In order to apply for the ECE scholarship, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
FAFSA Ineligibility
All applicants must be ineligible to receive FAFSA funding. Please carefully review this explanation of eligibility provided by the US Department of Education.
Graduate from (or Soon Graduate from) a Tennessee High School
Applicants must have graduated or be planning to graduate from a high school in Tennessee.
Tennessee Residency
Applicants must have lived in Tennessee for at least one year by February 15, 2026.
Partner Universities
Applicants must be planning to attend one of the following ECE partner universities* in the Fall 2026 semester:
• Belmont University • Carson-Newman University • Christian Brothers University • Cumberland University • Lipscomb University • Maryville College • Milligan University • Rhodes College • Southern Adventist University • Tennessee Wesleyan University • Trevecca Nazarene University • Union University • Visible Music College
*List subject to change between now and November 1, 2025.
Applicants should work with the admissions offices at their universities of interest to submit materials for university admission prior to beginning the ECE scholarship application.
Successful applicants will clearly demonstrate the following:
Academic Record
Applicants will be assessed based on their academic record, including GPA, difficulty of coursework, standardized test scores, and extracurricular activities.
Career Goal
Successful applicants will be college-ready students who have a clear set of goals and a plan to achieve them.
Financial Need
Applicants are selected based on demonstrated financial need. Though there are no strict selection criteria in this area, such as a particular income range, the applicant’s overall financial situation will be considered.
Applicants who are selected as scholars will be required to do the following in order to maintain their ECE Scholarship:
Maintain Full-Time Student Status
This is defined as enrolling in at least 12 credit hours per semester.
3.0 GPA
Once enrolled in college, ECE scholars must maintain a B average, or 3.0 cumulative GPA.
ECE Mentorship Programs
All scholars must participate in quarterly mentorship programs offered by ECE.
Reporting
ECE scholars must submit regular reports on their college experience via ECE’s scholarship management software.