If your goal is to start university in the United States in Fall 2026, East Tennessee State University (ETSU) is worth serious attention—mainly because it offers International Merit Scholarships that can reduce your yearly study costs, and in most cases you don’t have to submit a separate scholarship application to be considered.
ETSU is a public university in Johnson City, Tennessee, offering programs across arts and sciences, business, technology, education, and health fields. For international students who want an affordable U.S. degree with scholarship support, ETSU’s merit awards are one of the more straightforward routes.
This Fall 2026 guide explains what the scholarship is, what you can receive, who qualifies, who doesn’t, how long the scholarship lasts, how to apply, and the official Fall 2026 deadlines.
What are ETSU International Merit Scholarships?
ETSU International Merit Scholarships are merit-based awards for new international students who are admitted as degree-seeking students. These scholarships are meant to help reduce the cost of studying as an out-of-state/international student, and awards are generally based on your academic performance (especially GPA).
What you can receive in Fall 2026?
ETSU lists different award levels depending on whether you are applying for an undergraduate or graduate program.
Undergraduate merit scholarships
- Blue Scholarship: $5,000 per year (commonly linked with GPA above 3.0)
- Gold Scholarship: $7,000 per year (commonly linked with GPA above 3.5)
- Elite Scholarship: $9,000 per year (commonly linked with GPA above 3.75)
Graduate merit scholarships
- Master’s Merit Scholarship: $5,000 per year (commonly linked with GPA above 3.0)
- Doctoral Merit Scholarship: $9,000 per year (commonly linked with GPA above 3.0)
Eligibility Requirements for Fall 2026 applicants
To qualify for an ETSU International Merit Scholarship, applicants typically must:
- Be admitted to ETSU as a degree-seeking student
- Hold (or plan to hold) a valid international student status/visa category used for full-time study
- Meet the minimum academic requirement of 3.0 GPA or higher, based on your level:
- Freshman applicants: 3.0 GPA in high school
- Transfer applicants: 3.0 GPA in previous university coursework
- Graduate applicants: 3.0 GPA in undergraduate coursework
Who is not eligible?
Some applicants are typically not eligible for these scholarships, including:
- Applicants for a second bachelor’s degree if the previous degree was granted by ETSU
- Students paying in-state or E-rate tuition
- Students applying to M.D. or PharmD. programs
- Students who do not have lawful, active status required for full-time study.
Scholarship duration for Fall 2026 students
ETSU limits how long you can receive this scholarship:
- Undergraduate students: up to 8 semesters, as long as you maintain the scholarship requirements
- Graduate students: up to 5 semesters, or aligned with the length of the degree program
How to apply for ETSU (Fall 2026)?
The application process is simple:
- Choose your degree program and apply for admission to ETSU for Fall 2026.
- After you apply, you are generally automatically considered for the International Merit Scholarship, as long as you meet the eligibility rules.
- Apply before these dates: https://www.etsu.edu/admissions/apply/deadlines.php
Your job is to submit a strong admission application with clear academic records—because that’s what usually determines your scholarship tier.
Fall 2026 deadlines you must follow!
For the Fall 2026 intake at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), the application deadline is Thursday, August 20, 2026 (by 11:59 p.m.), and the deadline to submit all required documents is Monday, August 24, 2026 (by 4:30 p.m.). Classes for the Fall 2026 semester will begin on Monday, August 24, 2026