Scholarships & Grants

Academic Excellence Awards 

Each year, Lincoln Memorial University awards incoming students with Academic Excellence Awards (Scholarships). Academic Excellence Awards are awarded to freshmen based on high school GPA and ACT/SAT scores (do not include writing scores). These Awards help make LMU an affordable choice. The amounts listed are yearly amounts, which are divided between the Fall and Spring semesters.

 2021-2022 Academic Excellence Awards

*Limited number of full tuition scholarships available; for details see "LMU Trustee Full-Tuition Scholarship" below.

Academic Excellence Awards are awarded to incoming transfer students based on their college GPA. For 2021-2022, these awards range from $2,000 to $7,000 an academic year.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for students receiving an Academic Excellence Award.  The FAFSA is available starting October 1 each year.  LMU's school code is 003502.  Students must enroll at least half-time to be eligible for an Academic Excellence Award and amounts pro-rate based on enrollment status, if not enrolled full-time.

All students who have been accepted to LMU will be considered for an Academic Excellence Award. All scholarships are renewable for three additional years provided the student maintains a cumulative 2.0 GPA.

Academic Excellence Award recipients are expected to take an active part in student life by becoming involved in at least one of the University's recognized student organizations (for which you are not receiving scholarship money) each semester. Recipients are also required to complete 10 hours of campus/community service each semester.

Cornerstone Scholarship: If a student has an average high school GPA of 2.63 and a satisfying ACT score, and is accepted to the LMU Cornerstone Program, they may qualify for a Cornerstone Scholarship of $4,000 for their freshman year. Please contact an Admissions Counselor for further details.


NOTE: All academic awards must be applied toward tuition, books, fees, room and board expenses. All other financial aid including federal, state, outside scholarships and institutional grants will be credited to the student's account first, with the academic award picking up the balance of the student's institutional aid eligibility. No cash refunds will be made. 

LMU TRUSTEE FULL-TUITION SCHOLARSHIP

Eligibility, Application, & Timeline

Each year, there are a limited number of full-tuition scholarships available for which eligible students can apply. Due to the limited availability and the impact of this scholarship, the process is competitive and multi-faceted.  

Lincoln Grant

The Lincoln Grant is a need based grant that full-time students may qualify to receive based on the FAFSA results. Students that still have unmet need after federal, state and an academic scholarship may be eligible to receive this grant. The amount awarded to students is determined by their need. The FAFSA must be completed each year in order to be considered for the Lincoln Grant. Lincoln Grant may be impacted by any outside funding received.  Students who hold a baccalaureate degree already and are returning for a second degree are not eligible for Lincoln Grant.

Legacy Scholarship

The Legacy Scholarship is given to students who have had immediate family members attend and graduate from LMU. This award is typically $1,000 for the year or $500 for the semester. To qualify, a student must be enrolled at least half-time and the amount will pro-rate based on enrollment status.

LMU Kentucky Award

If a student is eligible to receive a Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) award and is attending the Harrogate campus of LMU, we offer the institutional LMU KY Award, which is a replacement of the KEES money the student would have been eligible for if attending an institution in KY.  

Diversity Grant 

Diversity Grant is available for undergraduate students who live on-campus, based upon the student’s qualities that make Lincoln Memorial University a more diverse student body. Other criteria when considering students for the Diversity Grant will be grade point average, activities, leadership qualities, etc. The grant will equal $3,000 per student for 2021-2022 to be used toward on-campus tuition, room and board expenses (after application of other aid). U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens must complete a FAFSA form in order to qualify for the Diversity Grant. All recipients must maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress in order for the award to be renewed annually. No application is necessary for renewal of the Diversity Grant. The application for this grant program can be printed here.

Athletic Awards

Athletic Awards are awarded to student athletes through each specific athletic team.

Lincoln Memorial University greatly benefits from the generosity of donors who have made annual and endowed scholarships possible for our students.  The annual and endowed scholarship application is available for all current LMU students and those who have been accepted for the upcoming academic year. The application and all supporting documentation must be submitted by January 31st.

Students may access the application from MyLMU's "Quick Links" tab. From that menu, select the "Annual and Endowed Scholarship Portal" option and log in (if prompted) using your LMU credentials. ​

Please note that this online application is only for annual and endowed scholarships, and does not replace any other Financial Aid forms or processes. If you have questions, please contact [email protected].

Federal Pell Grant

Federal Pell Grants are available to undergraduate students and provide a foundation to which other forms of financial aid may be added. To determine if you are eligible, the U.S. Department of Education uses a standard formula, established by Congress, to evaluate the information you report on the FAFSA. The maximum Pell Grant award for 2021-2022 is $6,495.  

The amount of Pell Grant awarded is based on the student’s anticipated enrollment status for the academic year.  The amount varies based on his/her enrollment status (full time, ¾ time, ½ time, less than ½ time).  The U.S. Department of Education limits the amount of Pell Grant a student can receive to the equivalent of six full-time years, or 600%. 

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) are awarded to undergraduate students who have exceptional financial need and receive Pell Grants in that award year. The average FSEOG award at Lincoln Memorial University is $600-$1,200 per year.

Federal Work-Study

Work-study is a federally funded program that allows students with financial need to work a part-time job.  Due to limited funding for the program, students who are interested in participating should complete the Work Study Request Form in the "Quick Links" section of MyLMU.  The Office of Student Financial Services will review funding and the student’s eligibility based on financial need and will let the student know if they qualify via email.  If a student is eligible, we will send the student a work-study packet that must be completed and returned by the deadline that is given to the student.  If the packet is not returned by the deadline, the work-study position would be forfeited.  

