Merit-Based Scholarships
Merit-Based Scholarships are awarded to students based on academic success and student status. Merit-Based Scholarships are awarded on an academic year basis. Cumberland University defines an academic year as 32 weeks consisting of a fall and spring semester. Institutional aid is only available during the academic year. Students wishing to enroll in classes during a summer semester should check with the Financial Aid Office to determine eligibility for any federal or state financial aid including student loans.
*Please note there are also merit-based scholarships on the endowed scholarships page
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Cumberland (CU) Promise Scholarships
The Cumberland Promise Scholarships are awarded to students who hold a University parallel associate degree from a regionally accredited institution and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Cumberland Promise recipients may be eligible for a scholarship up to $16,000. Restrictions: Full-time student status, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA based on award level. Students who are enrolled in the Nursing Program are not eligible for this award.
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Phoenix Promise Scholarship
The Phoenix Promise is only available to eligible students beginning at the sophomore level. However, we encourage high school students and freshmen students to consider this as an option when planning out degree paths and financial aid.
To be eligible to receive the Phoenix Promise scholarship, you must:
- Have a valid FAFSA with an estimated family contribution (EFC) of 3500 or below. This information is available on your Student Aid Report (SAR) after you fill out your FAFSA.
- Have a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA on all college level work at the 24 attempted credit hour benchmark and the 48 attempted credit hour benchmark (typically at the end of your freshman and sophomore years)
- Be a current CU student or a transfer student at the rising sophomore or junior level
- Be a Tennessee resident
- Not be a student athlete, nursing major or fine arts performing student
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Presidential Award Scholarship
Presidential Award Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen who have a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher and between a 27-29 composite on the ACT or 1280-1380 on the SAT critical reading and mathematics combined score. Presidential Award recipients may be eligible for a scholarship up to $16,000. Restrictions: Full-time student status, maintain a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA.
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Trustee Scholarships
Trustee Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen in the top five percent (5%) of their graduating class and who have a cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher and a minimum 30 composite on the ACT or a 1390 on the SAT critical reading and mathematics combined score. Trustee Scholarship recipients are eligible for a scholarship up to full-tuition. Trustee applicants must submit a 500-750 word essay to the Director of Financial Aid explaining why they should be considered for the Trustee Scholarship. Restrictions: Full-time student status, maintain a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA at the end of each academic year.