Vanderbilt unveils new full-ride scholarships for certain MNPS students

Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

Vanderbilt University will offer full-ride scholarships to Metro Nashville Public Schools students who fall under certain financial restrictions, starting with those applying for the fall 2025 semester.

The scholarship program, known as Nashville Vanderbilt Scholars, will cover direct costs at Vanderbilt, including tuition, fees, housing and meals. It also includes a one-time $6,000 summer stipend following a student's second or third year at the university to help offset the costs of doing a summer internship. The university and district announced the program during a joint news conference at McGavock High School on Wednesday.

When MNPS Director Adrienne Battle first learned about what Vanderbilt wanted to do through the program, she was deeply moved.

"I have to admit, I got a little teary-eyed," she said during the news conference.

Students must meet the following requirements to receive the scholarship:

  • Gain admission to Vanderbilt through its Early Decision I or II plans

  • Qualify for a Federal Pell Grant or have parent income of $100,000 or less

Students walk across the Vanderbilt University campus.
Students walk across the Vanderbilt University campus.

Early decision plans are designed for students committed to attending Vanderbilt, according to the university's website. They come with signed agreements that students will withdraw applications to all other colleges and universities upon acceptance.

Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier was on hand to share the news Wednesday, along with several MNPS leaders, school board members and other local elected officials. He said the program is the latest in a long history of collaboration between his university and MNPS to enhance educational experiences and break down barriers.

"Vanderbilt is proud to take part in this partnership," Diermeier said. "In Nashville and nationwide, there are too many promising students who don't learn about the path to college around their family dinner table. ... As the first of my family to graduate from high school, I know this firsthand and what challenges it can present to students and their families."

The partnership also includes collaboration with MNPS college counselors, teachers and administrators that will help students navigate the college search, application and acceptance process. The university will offer its research and expertise to the district to bolster its existing college readiness program.

The Wednesday announcement coincided with National College Signing Day, which is when students planning to attend college often say which school they've chosen.

"We know Vanderbilt University is one of several excellent higher education choices in Middle Tenneseee, and we would love to see more of our students from Nashville high schools walk through those doors upon high school graduation," Battle said in a news release.

Learn more about the scholarship program at admissions.vanderbilt.edu/affordability/nashville-vanderbilt-mnps.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt unveils new full-ride scholarships for some Nashville students