Scholarships

Cleveland State Community College strives to make college affordable to everyone interested in higher education.  We provide scholarships to new high school graduates, transfer students, non-traditional students, low-income students, and minority students.  Below you will find some information on the different scholarship programs that we offer as well as the link to apply for these scholarships.

How to Apply

All of our scholarships are available through our online scholarship application.  Applicants can complete the general application for most scholarship opportunities, although some scholarships require students to answer additional questions to qualify for those funds. Students must be accepted to Cleveland State and have access to their CougarNet to apply for scholarships. 

Please click the links below to view the various available scholarships and application requirements in our online scholarship application.

Available Scholarships 
Online Scholarship Application

Scholarship Opportunities:

Foundation Scholarships

Each year, the Cleveland State Community College Foundation provides a number of scholarships based on academic achievement and need.  Students can browse all available Foundation Scholarship awards and requirements by clicking on the "Available Scholarships" link above. Award amounts vary. 

Minimum Requirements:

  • 2.0 high school or college GPA
  • Must enroll in at least 3 credit hours each semester
  • Recipients must submit a Thank-You Letter to their scholarship donor

 

Presidential Honors Scholarship

The Presidential Honors Scholarship will award academically motivated students by assisting with the cost of books and other educational expenses, such as non-mandatory fees. Interested students should complete the supplemental application, which includes short essay questions and requires a letter of recommendation. Recipients of the scholarship will join the Honors College at Cleveland State. Award amount: $1,000 per semester for up to four semesters. 

Minimum Requirements:

  • 3.5 High School GPA required to apply
  • Maintain a 3.25 college GPA
  • Commit to joining the Honors College
  • Enroll in at least 15 hours each semester (as needed to maintain timely progress towards

           completion of degree)

 

Principal's Academic Service Scholarship

The Cleveland State Principal's Ambassador Scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors from each high school in our 5-county service area. Scholarship recipients are selected by their high school principal and must have a 3.0 high school GPA or higher. Selected candidates are considered on the basis of academic achievement, leadership skills, character, poise and articulation. Recipients of Principal's Ambassador scholarship are required to provide 30 hours of service and be enrolled as a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours each semester). Scholarship recipients are also required to maintain a 2.75 GPA. Scholarship recipients will serve as representatives of the college by receiving visitors to the campus, visiting area high schools and assisting college staff at many campus functions/events.

Minimum Requirements:

  • 3.0 minimum high school GPA
  • Must enroll in at least 12 credit hours per semester
  • Must complete 30 service hours each semester
  • Must maintain a college GPA of 2.75 or higher

 

 

The George R. Johnson Entrepreneurship Scholarship

The George R. Johnson Entrepreneurship Scholarship is available to incoming and current Entrepreneurship students at Cleveland State Community College.  The scholarship requires an application and an interview with the Entrepreneurship program committee. Scholarship funds can be used to assist with the cost of books and other educational expenses, such as non-mandatory fees.  Interested students should complete the supplemental application, which includes a short essay.   Award amount:  $500 per semester for up to four sequential semesters, for a total scholarship award of $2,000 over two years. 

Requirements for Scholarship – To be eligible for the scholarship, students must

  • Major in Entrepreneurship 
  • Join and actively participate in the Cleveland State Student Entrepreneurship Club
  • Maintain full time enrollment status (12 credit hours or more)

Maintaining the Scholarship – Students earning the George R. Johnson scholarship are required to take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and maintain a 2.5 GPA.  In addition, membership and active participation in the Entrepreneurship Club each semester is required to maintain eligibility.

If students who do not meet the requirements for maintaining the scholarship, either for hours per semester, GPA, or participation in the club, the student can write a letter to the Entrepreneurship committee explaining their situation and ask for a semester to reestablish the minimum requirements.  The committee will review the letter and if the request is granted, the student will have one semester to correct the deficiency(s).  

 

 Apply Here!

 

Access & Diversity Grant

The purpose of the Access and Diversity Grant Program is to enhance the rate of participation, progression, and completion in higher education by a diverse population of students. In general, applicants must fall into at least two of the following subpopulations to qualify: 25 years or older; low income; Academically Underprepared; majoring in a High-Need Program; or a resident of either McMinn, Meigs, or Monroe counties.  Award amounts: $1,000 per semester of full-time enrollment. $500 per semester of part-time enrollment.

Minimum Requirements:

  • 2.0 high school or college GPA
  • Must enroll in at least 6 credit hours per semester

 

 

Contact Information

If you have questions or need to turn in scholarship documents to the Financial Aid Office, please visit the Enrollment Services Center in the Student Center or contact us via e-mail at enroll@clevelandstatecc.edu

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Partners & Initiatives

  • Cleveland Bradley Business Incubator
  • America's SBDC Tennesseey
  • Your Skills. Your Future.
  • OneSource
  • Cleveland State Sustainability Initiative
  • TBR The College System of Tennessee
  • TN eCampus
  • Tennessee Transfer Pathway