The Junior League of Knoxville created the JLK Scholarship in 2018 to further our mission of advancing women’s leadership by empowering young women in our area to reach their full academic potential.   The Scholarship Committee endeavors to reward the efforts of young women in the Knoxville community who likewise show a commitment to bettering themselves, their peers, and the community as a whole through educational achievement and community involvement.  

JLK Scholarships are available to local female high school seniors seeking to pursue an undergraduate degree at an institution of higher learning and are intended to provide financial assistance for college.  The number of scholarships awarded each year is determined based upon our annual budget, and the amount available for all scholarships is published along with available applications on that year’s information and application page.  Applications typically open in January and are due by March 1 of the applicable year giving the Scholarship Committee time to review each application and notify those women who have been awarded scholarships in time to attend our May General Membership Meeting where scholarship recipients are recognized.

To be eligible for the JLK Scholarship, applicants must be a female student expecting to graduate this year from a Knox County, Tennessee high school enrolling in a full-time undergraduate degree-granting program or a two-year college program and must possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale).  Typical application requirements for the JLK Scholarship are as follows:

• Completed online scholarship application
• One (1) essay response
• One letter of recommendation (school counselor/teacher/community leader–non-family)
• Unofficial transcript of grades (an official transcript will be required by all scholarship recipients prior to disbursement)
• Certification by school official
• Acceptance and/or affirmation of application to a college/university (if available)

The application period for the 2024 JLK Scholarship has closed.   Check back here for applications for next year’s JLK Scholarship in February 2025.