The University of Memphis Scholarship routes include admission-based academic awards for international undergraduates and a defined non-resident merit award for eligible graduate students. Each route has separate academic, enrolment, and renewal conditions.
This guide explains the verified scholarship structure, admission standards, documents, and application sequence. Applicants should match their degree level and immigration status to the official University of Memphis rules before relying on an award.
Key Facts
- Institution: University of Memphis, a public research university in Tennessee, United States.
- Main keyword: University of Memphis Scholarship.
- Undergraduate route: competitive merit scholarships for newly admitted degree-seeking international students.
- Graduate route: the Graduate Non-Resident Merit Scholarship for eligible entering graduate students.
- Graduate benefit: $2,100 per fall or spring semester, totaling $4,200 per academic year.
- Undergraduate renewal: academic awards may renew for up to three additional years.
- Undergraduate study load: at least 12 credit hours per semester.
- Graduate renewal GPA: at least a 3.0 University of Memphis GPA each semester.
- Application basis: admission information is used for the principal international merit review.
- Official source: the University of Memphis international scholarship page.
University Overview
The University of Memphis is a public research institution in Memphis, Tennessee. It offers undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, professional, and online programs through academic colleges and departments serving a broad range of fields.
International students apply through the university’s admission system and submit academic records plus proof of English proficiency when required. Graduate departments can add program-specific prerequisites, references, statements, portfolios, or tests beyond the university minimum.
Scholarships are administered through admission review, the Scholarship Office, academic departments, and the Tiger Scholarship Manager. An admission offer and a scholarship decision are separate, and the university states that its awards are selective.
Scholarship Overview
- International undergraduate merit awards are for newly admitted degree-seeking students in F-1 or J-1 status studying on campus.
- Dual citizens and permanent residents are not eligible for the international merit route.
- Continuing students are excluded from the entering international merit scholarship.
- Undergraduate review can use high-school GPA with ACT or SAT scores, or GPA alone for certain awards.
- Undergraduate awards apply to fall and spring study and may renew for three additional years.
- The Graduate Non-Resident Merit Scholarship supports qualified entering graduate students charged non-resident or international tuition.
- The graduate award is admission-based and does not require a separate scholarship application.
- Departmental scholarships and graduate assistantships follow separate criteria and application processes.
Eligible Majors
The principal international undergraduate merit review is not limited to one published major. Newly admitted students in eligible on-campus degree programs may be considered, while any college or department can impose additional academic requirements.
The Graduate Non-Resident Merit Scholarship applies across eligible graduate degree programs but excludes the law school. Departmental scholarships and assistantships may be restricted to a particular subject, research area, teaching need, or professional program.
Target Groups
Undergraduate merit scholarships target first-time international applicants who are newly admitted, degree-seeking, studying on campus, and holding or seeking F-1 or J-1 status. Students already enrolled at the university are not eligible for this entering-student award.
The graduate non-resident award serves entering students who are charged non-resident or international tuition and meet the academic threshold. U.S. non-residents, permanent residents, and F-1 or J-1 students can qualify when all published conditions are satisfied.
Benefits
- Competitive undergraduate merit support based on academic performance.
- Undergraduate funding for fall and spring semesters.
- Potential undergraduate renewal for up to three additional years.
- $2,100 graduate award per eligible fall semester.
- $2,100 graduate award per eligible spring semester.
- $4,200 total graduate benefit per academic year.
- Separate departmental scholarships available through Tiger Scholarship Manager.
- Graduate assistantships that may include tuition, fees, and a stipend under separate appointments.
Duration and Renewal by Degree
Undergraduate academic scholarships can renew for up to three additional years, giving a possible four-year support period. Renewal requires at least 12 credit hours each semester, good academic standing, and completion of any assigned service hours.
The Graduate Non-Resident Merit Scholarship is applied to fall and spring study. Recipients must remain continuously enrolled full time and earn at least a 3.0 University of Memphis GPA every semester; the final semester can be prorated if the student falls below full-time status.
Doctoral duration does not automatically extend the scholarship beyond its approved terms. Departmental scholarships and assistantships have their own appointment period, workload, progress, and renewal rules.
Scholarship Requirements
- Hold admission to an eligible University of Memphis degree program.
- Meet the student-status rules for the selected undergraduate or graduate award.
- For international undergraduate merit review, be a newly admitted on-campus F-1 or J-1 degree-seeking student.
- For undergraduate renewal, enroll in at least 12 credit hours each semester.
- Maintain good academic standing and complete any required service hours.
- For the graduate award, hold at least a 3.25 equivalent cumulative undergraduate GPA or qualifying completed master’s GPA.
- Remain subject to non-resident or international tuition for the graduate award.
- Do not combine the graduate award with an assistantship or another university non-resident tuition waiver.
