On Dec. 2 and 3, students from Austin-East Magnet, Central and Fulton high schools were surprised with early admissions offers and Flagship Scholarships to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in front of their friends, family, teachers and mentors. These 57 seniors represent the first members of UT’s Class of 2029. Additional surprise admissions and scholarship events are planned across the state next spring.
Austin-East, Central and Fulton are three of 52 high schools across East, Middle and West Tennessee whose students are eligible for the Flagship Scholarship, which covers tuition and mandatory fees for up to eight semesters when combined with the HOPE Scholarship. All admitted first-year students who graduate from a designated Flagship high school are eligible. With the expansion of the Flagship Scholarship program earlier this year, UT remains committed to providing an accessible and affordable education to Tennesseans.
“At UT, we’re proud to partner with high schools across the state to provide opportunities for students to come to the university,” said Hannah Hodges, assistant director of strategic outreach and recruitment for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, who works closely with students at Flagship high schools to help them complete their college applications. “Through initiatives like the Flagship Scholarship program, we’re able to offer more pathways to a UT degree than ever before. UT impacts all areas of the state, and we stand ready to recruit the next generation of Volunteers who will go on to graduate and join their local workforce.”
The students from Austin-East, Central and Fulton high schools have indicated an interest in pursuing majors in accounting, aerospace engineering, animal science, biological sciences, business administration, civil engineering, elementary education, geology and environmental studies, management, mechanical engineering and UT’s exploratory track.
Fulton senior Jeremias Domingo-José thought he would hear about the status of his application to UT on the early action release date of Dec. 4. As the Fulton band and cheerleading team welcomed him into the school’s auditorium on Dec. 2 for what he thought would be an assembly about college admissions, he had no idea he was about to be accepted to the university.
“I had to work hard to keep my grades up and had to study and do a lot of homework, but it pays off,” said Domingo-José, who plans to study mechanical engineering next fall. “I didn’t know what to major in, but as I got through high school, I realized mechanical engineering is something I’ve taken an interest in.”
Next Steps for Admitted Students
Admitted students have until May 1 to confirm their enrollment. The Flagship Scholarship is part of the UT Knoxville Tri-Star Scholarship program, a suite of scholarships specifically designed to help Tennesseans achieve an affordable education at the university.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Maggie Palmer (865-974-3993, mpalme19@utk.edu)
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