look like this:
| |
| Tuition and Fees (15 hours per semester) |
$9,878* |
| Pell Grant (Full) |
-$7,395 |
| HOPE Lottery Scholarship |
-$4,500 |
| Balance in student account |
+$2,017 |
*Assumes 2023-24 tuition and Pell rate.
Scenario #2: Keith plans to study photography and has a high school GPA of 3.5 and a 22 on the ACT. He submits his application by December 1, 2023. His family income level allows him to receive the maximum Pell Grant. His yearly tuition and fees look like this:
| |
| Tuition and Fees (15 hours per semester) |
$9,878* |
| Pell Grant (Full) |
-$7,395 |
| HOPE Lottery Scholarship |
-$4,500 |
| True Blue Scholarship |
-$3,500 |
| Balance in student account |
+$5,517
|
*Assumes 2023-24 tuition and Pell rate.
Scenario #3: Mary plans to study psychology and has a high school GPA of 3.5 and a 25 on the ACT.
She submits her application by December 1, 2023. Her family income level allows her to receive the maximum Pell Grant. Her yearly tuition and fees look like this:
| |
| Tuition and Fees (15 hours per semester) |
$9,878* |
| Pell Grant (Full) |
-$7,395 |
| HOPE Lottery Scholarship |
-$4,500 |
| Presidential Scholarship |
-$4,500 |
| Balance in student account |
+$6,517
|
*Assumes 2023-24 tuition and Pell rate.
Scenario #4: John plans to study Mechatronics and has a high school GPA of 3.5 and a 30 on the ACT. He submits his application by December 1, 2023. His family income level allows him to receive the
maximum Pell Grant. His tuition and fees per year look like this:
| |
| Tuition and Fees (15 hours per semester) |
$9,878* |
| Pell Grant (Full) |
-$7,395 |
| HOPE Lottery Scholarship |
-$4,500 |
| Trustee Scholarship |
-$5,000 |
| Balance in student account |
+$7,017
|
*Assumes 2023-24 tuition and Pell rate.
Let's find out how this will work for you!
We realize that everyone’s situation is a little different. We want to help you find
the answers specific to you. Additional scholarships and discounts are available for State Employees, University
Employees, Military Dependents, and others. Click below to contact an Enrollment Coordinator at MT One Stop who will personally
answer your questions and help you get the most you can in scholarships and savings.
MT One Stop Virtual Counter
Ready to take the next step toward becoming a Blue Raider?
Apply Now!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find out if I’m eligible to be tuition-free at MTSU?
To be eligible to attend MTSU without paying out-of-pocket for tuition and fees, students
must complete the FAFSA, must receive the full Federal Pell Grant, and must qualify
for the Tennessee HOPE scholarship (or Tennessee HOPE scholarship-nontraditional).
How is the Pell Grant awarded?
A Federal Pell Grant is funded by the government and does not have to be repaid. The
Federal Pell Grant may only be awarded to undergraduate, degree-seeking students who
have not already obtained a bachelor's degree. A student may not receive Federal Pell
Grant funds from more than one school at a time. Award amounts vary based on a student’s
Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) resulting from the FAFSA and the student’s enrollment
status. Awards will be adjusted if the student is not enrolled full-time (12 or more
credit hours). The Federal Pell Grant may be available in the summer semester. Eligible
students may receive the Federal Pell Grant until the completion of the bachelor’s
degree OR until the equivalent of 12 full-time semesters of the grant.
How is the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship awarded?
Funded by the proceeds of the Tennessee Lottery, the HOPE Scholarship is available
to incoming freshmen who graduate from an eligible state high school. They must also
meet the following criteria:
- Enroll within 16 months of high school graduation
- And meet one of the following:
- Minimum 21 ACT; or minimum 1060 SAT; or Overall minimum 3.0 GPA
- Homeschool graduates- minimum 21 ACT
- GED recipients- minimum 21 ACT; minimum average Revised GED score is 170
- HiSet recipients- minimum 21 ACT; minimum average HiSet score is 15
In some cases, student might also qualify for the Tennessee Nontraditional Hope Scholarship.
Eligibility requirements have recently changed. Once we receive clarification of
the new requirements, we will update this FAQ.
In-state transfer students can use their existing HOPE Scholarships at MTSU. To be
considered, they must:
- Send all prior college final transcripts to MTSU to be reviewed prior to HOPE Scholarship
payment to student.
- Confirm that MTSU is listed as their institution of preference on the TSAC student portal for the academic year they are transferring to MTSU.
Am I eligible for other scholarships if I am part of this program?
Yes. Qualifying students are also eligible to receive other scholarship awards, including
MTSU’s guaranteed academic scholarships. These awards require a minimum GPA of 3.5 for
freshmen and a 3.0 with 60 credit hours earned for a new transfer student. Scholarship amounts for
freshmen vary by ACT performance. The application deadline for our freshmen guaranteed
scholarships is December 1, prior to the fall in which you will be attending. Transfer
students must apply by February 15, prior to the fall in which you will be attending. This year, there is an additional
group of these scholarships still available for incoming freshmen for the Fall 2024
class! Click here for more information on scholarships,
What if there is a positive balance after scholarships are awarded?
Positive balances can be applied to other university services such as housing and
meal plans. The amount would be split between fall and spring semesters.
