Things to know about the process this year:
The online application portal is open. Paper applications will not be accepted. Please review carefully as the applications have been updated for this year’s competition.
Sample applications are available at the links below to assist the nominee in collecting information from the student/participant.
Pre-College Application
Adult Learner Application
Only one application may be submitted per TRIO program. Institutions which have more than one program (Pre-College: Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math Science, and Talent Search and Adult Learner: Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Center, Veterans Upward Bound, McNair Scholars, and Talent Search (TS participants aged 19 and older)), may submit an application for each program. Institutions/agencies that send more than one application from the same program will be disqualified.
Individual memberships must be current to sponsor an applicant. If you have questions about your status as a member or an institutional member, please contact Dr. David Smith, TN TRIO Treasurer, dsmith@tusculum.edu .
TRIO Staff are expected to complete the application for these awards, please read the directions carefully to ensure all information is provided when the application is submitted.
Applicants will be judged and rated in the following areas with a maximum of 100 points. In addition, each applicant will need to submit a photo and short bio.
1. Essay (content, grammar, format, etc.) (50 points)
2. Academic performance/scholarship (GPA, ACT/SAT) (10 points)
3. Resume highlighting honors and awards, leadership/school activities, community service, and TRIO activities (20 points)
4. Two recommendation letters (20 points)
1. Essay (content, grammar, format, etc.) (50 points)
2. Academic performance/scholarship (10 points)
3. Two recommendation letters (20 points)
4. Resume highlighting leadership, school activities, community volunteer service and TRIO activities (20 points)
All required materials must be in by 5:00 pm EST, Friday, March 7, 2025.
Please be sure to go over the applications with your students for accuracy and completion before submitting. Each application will be reviewed and rated by the TN TRIO Scholarship Committee. No applicant’s materials will be reviewed by a person from the same college, university, or agency.
Applicants and their sponsors will be notified of results by the end of April 2025. The names (including picture and short bio) and schools of winners will be announced on the TN TRIO website (www.tasptrio.org) and other social media outlets.
For winners to receive their awards, students must provide official verification of Fall 2025 enrollment in a postsecondary institution by September 30, 2025, to David Smith TN TRIO Treasurer, dsmith@tusculum.edu . Award checks will be issued during the fall semester and made payable to the student.
All required materials must be in by 5:00 pm EST, FRIDAY March 7, 2025.
NOTE: Paper applications will not be accepted.
Any questions or concerns regarding this scholarship competition cycle should be emailed to the TN TRIO Scholarship Committee at stoutr@etsu.edu.