The University of Tennessee has announced a new financial-aid program for state students from middle- and working-class families. UT Promise provides free tuition to qualifying Tennessee residents enrolled in University of Tennessee campuses in Knoxville, Chattanooga and Martin.

UT Promise would guarantee free tuition and fees for students with a family household income of under $50,000, and applies after other financial aid is received.

To be eligible, students must first qualify for the Hope Scholarship, and meet all academic qualifications to attend U.T. To help ensure success, students will be matched with mentors and will be required to complete four hours of service learning each semester.

“It is critically important that we take a lead role in ensuring students can achieve their dream of obtaining an undergraduate college degree,” said U.T. Interim President Randy Boyd, in his announcement of the new program. “It is our mission and responsibility to do everything we can to ease the financial burden for our middle- and working-class families, and UT Promise is an ideal conduit to achieve that.”

UT Promise will begin in the fall 2020 semester.

The scholarship program will include students previously enrolled in college when the program begins in 2020. Qualifying Tennessee residents who meet the criteria for UT Promise may transfer from any institution. UT Promise is an expansion of scholarship offerings and does not replace existing scholarships.

The University of Tennessee Foundation plans to launch the UT Promise Endowment campaign at the same time in order to help fund this initiative.

“This endowment will allow this to truly be a promise and guarantee for years to come,” Boyd said.