Welcome to the online version of the Tennessee Women’s Scholarship Directory, which was published by the Women’s Social Policy and Research Center at Vanderbilt University in August 2003. All of the chapters are available for download from the links below as .pdf documents.  (You will need Adobe Acrobat to view the Tennessee Women's Scholarship Directory files.  To download this software for free, click here).

This section explains how to use the directory and will make your search more effective.  This is the best place to start your search, followed by the index (see below).

You will find three types of information in the following chapters: (1) suggestions for finding sources of financial aid; (2) a map and contact information for institutions of higher education in Tennessee; and (3) a list of scholarships.

Chapter 1 includes general information about the scholarship and loan search and application process.

Chapter 2 includes websites for searches, resources for writing essays and completing applications, and scams to watch out for.

Chapter 3 includes resources for nontraditional students, who are students age 25 and older.

Chapter 4 includes information about service based scholarship opportunities, such as Peace Corps, Teach for America, AmeriCorps, City Year, and all branches of the U.S. military.

Chapter 5 lists the public and independent colleges and universities, community colleges, and technology centers in Tennessee. 

Chapter 5a is a map of Tennessee which is helpful for finding schools in specific areas of the state.  It includes the locations of Tennessee’s public and independent colleges, universities, community colleges, technology centers, and two-year schools.

Chapter 5b contains a list of contact information for the admissions and financial aid departments of Tennessee institutions of higher education.  Contact information for Women’s Centers or Women’s Studies Programs is provided for the schools that have them.

Chapter 6 lists national scholarships that are open to students across the United States.  These scholarships are usually sponsored by large national organizations.  Chapter 6 contains scholarships #1-132. 

Chapter 7 lists scholarships open to nontraditional students on both the national and state level. Nontraditional students are students age 25 and older.  Chapter 7 contains scholarships #133-154.

Chapter 8 lists scholarships that are a) open only to Tennessee residents, b) open to residents of specific states including Tennessee, or c) open only to residents of certain regions of Tennessee.  Scholarships in this section are sponsored by Tennessee organizations or chapters of national organizations. They are primarily local scholarships.  Chapter 8 contains scholarships #155-281.

The best place to start searching for scholarships is in the index.

How to use the Index

Start by searching the categories listed in the index that apply to you, such as your gender, race, residency or where you live, interest or major, contests or essay competitions, need- or merit-based, and level of education. 

Each scholarship is numbered.  The numbers in the index are scholarship numbers, NOT page numbers.  Once you have determined which scholarship numbers you want to look up, look in the corresponding chapter.

Chapter 6 contains scholarships number #1-132. 

Chapter 7 contains scholarships #133-154. 

Chapter 8 contains scholarships #155-281.

For example, if you are trying to find scholarships for Cuban students, you would start by looking in the Race/Ethnicity section for “Cuban.”  Scholarship #61 is listed under “Cuban” in the index.  This scholarship is in Chapter 6, which contains scholarships #1-132.  Finally, you can go to the link for Chapter 6 and find this scholarship.

This website was made possible by a grant from the Women's Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

Support for the printed version of the directory was provided by the following offices at Vanderbilt University:

Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center

Office of the Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs

Opportunity Development Center

Women's Studies Program