Scholarships
Through the generosity of our donors, the Baker School offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate Public Affairs and CCT majors, supporting students as they pursue their education and prepare for careers in public service.
Certain scholarships also incorporate criteria specified by individual donors. Award amounts vary by scholarship and are renewable for four years, assuming the student complies with scholarship requirements. Baker School scholarships may be combined with need-based, state, institutional, and competitive academic scholarships. Please note that multiple Baker School scholarships are not always stackable with one another.
Baker LLC Scholarship
Students who apply and are accepted to live in the Baker School LLC through University Housing are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship each semester they live in the LLC and complete programmatic requirements. This scholarship can be stacked with other Baker School scholarships. The award is not renewable beyond the first year.
Only students in Baker majors are eligible for the LLC scholarship.
Tocqueville Scholars
The Tocqueville Scholars program is a 4-year scholars program grounded in the ideas of Alexis de Tocqueville designed to educate exceptional students in America’s constitutional, economic, and political foundations. Through an in-depth curriculum, the Tocqueville Scholars program prepares students to become civic leaders in government, law, business, and public affairs. Students in the program will receive a $1,250 scholarship each semester they are active in the program. The application process for this program is separate from the above scholarships and can be found below.
Transfer Student Scholarship
The Baker School awards limited scholarships to internal and external transfers. These awards range from $1,500 to $2,000 annually and are renewable for up to three years. Recipients are required to maintain a high GPA and engage in Baker School small groups. Students can apply for the award twice yearly, with March 1 and July 1 deadlines. Applications for these awards follow a different timeline and will open in February.
Baker Founders Scholarship
Baker Founders is an exclusive scholarship program designed for high-achieving high school students across the nation who are passionate about public service. By removing financial barriers, the program empowers tomorrow’s public leaders to focus on developing the skills, knowledge and connections they need to make a meaningful impact and help shape the future of public policy and civics.
Baker Founders receive a $40,000 scholarship over four years, along with exclusive access to experiential learning opportunities and a network of leaders in public service. These experiences provide students with the knowledge, connections and support to pursue meaningful careers and make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.
Baker Founders Highlights
- 3-4 students are selected each year, ensuring a close-knit, high-impact community of
future public servants - $10,000 awarded annually, $40,000 total over four years
- Automatic participation in University Honors’ Chancellor’s Honors Program
- Exclusive opportunities to engage with prominent speakers, policymakers, and guests
- A guaranteed internship in Washington, D.C.
Baker Founders Qualifications
This program is designed for ambitious students who are ready to be part of the solution. To be
considered, applicants must:
- Hold a 32+ ACT superscore (or SAT equivalent) and a 4.0+ UT Core GPA
- Apply to UTK by the November 1 Early Action Deadline as a Public Affairs or Civic and
Constitutional Thought major - Apply to the University Honors’ Chancellor’s Honors Program by November 18
- Both in-state and out-of-state applicants are encouraged to apply.
Important Deadlines
- November 1: Early Action Deadline
- November 1: Baker Founders Priority Deadline for University Honors Application
- November 18: University Honors Application Deadline
- Finalists will be invited to complete a virtual interview with the Baker Founders Committee as the
final step in the selection process