UT Access Collaborative Next Steps
This is your one-stop resource for a successful transfer to UT through the UT Access Collaborative.
Overview
Congratulations on participating in UT Access Collaborative (formerly known as the Vol Access Collaborative)! We’re excited for you to start your journey with the UT System school of your choosing and hope to see you on Rocky Top next fall.
Please continue visiting this page for the most recent information.
Transferring to Rocky Top
Here’s what you need to know to have a successful transfer experience to UT Knoxville:
- 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 and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admission into any non-competitive UT program. Our Transfer Center team will review students who fall below this criteria holistically for transfer admission.
Additional departmental review is required for UT’s competitive programs and will delay your admissions decision. 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.
*Any credits earned through dual enrollment or prior learning credits do not count towards the 24 transferable earned credit hour requirement.
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 Knoxville.
- Complete at least 12 transferable earned credit hours.
- We will email you in November inviting you to complete the Transfer Interest Form.
- You will not have to re-apply for admission! By completing the Transfer Interest Form we will handle everything for you.
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.
After you indicate your intent to transfer to UT Knoxville, we’ll send additional next steps about transfer credit evaluations, confirming your enrollment, and additional requirements like orientation to your email address. You will not receive an admissions decision or be able to complete next steps for enrollment until sometime in June, after we have received your spring grades.
Scholarship Opportunities
- General Transfer Student Scholarship Application
- You must complete the Continuing Undergraduate Student Scholarship Application by July 1 to be considered for general scholarships and college-specific scholarships.
- We recommend checking with your academic department, as some departments require additional information. If you have questions about academic college and departmental scholarships, please contact the individual college or department directly. The deadline to submit your application is July 1.
- Tri-Star Scholarship Program (In-State Only)
- Tennessee residents who participate in the UT Access Collaborative 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.
- Tennessee residents who participate in the UT Access Collaborative 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 Access Collaborative Open Office Hours
For additional information and to answer any questions you may have, schedule a one-on-one appointment with our Associate Director of UT Access Collaborative. Whether you have questions about our programs, the transfer process, or what to expect next, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
UT Access Collaborative FAQs
Remember, our team is always here to help if you have further questions. Give us a call at 865-974-1111 or email us at transfer@utk.edu.
What if I do not meet the 3.0 GPA requirement prior to transferring?
Students who do not meet the pathway program transfer requirements will be reviewed for transfer admission holistically.
What if I do not have 24 transferable hours prior to coming to UT Knoxville?
Students who do not meet the pathway program transfer requirements will be reviewed for transfer admission holistically.
Can I return to UT Knoxville prior to the fall semester?
Unfortunately, no. The earliest you are able to transfer to UT Knoxville is the following fall semester. You are not able to return in the spring semester.
What does it mean to be reviewed holistically?
- Undergraduate Admissions utilize a holistic application review considering all parts of the transfer student’s academic record. All grades earned in transferable academic-level coursework from every regionally accredited college attended will be considered in determining admissibility. If you have earned 24 or less transferable college level hours, your application will be reviewed holistically based on your high school and transfer GPA, ACT/SAT scores, intended major, and other factors.
- For the purposes of the holistic transfer application review, only credit(s) earned after high school graduation will count toward the transferable college level hours requirement. Dual enrollment hours will not be included in the transferable college level hours requirement.
- However, dual enrollment courses will be evaluated for course credit, and the grades earned will be factored into the overall transfer GPA.
How will my courses transfer?
- Check the online equivalency tables to see how courses transfer to UT from other colleges and universities.
- College transcripts are evaluated after you are admitted to UT. Credit evaluations are typically completed within four weeks with priority given to confirmed students. You may access your completed transfer credit evaluation in MyUTK under Academic Resources – Academic History.
- For questions about your credit evaluations, contact the transfer evaluators at utktransfereval@utk.edu or 865-946-3864.
What if my intended major is one of the competitive programs at UT?
Competitive programs may have additional admission requirements. They also may take longer to review your application and come to an admissions decision.
To learn more about specific program requirements for our competitive majors, please visit our Transfer website.
How do I ensure that UT has my FAFSA/financial aid information?
- Update your previously filed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to include UT Knoxville as your first-choice college/university.
When can I register for classes?
- Once you’ve been admitted and confirm your enrollment, you will be able to register for orientation in your Go Vols Portal once it is open. New Student Orientation will notify students when registration opens.
- As an incoming transfer student, you must meet with an advisor before you can register for classes. Your first advising appointment at UT will be held via Zoom and scheduled after you complete your orientation registration. Your academic college will reach out to you directly with your appointment information.
- Be sure to bring your transfer credit evaluation with you to your first advising appointment. Your evaluation will help you and your advisor create your first UT academic plan, which will be used to assist you with registering for classes.
For more information about advising, click here.
Is guaranteed housing provided if you participate in UT Access Collaborative?
At this time, we cannot guarantee on-campus housing for students participating in the UT Access Collaborative pathway program. Reach out to University Housing at housing@utk.edu for details for on-campus opportunities.
I have dual enrollment credits, does that count towards the 24 transferable credit hour requirement?
Unfortunately any credits earned or completed while still in high school do not count towards the 24 transferable earned credit hour requirement, however you can receive credit for those courses at UT. You will want to submit all official dual enrollment transcripts and any prior learning credits to UT to determine your eligible transfer credits. To learn more about transfer credits visit our website.
When can I apply for on-campus housing as a student in this program?
Admitted transfer students must confirm their enrollment before they can apply for on-campus housing. Students that are a part of the UTAC program are not reviewed for admission until we receive fall and spring semester grades, some time in late May.
Do I need to request my transcript to be sent from my UT System selected institution?
No. Your UT System institution (UT Chattanooga, UT Martin, UT Southern) will send it to us after you complete the Transfer Interest Form.
Do I need to submit my dual enrollment or prior learning credits to UT Knoxville when transferring?
Yes. You can ask your institution to send your official transcripts or prior learning credit exams/scores electronically to undergradtranscripts@utk.edu, or physically mailed to:
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
320 Student Services Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-0230
I am not receiving communications from UT Knoxville. What should I do?
If you have not received any email from UT Knoxville, please reach out to Meghann Overholt at Meghann.overholt@utk.edu to verify the email address we have on file.
Questions?
Happy to help! Contact the Transfer Center at transfer@utk.edu or call 865-974-1111 if you have any questions about this program or transferring to UT Knoxville.