CFMT General Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s general scholarship program brings together donor funds for students with different profiles: financial need, school or geographic background, field of study, and other specific criteria. Rather than one uniform award, students submit a central application and the foundation determines which funds match their information. The route may serve recent graduates as well as continuing students at eligible colleges.
About CFMT General Scholarship Program
The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s general scholarship program brings together donor funds for students with different profiles: financial need, school or geographic background, field of study, and other specific criteria. Rather than one uniform award, students submit a central application and the foundation determines which funds match their information. The route may serve recent graduates as well as continuing students at eligible colleges.
The foundation publishes an annual schedule: the general application opens December 1 at 8 a.m. Central and closes February 1 at 11:30 p.m. Decisions are released April 15; recipients complete a follow-up form by June 1, and checks are sent to colleges in mid-July, split between fall and spring. For the next cycle, confirm that this schedule and the portal instructions remain unchanged.
The application does not replace documentation required by each fund. Students should keep their profile current, prepare transcripts and recommendations, answer any supplemental questions, and describe their financial and academic circumstances accurately. Some employer-linked funds verify employment; others are limited to specific schools or parts of Middle Tennessee. Missing information can prevent the system from matching a student to an otherwise suitable award.
Awards are paid to the college rather than necessarily becoming unrestricted cash for everyday expenses, and amounts depend on individual selections. The foundation provides application resources, including translation support through Nashville school partners. Before accepting an award, ask the financial-aid office whether it changes Pell or other need-based aid, when the credit will post, and what happens if you reduce credits or transfer.
Ask the financial-aid office for a written term-by-term estimate separating tuition, fees, housing, books, and other costs. Keep the award letter, records, and any service agreement. If your studies, residence, or course load change, contact the administrator before that decision affects your aid.
College scholarship and financial-aid program