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Students walk around the university seal embedded in the Johnson-Ward Pedestrian Walkway

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is expanding its commitment to making higher education more affordable and accessible across Tennessee with the announcement of 14 additional high schools that are now part of the Flagship Scholarship program. Graduates from Flagship high schools admitted to UT Knoxville for fall 2025 will receive a scholarship to cover tuition and mandatory fees in combination with the HOPE scholarship.

“Creating opportunities for Tennesseans and providing more pathways to the best public education our state has to offer is at the core of our mission as the state’s flagship, land-grant university,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “The expansion of the Flagship Scholarship program reflects our commitment to supporting rural communities and our students.”

Removing financial burdens

The Flagship Scholarship is part of the UT Knoxville Tri-Star Scholarship program, a suite of scholarships specifically designed to help Tennesseans achieve an affordable education at the university.

“Our Flagship high schools and communities are important to us,” said Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director for Undergraduate Admissions Fabrizio D’Aloisio. “By making a UT education more accessible to Tennesseans, we’re helping develop the next generation of leaders, innovators and changemakers who will drive our state forward.”

By bringing additional schools into the program, the university is reaching more students who may not have considered UT a possibility.

The 14 new schools represent 11 counties across the state:

West Tennessee

  • Bolivar Central High School
  • Lake County High School
  • Middleton High School
  • Invictus Academy at Airways

Middle Tennessee

  • Clay County High School
  • Grundy County High School
  • Perry County High School
  • Riverside Academy

East Tennessee

  • Bledsoe County High School
  • Cocke County High School
  • Cosby High School
  • Hancock County High School
  • Oneida High School
  • Scott County High School

There are now a total of 52 Flagship high schools in Tennessee.

How to apply

Students from Flagship high schools are also eligible for UT’s in-state guaranteed admission policy and can apply to UT for free. Information on how to apply is available online. There is no separate application for the Flagship scholarship. Eligible students are automatically considered after completing their admissions application.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Maggie Palmer (865-974-3993, mpalme19@utk.edu)