College Scholarships & Financial Aid

Financial aid from colleges and universities is awarded mainly in two broad categories, need-based aid and merit-based/scholarship aid. We believe the best resource for financial aid information is the Financial Aid Office at the colleges where students apply. We do not recommend that families pay a fee for financial aid advice, as many paid services provide information that is otherwise available for free. Financial Aid Officers are typically very willing to answer both specific questions about their institutional policies and more general questions. In many cases, they are also available to meet with families during campus visits. (We do recommend making an appointment in advance.)
   

Types of Financial Aid

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  • Merit-Based Aid

    Merit-based aid is given based on academic (GPA and test scores), athletic, artistic, musical, leadership, or other co-curricular achievements. Check the financial aid page of the university website for more information. For example, see the criteria for the Volunteer Scholarship. 

  • Need-Based Aid

    Need-based aid is given based on household income. For example, students may qualify for the Pell Grant from the federal government and/or institutional aid if the household income falls under certain limits. At UTK, the UT Promise Scholarship is a need-based scholarship (not to be confused with the TN Promise Scholarship). 

Sources of Financial Aid

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  • The Federal Government

    For federal aid, you must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each year. Make sure you are applying for the upcoming year. For example, in the fall of 2026 you need to work on the 2027-2028 FAFSA. The FAFSA usually opens around October 1 each year. 

    Here is a step-by-step guide to help you complete the FAFSA. It's best if the student begins the process by creating an account then invites a parent.

  • The State of TN

    TN aid includes the TN Promise Scholarship, TN Hope Scholarship, and the Ned McWherter Scholars Program. For the full list, read about TN aid and eligibility here. Applications for state aid require completion of the FAFSA or an application through the TSAC portal. Make sure to submit all applications by the stated deadlines.

  • The Institution

    To learn about a university's financial aid offerings, visit their website's financial aid page or contact their financial aid office. For example, here is UTK's financial aid and scholarship page. Applying for financial aid and scholarships usually includes a separate application from the application for admission, as well as different deadlines. However, some schools automatically consider applicants for a variety of scholarships without an additional application. Eligibility for institutional aid also usually requires completion of the FAFSA each year. In addition, some colleges require submission of the CSS Profile. (The CSS Profile collects more detailed financial information than the FAFSA.) Here is an expected timeline:
     
    • Apply for admission by November 1. (For UTK you can still update test scores in your Go Vols account until November 15.) 
    • Submit your FAFSA by December 1. 
    • Receive your estimated financial aid offer in January 2027. This will show the aid & scholarships you qualify for and the total cost you will be expected to pay. (If you want to get an estimate now, complete the Net Price Calculator on any university website.) *You can appeal your financial aid offer by contacting the admissions office.

  • Private Companies or Organizations

    This type of aid is also called outside scholarships. Begin by checking if your parents work for employers that provide scholarships to children of employees. Additionally, here is a link to a small list of private scholarships. 

    Also, several websites match applicants with private scholarships, such as scholarships.com. The websites below collect a wide range of scholarships in one place. Just create an account and fill out your profile on each site, and they’ll suggest scholarships that are a good fit for you.

    *Please watch out for scholarship scams in this area. You should be suspicious of an organization if they do any of the following:

    • Insist on your credit card number, any bank account number, calling card number, or social security number.
    • Request payment of a fee to apply for scholarships.
    • Pressure you to act fast. “This offer will expire…”.
    • Request an advance fee to apply for a low-interest educational loan.
    • Offer to apply on your behalf or claim to have an influence on scholarship sponsors.
    • Guarantee scholarship winnings or search results
    • Have loose eligibility requirements.
    • Use a mail drop as a return address.
    • Do not include a telephone number for inquiries, or have only an answering machine at the number given.
    • Send you a notification that you were selected to receive a scholarship for which you never applied.
    • Attempt to lure you in with financial aid information in order to sell you something else (i.e. life insurance annuities, etc.).

Scholarships Requiring CAK Nominations

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Christian Academy of Knoxville

529 Academy Way
Knoxville, TN 37923
(865) 690-4721
Knoxville's premier preschool to 12th grade private, college preparatory, Christian school located in Knox County, Tennessee.
© 2024 Christian Academy of Knoxville