Applications are fully open for the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) International Merit Scholarship. Designed for high-achieving global students, this merit-based tuition grant offers up to $36,000 in total value ($9,000 per year) distributed across four years of undergraduate study.
Scholarship Overview
| Host Country | United States |
| Institution | East Tennessee State University |
| Study Location | Study in USA |
| Eligible Countries | All Countries |
| Requirements | Currently hold, or plan to obtain, an active F-1 or J-1 student visa |
| Scholarship Category | Undergraduate Scholarships | Postgraduate Scholarships | Masters Scholarships |
| Reward | Varies by Scholarship Level |
| Application Closing Date | 1st November, 2026 |
The scholarship is also open to postgraduate applicants, providing tiered funding directly tied to previous academic performance (GPA) to offset out-of-state tuition costs.
ETSU Scholarship Benefits
The funding structure is broken down into specific tiers based on your cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) calculated on a US 4.0 scale.
Undergraduate Merit Tiers
| Scholarship Level | Award Amount | Minimum Academic Requirement |
| Elite Scholarship | $9,000 / year (Up to $36,000 total) | Cumulative GPA of 3.75+ |
| Gold Scholarship | $7,000 / year (Up to $28,000 total) | Cumulative GPA of 3.5+ |
| Blue Scholarship | $5,000 / year (Up to $20,000 total) | Cumulative GPA of 3.0+ |
Graduate Merit Tiers
| Scholarship Level | Award Amount | Minimum Academic Requirement |
| Doctoral Merit Scholarship | $9,000 / year | Cumulative undergraduate/master’s GPA of 3.0+ |
| Master’s Merit Scholarship | $5,000 / year | Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0+ |
Related Scholarship Opportunities:
- Stanford University Knight-Hennessy Scholarship 2027
- SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship 2026
- University of New Brunswick Scholarship 2026
- SANRAL Scholarship Program 2026
Eligibility Criteria
To be qualified for automatic consideration, candidates must meet the following institutional baseline requirements:
- You must currently hold, or plan to obtain, an active F-1 or J-1 student visa for full-time academic residency.
- The award is strictly reserved for new, incoming degree-seeking students. Returning ETSU students, exchange students, or individuals pursuing a second bachelor’s degree are ineligible.
- This scholarship targets out-of-state tuition fees. It cannot be combined with other tuition waivers, graduate assistantships (GAs), or specialized programs like the M.D. and Pharm.D. medical tracks.
- A absolute minimum GPA of 3.0 is mandatory across your latest academic transcripts (High School for freshmen, previous university records for transfer and graduate applicants).
How to Apply for ETSU Merit Scholarship 2026
To apply for the East Tennessee University Scholarship, interested and qualified applicants should;
- Click on the button below to visit the scholarship website
- Apply for admission to your preferred program (undergraduate or graduate)
- All students who apply for admission are considered for these scholarships as no extra application is needed
- No separate application is needed.
- Applications are to be submitted before deadline
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