Dec. 1 deadline nears for incoming freshmen to apply, quality for guaranteed scholarships

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University awards an array of guaranteed scholarships to qualifying first-time, incoming freshmen, but the deadline to take advantage is quickly approaching.

Prospective students for the 2025-26 academic year must have a complete application on file with the MTSU Admissions Office by Sunday, Dec. 1, to be considered for an academic merit guaranteed scholarship, ranging from $3,500 to $8,000 per year for four years based on ACT scores and GPA.

Tony Strode, foreground, Middle Tennessee State University director of undergraduate recruitment, discusses guaranteed admission, the upcoming Dec. 1 deadline for guaranteed scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year and more with prospective students and their parents attending the Nov. 4 True Blue Preview Day in the Student Union Ballroom on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Prospective students can apply by going to https://www.mtsu.edu/how-to-apply/ and following the prompts.

The deadline includes those wanting to be a part of the next group of medical school students in the partnership — the Medical School Early Acceptance Program — MTSU and the College of Basic and Applied Sciences has with Meharry Medical College School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee announced the enhancement of the True Blue Scholarship in 2022, almost doubling the amount from a total of $8,000 to $14,000 over four years, while also announcing a Centennial Scholarship that awards a total of $32,000 over four years.

This fall, during daily campus tours, True Blue Tour and True Blue Preview events, MTSU recruiters’ visits to schools and other outreach, McPhee and other representatives are encouraging prospective students to meet the application deadline to secure those guaranteed dollars to ease the burden of college tuition.

Melissa Taylor, left, director of nursing and clinical services in the Middle Tennessee State University Health Services Department, and nurse Amanda Scales talk with a prospective MTSU student and her mother about offerings available to students during the Nov. 4 True Blue Preview day in the Student Union on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Prospective students must apply by Sunday, Dec. 1, to receive a guaranteed scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Dr. Laurie Witherow, associate vice provost for Admissions and Enrollment Services — Dr. Laurie Witherow

“High school seniors with an ACT of 22 or higher and a 3.5 GPA are encouraged to apply now to meet the Dec. 1 application deadline,” said Laurie Witherow, vice provost for Enrollment Management.

“Apply immediately and don’t miss out on this guaranteed investment in your future and a great education at MTSU. Students will need to act quickly to request transcripts, finalize other details and go ahead and complete the process.”

Guaranteed scholarships for qualifying students include:

• Centennial Scholarship (34 to 36 ACT/3.5 or higher GPA) — $8,000 per year.

• Trustee Scholarship (30 to 33 ACT/3.5 or higher GPA) — $5,000 per year.

• Presidential Scholarship (25 to 29 ACT/3.5 or higher GPA) — $4,500 per year.

• True Blue Scholarship (22 to 24 ACT/3.5 or higher GPA) — $3,500 per year.

Students who are awarded must accept the scholarship by May 1, 2025, Witherow said.

Students scoring 30 and above on the ACT and with a minimum 3.5 high school GPA can apply for MTSU’s highest academic award, the Buchanan Fellowship, a competitive and selective full-tuition scholarship offered through the University Honors College. A separate application for this offering is also due Dec. 1. For more information, go to www.mtsu.edu/honors.

The deadline for transfer students to apply to potentially receive guaranteed scholarships is Feb. 15.

For questions about admissions, financial aid and more, call 615-898-2111 or visit the MTSU One Stop.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)