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.

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.

The recipient must be a full-time student majoring in elementary education with a minimum GPA of 3.0, partially or wholly self-supporting, and in need of financial assistance. Additionally, the recipient must display a balanced, well-rounded academic and extracurricular educational experience. Mr. Martin, a 1939 graduate of Cumberland University, was an educator and farmer and was deeply devoted to education throughout his life.

This endowed scholarship is awarded annually to a resident of Wilson County, Tennessee. The recipient of the tuition-only scholarship must have an entering GPA of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale and must be pursuing an undergraduate degree in the Music and Arts. Mrs. Catron was awarded the Doctor of Humanities (honoris causa) from the University in 1998 and The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 2001.

The recipient shall be a full-time junior or senior elementary education major with a minimum GPA of 3.00 and who has displayed a balanced, well-rounded academic and extracurricular educational experience. The scholarship is need-based.

This scholarship will be awarded to current teachers under contract in local school systems who wish to return to Cumberland to earn the Master of Arts in Education degree. The funds will be divided among 20 students annually. Mrs. Cleveland was a student at Cumberland University in the 1920s and later was a member of the University faculty. Miss Perry was a 1923 graduate of Cumberland University. The two sisters were teachers for many years. Their scholarship was funded by a bequest from Mrs. Cleveland’s estate.

Preference for this award is given to Castle Heights Military Academy alumni and/or their children. This scholarship is available to both undergraduate and graduate level students. Financial need shall not be the sole determining factor. The representatives of the CHMA Alumni Association review the applicants and make recommendations on the recipients.

This scholarship is awarded based on need to a student majoring in nursing who has displayed outstanding citizenship. The recipient must have a high school grade point average of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale and an ACT score of 18 (or equivalent SAT score). The recipient will be chosen by the Office of Student Financial Aid in consultation with the nursing faculty.

The scholarship is awarded annually to a student enrolled in the Master of Science in Public Service Management (MSP) program at Cumberland University. The award is named for the current Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Bill McKee, who has served as the advisor to MSP students since the beginning of the program.

Cumberland officials are designated to distribute this award to young men and women of Wilson County who are worthy of assistance and who are unable to obtain financial assistance otherwise. The scholarship was established by the estate of Mr. Charles Wood Arnold, a Wilson County, Tennessee farmer and friend of the University.

This scholarship was established with proceeds from the Cumberland Merit Badge University held annually by the Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America. The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving high school graduate who is an Eagle Scout and enrolled full-time. First consideration for students will be given to scouts from the Walton Trail District, then Middle Tennessee Council, then scouts from across the nation. The scholarship may be renewed for a maximum of 8 semesters provided the student maintains a 3.0 GPA.