Foundation Scholarships

A primary function of Volunteer State College Foundation is to increase the level of educational attainment by the citizens of northern middle Tennessee. To this end, the Foundation seeks funds for capital projects, academic program support, necessary operational expenses not covered by state or federal funding, and to provide scholarships. Currently, the Foundation offers more than 175 different annual and endowed scholarships.

Foundation Scholarship Application Process

Please read the following information that explains our scholarship application and awarding process.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA (some scholarships require a higher GPA)
You must have been accepted for admission to Volunteer State Community College and remain in good standing with the college.
You must complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA.
Scholarships are awarded annually with the award amounts credited to the student’s account each semester.
Scholarships are not available for the summer semester and must be used for the year/semester awarded. Unused or unaccepted scholarships will be awarded to another student.
Generally, students may receive only one Foundation scholarship per academic year.
Volunteer State College Foundation Scholarship Committee has final authority regarding scholarship awards. The applicant's name and personal information are not revealed to the Scholarship Review Committee. The Volunteer State College Foundation Scholarship Committee may authorize or withdraw scholarships at any time.
Recipients will receive an award letter at their volstate.edu email address listing the criteria requirements necessary to accept the scholarship and receive the scholarship funds.
Before the award process is finalized a publicity release form must be completed, a thank-you letter (Word or other compatible program) uploaded, and a quality photograph (not a selfie) uploaded into your file. Failure to submit all required information will result in the cancellation of the scholarship.
Scholarship recipients’ grades and the number of hours passed/enrolled will be verified at the end of each semester to ensure that the recipient still meets the scholarship’s criteria. The scholarship will be rescinded should the recipient’s GPA or hours passed/enrolled fail to meet the criteria or if the student is no longer in good standing with the college.

General Information

The General Application applies you for over one hundred Foundation scholarships. A select few scholarships may require additional questions. You may apply for all additional scholarships for which you meet the criteria requirements.
Keep in mind that scholarship funds are limited, and the awarding process is competitive. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee a student will receive a scholarship.
To improve your candidacy, you should submit all required material in a timely basis.
Essays are crucial in the application process. Take your time to include all information that you feel is relevant to your situation and use correct grammar.
Funds that you receive from public and private sources are taken into consideration during the awarding process. Applicants receiving in excess of $2,000 over tuition may not be considered for a Foundation scholarship.
If awarded a “renewable” scholarship, you must reapply for the next academic year to be considered for the scholarship. Scholarships being renewed are also contingent on the donor funding the scholarship for the next year.

Important Deadlines

Priority date for Fall 2024 is June 1, 2024. Applications are accepted after this date, but the scholarship award process will begin the first of June.
Deadline for the VSCC Alumni Scholarship is June 1, 2024.
Deadline for the John B. Wallace Health Sciences Scholarship is August 1, 2024.

Release of Information

By accepting a scholarship, you grant permission for your grades to be released to the donor. Also, the Foundation may use photos or other correspondence (essays, thank you letters, etc) in publicity materials.

Notification Instructions

All communication is done through the applicant’s Vol State email or via text to the cell phone on the student application. Each applicant is responsible for checking email for notification and acceptance of a Foundation scholarship and other correspondence from the Scholarship Associate. Failure to complete award requirements within the required time limit will result in loss of scholarship.