Rocky Top Transfer
The Rocky Top Transfer Program is an invitation-only program offered to select students who apply to UTK as first-year applicants that allow students to complete academic coursework at Pellissippi State Community College for one year by taking classes in-person with some online availability. Upon meeting the program’s minimum 3.0 GPA and minimum 24 transferable earned credit hour requirements, Rocky Top Transfer students are guaranteed transfer admission into any non-competitive program at UT for the following Fall.
Why Choose Rocky Top Transfer?
Students who participate in the Rocky Top Transfer program are offered a guaranteed transfer admission opportunity into any non-competitive UT program for the following Fall as well as possible eligibility for the Rocky Top Transfer Scholarship.
Rocky Top Transfer Details
Admission Requirements
Students who participate in the Rocky Top Transfer program are offered a guaranteed transfer admission opportunity into any non-competitive UT program for the following Fall.
- Complete 24+ transferable earned credit hours*
- Achieve a 3.0+ GPA on a 4.0 scale
Students who complete a minimum transferable 24 earned credit hours of coursework at Pellissippi State Community College and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed transfer admission into any non-competitive UT program.
*Any remedial courses taken during your time at Pellissippi as well as any credits earned through dual enrollment or prior learning credits do not count towards the 24 transferable earned credit hour requirement.
Competitive Programs
Additional departmental review is required for UT’s competitive programs. Students not admitted into a competitive program will be admitted to their non-competitive second choice major.
Competitive programs include:
- Engineering
- Nursing
- Online Bachelors of Social Work
- Architecture
- Interior Architecture
- Graphic Design
- Music
To learn more about specific program requirements for our competitive majors, please visit our Transfer page.
Timeline
Fall 2025
- Keep your grades up! You need at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for a successful transfer to UT.
- Complete at least 12 transferable earned credit hours (remedial coursework does not count).
- Submit your Fall 25 application, including the essay.
- Pellissippi will provide your official transcripts to UT directly, so you do not need to request your transcript. If you completed any college coursework, including dual enrollment, anywhere besides Pellissippi, or AP credits in high school, you are responsible for providing official transcripts and/or test scores.
Spring 2026
- Complete the remaining 12 transferable earned credit hours for a total of 24+ transferable earned credit hours.
- Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
- Pellissippi will again provide your official transcripts to UT directly, so you do not need to request your transcript.
Once admitted, you will receive an email with your next steps about transfer credit evaluations, confirming enrollment, and additional requirements like orientation. You will not gain access to UT advising to register for Fall until after you have been admitted, confirmed enrollment and registered for orientation.
Scholarship Opportunities
To be eligible for financial aid and scholarships, your first step will be to make sure to update your FAFSA application and add Pellissippi State CC’s school code (012693) to it. Once that has been completed, you will contact Pellissippi State CC to discuss your financial aid eligibility.
Rocky Top Transfer Scholarship
The Rocky Top Transfer Scholarship is a scholarship opportunity exclusively for students who participate in the Rocky Top Transfer program. This scholarship requires enrollment at UT immediately after completing 24 Pellissippi State Community College (Pellissippi State CC) degree-applicable credits with a minimum 3.25 Pellissippi State CC GPA (does not include summer semester). This scholarship is renewable for up to three years. You must be a US citizen or permanent resident to be considered for this scholarship.
| GPA Pellissippi State CC GPA | Rocky Top Transfer Scholarship Annual Award Amounts (Six Semesters Max) |
| 3.25-3.49 | $1,500 |
| 3.5-3.74 | $3,000 |
| 3.75+ | $5,000 |
Tri-Star Scholarship Program (In-State Only)
Tennessee residents who participate in the Rocky Top Transfer pathway program and meet program requirements for guaranteed transfer admission to UT will be eligible for scholarships under the Tri-Star Scholarship Program upon enrollment at UT:
- UT Promise Scholarship
- Tennessee Pledge Scholarship
- Flagship Scholarship
- KIPP Scholarship
For more information on the Tri-Star Scholarship Program, visit our One Stop website. You must be a US citizen or permanent resident to be considered for these awards.
