Can you attend MTSU tuition-free?
Yes! MTSU’s traditionally low tuition coupled with the Tennessee Education Lottery (HOPE) Scholarship and the maximum federal Pell Grant, could allow you to attend our world-class university with tuition and fees paid! Any remaining funds could be applied to housing, meal plans, and other expenses. Even students who receive a partial Pell Grant can still attend very inexpensively. In fact, 48% of our students graduate debt-free.
Please remember that these apply only to first-time freshmen who are Tennessee residents and attend school full-time. This is available for students who are starting in Fall 2022 or Fall 2023 and later.
Let's Find Out!
Every student’s situation is different. To help you determine your personalized benefits, our Enrollment Coordinators are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Click here to talk to an Enrollment Coordinator. Below are a few examples of how this program works.
For Students Starting Fall 2022
Scenario #1: Sally is an incoming marketing major with a high school GPA of 3.1 and a 21 on the ACT test. She wants to start in the fall of 2022 but did not get her application in before December 1, 2021. Her family income level allows her to receive the maximum Pell Grant. Her yearly tuition and fees look like this:
MTSU Tuition and Fees (15 hours per semester) | $9,592 |
Pell Grant (Full) | -$6,895 |
HOPE Lottery Scholarship | -$4,500 |
Balance in student account | +$1,803* |
Scenario #2: Ben plans to study recording industry management and has a high school GPA of 3.6 and a 23 on the ACT. He wants to start in the fall of 2022 but did not get
his application in before December 1, 2021. His family income level allows him to
receive the maximum Pell Grant. His yearly tuition and fees look like this:
Tuition and Fees (15 hours per semester) | $9,592 |
Pell Grant (Full) | -$6,895 |
HOPE Lottery Scholarship | -$4,500 |
MTSU Future Alumni Scholarship | -$1,000* |
Balance in student account | +$2,803* |
*If Ben’s ACT score was between 25 and 29, his MTSU scholarship would be $2,000 and, if it was 30 or above, it would become $3,000.
For Students Starting Fall 2023
Scenario #1: Rachel is undecided on her major with a high school GPA of 3.0 and a 21 on the ACT test. She submits her application by December 1, 2022. Her family income level allows her to receive the maximum Pell Grant. Her yearly tuition and fees look like this:
Tuition and Fees (15 hours per semester) | $9,592* |
Pell Grant (Full) | -$6,895 |
HOPE Lottery Scholarship | -$4,500 |
Balance in student account | +$1,803 |
*Assumes 2022-23 tuition and Pell rate.
Scenario #2: Keith plans to study photography and has a high school GPA of 3.5 and a 23 on the ACT. He submits his application by December 1, 2022. His family income level allows him to receive the maximum Pell Grant. His yearly tuition and fees look like this:
Tuition and Fees (15 hours per semester) | $9,592* |
Pell Grant (Full) | -$6,895 |
HOPE Lottery Scholarship | -$4,500 |
True Blue Scholarship | -$2,000 |
Balance in student account |
+$3,803 |
Scenario #4: John plans to study Mechatronics and has a high school GPA of 3.5 and a 30 on the ACT. He submits his application by December 1, 2022. His family income level allows him to receive the maximum Pell Grant. His tuition and fees per year look like this:
Tuition and Fees (15 hours per semester) | $9,592* |
Pell Grant (Full) | -$6,895 |
HOPE Lottery Scholarship | -$4,500 |
Trustee Scholarship | -$5,000 |
Balance in student account |
+$6,803 |
Let's find out how this will work for you!
We realize that everyone’s situation is a little different. We want to help you find the answers specific to you. Additional scholarships and discounts are available for State Employees, University Employees, Military Dependents, and others. Click below to contact an Enrollment Coordinator at MT One Stop who will personally answer your questions and help you get the most you can in scholarships and savings.