Admission Requirements by Degree
Bachelor’s Degree Applicants
International applicants complete the undergraduate application, pay the application fee, upload academic documents through the applicant portal, and provide English-proficiency evidence when required. The university assesses international secondary records and may request official or translated documents.
Transfer Bachelor’s Degree Applicants
Transfer applicants submit records from every post-secondary institution attended. International college or university documents may require evaluation by an accepted credential-evaluation organization, and individual majors can impose prerequisite or GPA conditions.
Master’s Degree Applicants
Graduate admission normally requires a recognized bachelor’s degree and at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, although departments can set higher standards. Applicants submit transcripts and any program-specific statement, résumé, references, portfolio, or test requested by the department.
Doctoral Degree Applicants
Doctoral applicants need an appropriate bachelor’s or master’s degree and at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA under the university minimum. The selected doctoral program controls additional preparation, research, reference, writing, and test requirements.
English Language Requirements
For undergraduate admission, accepted minimums include TOEFL iBT 4 under the current scale, IELTS 6.0, PTE 50, Duolingo 95, or iTEP 3.7. Graduate minimums include TOEFL iBT 4, IELTS 6.5, PTE 59, Duolingo 110, or Cambridge 175, while some programs require higher scores.
Applicants can also qualify through specified English-medium education routes or the university’s English program. Review the current official English proficiency requirements before sending scores.
Application Steps
Step 1: Choose the Degree Program
Confirm the credential, campus delivery, departmental prerequisites, and whether the program is eligible for the scholarship route you intend to use.
Step 2: Create the Admission Application
Use the university application for undergraduate or graduate admission and enter personal, academic, residency, and immigration information consistently.
Step 3: Submit Academic Records
Upload the required secondary or post-secondary documents, translations, and credential evaluation when the university or program requests them.
Step 4: Provide English Evidence
Submit an accepted test score or qualifying waiver evidence, and arrange official verification where required.
Step 5: Complete Program Materials
Provide references, a statement, résumé, portfolio, or test results only when the selected department requires them.
Step 6: Receive the Admission Review
Monitor the applicant portal and email, respond to missing-item requests, and wait for the formal degree admission decision.
Step 7: Check Scholarship Consideration
Confirm admission-based merit review and use Tiger Scholarship Manager for additional institutional or departmental opportunities that require an application.
Step 8: Accept and Maintain the Award
Follow the award notice, enroll in the required course load, satisfy academic and service conditions, and report conflicting university funding.
Required Documents
- Admission Application
- Passport Identification Page
- Official Secondary School Transcript
- Official Post-Secondary Transcript
- Certified English Translation
- Credential Evaluation Report
- English Proficiency Score Report
- Statement of Purpose
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
- Letters of Recommendation
Practical Tips
- Advice: Identify whether your scholarship review is automatic, admission-based, or portal-based.
- Advice: Use the same spelling of your name on the application, passport, transcripts, and test records.
- Advice: Ask the department whether a higher English score or GPA applies to your major.
- Advice: Arrange official score verification after uploading the initial report.
- Advice: Keep undergraduate and graduate scholarship rules in separate checklists.
- Advice: Confirm that another waiver or assistantship will not replace the graduate merit award.
- Advice: Track credit-hour enrolment before changing or withdrawing from courses.
- Advice: Record required service hours and obtain confirmation after each activity.
- Advice: Save the admission decision, award notice, and every submitted attachment.
- Advice: Recheck the official award page before each renewal period.
Conclusion
A University of Memphis Scholarship application succeeds when the applicant uses the correct degree-level route and meets every admission, enrolment, GPA, and funding-combination rule. Verify the official scholarship notice and program requirements before committing to a financial plan.
FAQ
Are international undergraduates considered for merit scholarships?
Yes. Newly admitted on-campus degree-seeking students in F-1 or J-1 status can receive competitive merit consideration.
Can continuing international students receive the entering merit award?
No. The principal international merit scholarship is restricted to entering first-time applicants.
How much is the graduate non-resident scholarship?
The verified award is $2,100 per fall or spring semester, totaling $4,200 per academic year.
Does the graduate scholarship require a separate application?
No. It is admission-based, and eligibility is determined during admission review.
Can a graduate assistantship be combined with the merit award?
No. Students receiving an assistantship or another university non-resident tuition waiver are not eligible for this award.
Is the undergraduate scholarship renewable?
Yes, eligible academic awards can renew for up to three additional years when all conditions are met.
What enrolment is required for undergraduate renewal?
Recipients must take at least 12 credit hours per semester and remain in good academic standing.
Are all majors included?
The international merit route is not published as a single-major award, but program eligibility and additional departmental conditions still apply.
Where do students apply for extra scholarships?
Admitted students can review matched opportunities through Tiger Scholarship Manager.
Where can applicants verify the application process?
Use the official international admission instructions and the scholarship page linked above.