High school seniors in Rutherford County that graduate in 2025 are eligible to apply for a College Scholarship from the Scarlett Family Foundation. The foundation will be accepting College Scholarship applications from between now and December 15, 2024, from students in 40-eligible counties throughout Middle Tennessee.

Scholarship amounts range from $2,500 to $30,000 per academic year and are based on financial need and merit. The awards are renewable for up to four years or until the recipient completes their undergraduate degree, whichever comes first. 

"We are delighted to announce the opening of our scholarship application window this month for students that have graduated, or will graduate, from high school in Middle Tennessee,” said Tara Scarlett, CEO of the Scarlett Family Foundation. "These scholarships are designed to ease any financial burden and empower students to achieve their career goals. We are honored to play a part in their educational journey and future success.” 

Full eligibility requirements for applicants are as follows:

• Have obtained a high school diploma or GED as a resident of one of the qualifying Middle Tennessee counties
• Intend to enroll full-time as a college freshman, sophomore, junior or 4th year senior for the upcoming academic year
• Demonstrate financial need, as determined by a 1040 tax return and the cost of tuition at the college or university you plan to attend
• Plan to pursue a Business or STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics) degree at a 4-year, not-for-profit college or university
• A minimum ACT score of 21 and a GPA of 2.5 or higher are required for high school seniors

The Scarlett Family Foundation scholarship was established in 2006. To date, the Foundation has awarded over 750 scholarships totaling more than $20 million. Scholarship recipients are studying at, or have graduated from, 60 universities across 18 states and the District of Columbia. 

Qualifying Middle Tennessee counties include: 

• Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, Davidson, Dekalb, Dickson, Fentress, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Jackson, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Moore, Overton, Perry, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne, White, Williamson, and Wilson. 

Eligibility requirements are available at scarlettfoundation.org/students. 

About the Scarlett Family Foundation - Founded in 2005, the Scarlett Family Foundation advocates, invests, and works to ensure that all students in Middle Tennessee have access to a high-quality education. Since 2018, the Foundation has helped more than 500 Middle Tennessee students attend college and awarded over 250 grants to local organizations.