Program Overview

Regional Scholars Program

The MTSU Regional Scholars Program allows select non-Tennessee resident students seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree who live within approximately 250 miles or in a contiguous state and meet specific academic requirements to attend MTSU at a greatly reduced rate.

Undergraduate Students

To qualify, undergraduate students must meet the following requirements:

1. Graduated from a high school located in a county within a 250-mile radius of MTSU or from one of the eight states bordering Tennessee (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia).
2. Have an ACT composite of 25 (or SAT equivalent) or above.
3. Attend full-time (at least 12 hours).
4. Apply for the Academic Common Market program (if available).

Students who qualify will receive:

1. A reduced tuition rate equal to approximately 48% off the standard out-of-state rate.
2. Automatic consideration for the MTSU Freshman Academic Merit Scholarships.

Graduate Students

To qualify, graduate students must meet the following requirements:

1. Have a documented permanent residence located in a county within a 250-mile radius of MTSU.
2. Include new and returning students living anywhere within the eight states bordering Tennessee (Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia).

Students who qualify will receive:

1. A reduced tuition rate equal to approximately 48% off the standard out-of-state rate.
2. Certain students may be eligible for the Academic Common Market Program, which offers in-state rates.

Eligibility and Appeals

Students not meeting initial eligibility requirements can submit an Appeal Request to the MT One Stop. Examples for an appeal could include a high school within the range but not listed, out-of-date test scores, homeschooled students, or transfers who did not submit ACT/SAT scores.

Academic Requirements and Award Amounts

Undergraduate students who apply by the priority deadline and meet minimum eligibility requirements may be offered academic merit scholarships. The scholarships and their requirements are as follows:

• Centennial Scholar: ACT 34-36 (SAT 1490-1600), GPA 3.5, $8,000/year
• Trustee: ACT 30-33 (SAT 1360-1480), GPA 3.5, $5,000/year
• Presidential: ACT 25-29 (SAT 1130-1359), GPA 3.5, $4,500/year
• True Blue: ACT 22-24 (SAT 1100-1190), GPA 3.5, $3,500/year

Requirements for Continuing Eligibility

Students must maintain full-time enrollment in the fall and spring semesters. If a student withdraws from a class or classes and drops below full-time, they will be asked to pay out-of-state tuition for that term. A student may regain Regional classification the next term, provided they enroll full-time. If there are documentable extenuating circumstances for the change in enrollment, students can appeal the change in tuition.