Students awarded work-study jobs will be paid monthly for the number of hours worked during the pay period.  The pay rate is $8.50 per hour for new work-study students.  Students may apply their work-study earnings to reduce any balance owed; however, students may retain these funds for other education related expenses. 

Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA)

The Tennessee Student Assistance Award Program (TSAA) was established to provide non-repayable financial assistance to financially-needy undergraduate students who are residents of Tennessee.  To qualify, a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) must be 3500 or less.  To receive priority consideration, students are strongly encouraged to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after October 1 each year.  Official notification of eligibility is sent to the student by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC).  For more information, please visit the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) website.

Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (HOPE Scholarship)

The TN HOPE Scholarship is awarded to entering freshmen who graduate from a TN eligible high school with a minimum of a 21 ACT (or minimum of 1060 SAT) or an overall minimum 3.0 GPA.  Completion of the FAFSA is a requirement each year.  To retain the HOPE Scholarship, there are minimum grade point averages a student must maintain.  For full award information and eligibility requirements, visit the TSAC website.

Note:  The Office of Student Financial Services will sometimes award the HOPE Scholarship on an estimated basis or hold off on awarding it until all final transcripts are received in order to determine eligibility. 

Aspire Award

The Aspire Award is a supplement to the HOPE Scholarship.  Students who are eligible for HOPE may receive the Aspire Award if the parents' or independent student’s (and spouse’s) adjusted gross income is $36,000 or less on their IRS tax forms.  For more information, visit the TSAC website.

General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS)

The General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS) is a supplement to the HOPE Scholarship.  To qualify, the student must be HOPE eligible and have a minimum 29 on the ACT and a 3.75 final GPA.  Homeschool students have additional criteria to meet.  Students may receive either GAMS or Aspire Award, but not both.  For more information, visit the TSAC website.

Tennessee Promise

The TN Promise Scholarship is a last dollar scholarship awarded to entering freshman enrolled full-time in an associates degree program.  Students must file a FAFSA, complete the TN Promise application on the TSAC Student Portal, attend mandatory meetings, perform community service, and participate in a mentoring program.  When award amounts are determined, the state sets a rate for private universities to use that is comparable to the rate of a community college.  From that rate, we must subtract any HOPE, TSAA, and Pell Grant amounts a student is eligible for and what is remaining is what the student is awarded in TN Promise funds.  For full award information, requirements, and deadlines, visit the TSAC website.

Note: The Office of Student Financial Services awards TN Promise closer to the start of the semester because we must confirm that conditions for eligibility are met prior to awarding.

Tennessee Reconnect Grant

TN Reconnect is awarded to independent students (as determined by the FAFSA).  Recipients may not have previously earned an associate or baccalaureate degree.  Students must enroll at least half-time in an associates degree program, file a FAFSA, complete the TN Reconnect application on the TSAC Student Portal, participate in a college success program (as determined by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission), and maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.  For full award information, requirements, and deadlines, visit the TSAC website.

Additional Information:

To prevent a delay in receiving TN funds, make sure that Lincoln Memorial University is set as your institution by logging into the TSAC Student Portal.

Before dropping courses, always check with the Office of Student Financial Services to see how it may affect your financial aid. 

For a list of all TN state programs, award information, and eligibility requirements, visit the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) website.

Students attending the Corbin campus of Lincoln Memorial University, who are KY residents, may be eligible to receive Kentucky state scholarships and grants administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA). 

At least 50% of the classes a student enrolls in must be in-seat courses for a student to receive KY state funds. The Office of Student Financial Services typically awards KY state funds closer to the start of the semester to confirm enrollment hours and percentage of in-seat courses.  For more information regarding KY state awards, please visit KHEAA.

Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES)

The Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) program provides scholarships to students who earn at least a 2.5 GPA each year of attendance at a certified KY high school.  The better a student does in high school, the more money they earn toward college.  If not enrolled full-time, KEES award amounts pro-rate based on enrollment status.  For more information, visit KHEAA.

If a student is eligible to receive a KEES award and is attending the Harrogate campus of LMU, we offer the institutional LMU KY Award, which is a replacement of the KEES money the student would have been eligible for if attending an institution in KY.  

Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) 

The Kentucky Tuition Grant (KTG) is need-based aid to help Kentucky residents attend eligible Kentucky private colleges.  To qualify, a student must be enrolled full-time.  Funds are awarded by the state on a first come, first served basis.  For more information, visit KHEAA.

College Access Program (CAP) Grant 

The College Access Program (CAP) Grant is a Kentucky state grant for financially needy students.  Eligible students must enroll at least half-time.  Award amounts pro-rate based on enrollment status.  Funds are awarded by the state on a first come, first served basis.  For more information, visit KHEAA.

Students attending the Tampa, FL campus of Lincoln Memorial University may be eligible to receive Florida state financial assistance from programs including, but not limited to, the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program and the Florida Student Assistance Grant Program.  For more information regarding Florida state programs, visit the Office of Student Financial Assistance website.

Lincoln Memorial University participates in the Tuition Exchange Scholarship Program.   We are participants in two different Tuition Exchange programs: 

Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) Tuition Exchange Program (TEP) 

The Tuition Exchange (TE)

Lists of participating institutions can be found on each program’s website.  For more information, please contact the Office of Human Resources.