Students may also apply for additional transfer scholarships through our Continuing and Transfer Student Scholarship application. To learn more, visit our Transfer Student Scholarship page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rocky Top Transfer Next Steps
I have opted into the Rocky Top Transfer program (RTT). What are my next steps?
Please review this RTT page for a timeline of next steps
How do I apply to Pellissippi State CC?
Go to pstcc.edu and click on “Apply Today.” Remember to apply to Pellissippi State CC as a degree-seeking student. If you have questions or need assistance, please call Pellissippi State CC at 865-694-6400.
Will UT send Pellissippi State CC my high school transcripts, test scores, and other documentation?
No, students are responsible for sending Pellissippi State CC all required documents needed for the admissions process.
Do I need to send my official Pellissippi State CC transcript to UT after completing the RTT program?
No. Pellissippi State CC will provide your transcript directly to UT at the end of the fall and spring semesters.
Pellissippi State CC Coursework & Transferability
I live out of state and want to stay at home. Can I take all online classes for my year at Pellissippi State CC?
This depends on your intended major, standardized test scores and final high school GPA. All online math courses and some other online courses require on-site testing, and some courses are not offered online at all. If you live outside of a reasonable driving distance to Knoxville and want to be fully online at Pellissippi State CC, we encourage you to speak with Pellissippi State CC advising to discuss your options. You may email Patricia Moore or Stephanie Baker Harden for assistance.
If I have dual enrollment or AP credits, or take classes the summer before starting the RTT program, can I transfer to UT sooner?
No, this program requires a full academic year at Pellissippi State CC. Dual enrollment and AP credits do not count towards the 24 hour minimum program requirement. College courses completed the summer before starting the RTT program do not count towards the 24 hour minimum program requirement.
Does remedial coursework taken at Pellissippi State CC count towards the 24 hour requirement?
Remedial coursework does not count towards the 24 minimum program requirement; only college level transferable courses will be counted.
How can I be successful during my year at Pellissippi State CC, and how can I stay prepared for what comes next? What should I be doing during my year at PSCC?
Please review this RTT page for a timeline of next steps
Financial Aid & Scholarships
How do I receive financial aid at Pellissippi State CC?
You will need to add Pellissippi State CC’s school code to your FAFSA application to be considered for financial aid.
What type of financial aid am I eligible for at Pellissippi State CC?
Please contact Pellissippi State CC’s Financial Aid Office for questions related to your financial aid eligibility. You can reach them at 865-694-6400.
Student Life
Is Hardin Valley the only Pellissippi State CC campus in Knoxville?
No, Pellissippi State CC has three campuses in Knoxville: Hardin Valley, Magnolia and Strawberry Plains.
If I am participating in the RTT, am I considered a UT student?
Not yet! As a RTT student attending Pellissippi State CC, you are not classified as a UT student. You will be considered a UT student upon successful completion of the program and you enroll at UT.
Is housing provided to RTT students?
No, RTT students are responsible for finding their own off-campus housing. For resources on off-campus housing, go to offcampushousing.utk.edu.
Is transportation provided to RTT students?
No, RTT students are responsible for their own form of transportation. Visit our website to learn more about Knoxville’s public transit option.
Can I sign up for a UT dining plan?
No, UT dining plans are not available to RTT students. However, Pellissippi State CC’s Hardin Valley campus does have a cafeteria.
Do RTT students have access to UT student activities (e.g. student tickets for sporting events, clubs, Greek life, etc.)?
No. Since RTT students are enrolled at Pellissippi State CC, not UT, they do not have access to UT student specific activities, such as clubs, Greek life, or student tickets to sporting events. However, there are plenty of activities open to the general public, including UT sports.
More Information
More information on these steps and a complete checklist of the tasks you need to complete are available in your Go Vols Portal.