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 allows students to complete academic coursework at Pellissippi State Community College for one year by taking classes in-person with some online eligibility. 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 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 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 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 website.
Timeline
Fall 2024
- Keep your grades up! You need at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for a successful transfer to UT Knoxville.
- 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 2025
- 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 next steps about transfer credit evaluations, confirming your 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
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 website.
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.
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.