ETSU scholarships for 2027 give Tennessee freshmen one of the most generous automatic merit packages in the Southeast. The Academic Performance Scholarship (APS) — East Tennessee State University’s largest merit-based award for new freshman students — pays $2,000 to $5,000 per year, and there is no separate scholarship application: you are considered automatically when you apply for admission. The deadline is rolling.
Key Details
- Award: Academic Performance Scholarship (APS) — ETSU’s largest merit-based award for new freshman students
- Value: $2,000–$5,000/year across four tiers
- Tiers: Presidential $5,000/year (3.9 GPA + ACT 30/SAT 1360); Provost $4,000/year (3.5 GPA + ACT 27/SAT 1260); Deans $3,000/year (3.5 GPA + ACT 26/SAT 1230); Faculty $2,000/year (3.5 GPA + ACT 25/SAT 1200, or 4.0 GPA + ACT 22/SAT 1100)
- Renewable: up to 8 semesters
- Separate application: none — awarded automatically with admission
- Deadline: Rolling — apply for admission by the Thursday before term starts (next: Spring 2027)
About ETSU Scholarships 2027
East Tennessee State University built its freshman merit system around one simple idea: if your grades and test scores qualify, the money follows — no extra forms, no extra essays. The Academic Performance Scholarship is the university’s flagship award for new freshmen, framed for Tennessee-resident freshmen (students in listed North Carolina and Virginia border counties who qualify for in-state tuition are also eligible). Note that international students are not eligible for the APS award itself.
Scholarship Amounts and Benefits
- Presidential — $5,000/year: 3.9 GPA + ACT 30/SAT 1360
- Provost — $4,000/year: 3.5 GPA + ACT 27/SAT 1260
- Deans — $3,000/year: 3.5 GPA + ACT 26/SAT 1230
- Faculty — $2,000/year: 3.5 GPA + ACT 25/SAT 1200, or 4.0 GPA + ACT 22/SAT 1100
- Renewable for up to 8 semesters — from fall 2026, renewal requires full-time enrollment (12 credits) and a 2.5 GPA.
- Service hours: Presidential, Provost and Deans recipients complete 75 APS service hours per semester for the first 4 semesters.
Eligibility
- Entering freshman at East Tennessee State University
- Tennessee resident, or resident of a listed NC/VA border county (in-state-tuition-eligible only)
- Meet both the minimum GPA and the minimum ACT/SAT score for your tier
- Test scores must be received before the census date
- 75 APS service hours per semester for the first 4 semesters (Presidential/Provost/Deans)
How to Apply
- Apply for ETSU admission — apply by the Thursday before the term starts (the next usable cycle is Spring 2027).
- Submit all documents by the first day of the term, and make sure your test scores are received before the census date.
- Skip the separate scholarship form — there isn’t one. The APS is awarded automatically with admission.
- Keep your award: stay enrolled full-time (12 credits), hold a 2.5 GPA, and complete 75 APS service hours per semester for the first four semesters.
Start on the official ETSU APS page:
ETSU Academic Performance Scholarship – Official Page
APPLY NOW FOR THE ETSU APS SCHOLARSHIP
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ETSU Academic Performance Scholarship?
The Academic Performance Scholarship (APS) is East Tennessee State University’s largest merit-based award for new freshman students, worth $2,000–$5,000 per year across four tiers.
How much is the ETSU Presidential Scholarship?
The Presidential tier pays $5,000 per year and requires a 3.9 GPA plus ACT 30/SAT 1360. It is renewable for up to 8 semesters.
Is there a separate application for ETSU scholarships?
No. The APS is awarded automatically with admission — there is no separate scholarship application.
Who qualifies for ETSU scholarships?
Entering freshmen who are Tennessee residents (or residents of listed NC/VA border counties eligible for in-state tuition) and who meet both the minimum GPA and minimum ACT/SAT score for a tier. International students are not eligible for APS.
Do ETSU scholarships renew?
Yes — the APS renews for up to 8 semesters as long as you stay enrolled full-time (12 credits) and maintain a 2.5 GPA.
Compare with similar awards: Tennessee Hope Scholarships 2027, Ole Miss Scholarships 2027 and Unmet Need Scholarship Program for more automatic merit options.