The University of Tennessee, Knoxville's Volunteer Scholarship runs two separate charts -- in-state and out-of-state -- and they don't use GPA the same way. One holds GPA flat and lets test score do all the work; the other raises the GPA bar as the dollar amount climbs.
See all 17 real automatic scholarship charts covered this cycle for how this compares to other public universities' own tables.
The in-state chart
| ACT/SAT | UT Weighted Core GPA | Annual Award | Four-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28–29 / 1300–1350 | 3.8+ | $3,000 | $12,000 |
| 30–33 / 1360–1480 | 3.8+ | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| 34–36 / 1490–1600 | 3.8+ | $9,000 | $36,000 |
The out-of-state chart
| UT Core Weighted GPA | ACT/SAT | Annual Award | Four-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.8+ | 28+ / 1300+ | $3,000 | $12,000 |
| 4.0+ | 30–33 / 1360–1480 | $9,000 | $36,000 |
| 4.0+ | 34–36 / 1490–1600 | $18,000 | $72,000 |
The part that surprises people: the GPA bar moves for non-residents, not for residents
On the in-state chart, every single tier -- from the smallest award to the largest -- uses the identical 3.8 GPA floor. A Tennessee resident with a 3.8 and a 34 ACT gets the same $9,000/year as a Tennessee resident with a 3.95 and a 34 ACT; GPA above 3.8 buys nothing extra once you clear the line. The out-of-state chart works differently: the bottom tier still only needs 3.8, but both of the higher tiers require a full 4.0. A non-resident with a 3.85 GPA and a perfect 36 ACT is locked out of the $18,000 top tier entirely, capped at the $3,000 bottom tier regardless of test score -- something that can't happen to a resident with the same numbers.
What this means for you
- If you're applying in-state, a test score above the required threshold is what moves you up the chart -- not a higher GPA. Once you clear 3.8, additional GPA doesn't change your tier.
- If you're applying out-of-state and your GPA is between 3.8 and 4.0, your ceiling is the $3,000 bottom tier, no matter how high your ACT or SAT score is.
- The out-of-state deadline is three weeks earlier than in-state -- December 15 versus January 5. Missing that earlier date as a non-resident applicant means missing automatic consideration.
- Both charts require test scores by May 15, and only tests taken through December 2026 count -- a spring retake won't help.