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.

Ernest L. Stockton Jr. Grants are awarded to students who hold a university parallel degree from an accredited two year or four year university with a minimum 2.50 cumulative G.P.A. Amount: Up to $3,400. Restrictions: Full-time student status plus maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA on courses taken at Cumberland University. Ernest L. Stockton, Jr., received the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1939 and the Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) in 1958 from Cumberland University. He served as the institution’s 18th President from 1958-1982.

This scholarship will be awarded to a junior undergraduate student who maintains at least a 3.0 GPA and is a business administration, economics, or marketing/management major.

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

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.

Cumberland University also awards various private and endowed scholarships which have specific requirements for eligibility. These awards have been donated by families, businesses, and civic organizations. A listing of these scholarships can be found in the catalog and on the website. Deadline for applications to be submitted to the Financial Aid Office is May 1st.

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.

This scholarship is awarded to a Wilson County, Tennessee student majoring in business who needs financial support to attend college and who has been accepted as an entering freshman. The scholarship honors Mary and A C Wharton, Sr., well-known and respected business and civic leaders in Lebanon, Wilson County. It was established in 1989 by their children, including A C Wharton, Jr., Mayor of Memphis, Tennessee who is a past member of the Cumberland University Board of Trust.

Mr. and Mrs. Y. M. Chu established this scholarship in 2010 in honor of Dr. Ernest L. Stockton, president of Cumberland University from 1958 to 1983. Dr. Stockton was president while Mr. Chu was a student at Cumberland. This scholarship benefits full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are either an international student, are receiving financial support through Ernest L. Stockton, Jr. Scholarship, or who have special financial and/or emergency circumstances as determined by the Office of Student Financial Aid. Recipients must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

The late Senator William D. Baird, BA, LL.B (1930, 1931) established this scholarship in memory of his mother, Fannie Baird, and wife, Alma Counts Baird. The awards are need-based and awarded to deserving young men and women of Wilson County, Tennessee. Transfer students must have a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA, and entering freshmen must also have a minimum 18 composite on the ACT or equivalent on the SAT.

This scholarship is awarded to a full-time education major or to a student pursuing a pre-medical academic area of focus. This award is renewable if the recipient maintains full-time status and a 3.0 GPA. The student must be recommended by the Student Financial Services Committee and approved by a faculty member of the pre-medical or education program. Mrs. Grissim was an elementary school teacher and taught many years in the Lebanon Special School District in Tennessee. Her husband was a local farmer and businessman.

This scholarship was established in 1990 by Judge and Mrs. Rodney V. Ahles in memory of Mrs. Ahles’ sister. Awarded annually to a junior or senior student with a major in elementary education and in need of financial assistance, this scholarship is given to a student with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Mrs. King was a 1939 graduate of Cumberland University and taught for many years in elementary schools in Tennessee and New Jersey.

Established by Ms. Karen Hardin in honor of her daughter, this scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior student majoring in Special Education.

This scholarship is awarded to an undergraduate student from Wilson County, Tennessee with a minimum entering ACT score of 20 or a high school GPA of 2.5 or if enrolled in Cumberland or as a transfer student shall have a GPA of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale.

Awarded to an incoming freshman soccer player. The recipient must have an ACT score of at least 18 and a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. The scholarship may be renewed provided the recipient maintains full-time student status and a GPA of at least 2.5 while enrolled at Cumberland University. Mr. Gamboa was a sophomore psychology major and a member of the varsity soccer team at the time of his death in a traffic accident.

Mrs. Brenda Callis established this scholarship in memory of her dear friend Mrs. Betty Smallwood. Recipients shall be full-time undergraduate students with special financial circumstances. Preference is given to students who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.