Cummins Technical Education for Communities (TEC) Scholarship

The Cummins Technical Education for Communities (TEC) Scholarship is established to aid students who are in the Diesel Powered Equipment Technology Programs at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT) Nashville and Memphis. The intent of this aid is to remove barriers for students at TCAT Nashville and TCAT Memphis. Excess funds not utilized after identifying students each trimester, would then be available for TCAT Memphis Students. This Scholarship is available to students who are successfully enrolled in the Diesel Powered Equipment Technology Programs at TCAT Nashville or TCAT Memphis who have a proven financial need.  The financial need will be verified by the institution.

Through the active engagement of stakeholders such as TCAT – Nashville and TCAT Memphis, it is the goal of Cummins, Inc., to remove financial barriers and to encourage students of underserved populations to enter the Diesel Mechanic Industry, through a reimbursement for tooling costs associated with the Diesel Powered Equipment Technology Program.

Scholarship Criteria

  • Demonstrate Financial Need
  • Academic Accountability as Determined by Instructional Personnel and Student Services;
  • The scholarship can be awarded in increments determined by the financial need of student(s) that will not exceed $1,000 per trimester per student; and
  • The Scholarship will aid in purchasing toolboxes/kits, purchasing required program learning materials, equipment, national/state certification exams. 

Selection Process

  • Applicants will be reviewed and selected by a scholarship committee selected by TCAT Nashville/TCAT Memphis and TBR—The College System of Tennessee Representatives. Deadline to apply is September 30 and January 30 and the award will be announced by July 1 (Summer) October 1 (Fall) and February 1 (Winter/Spring).

Requirements for Renewal

This scholarship will be automatically renewed for 2 additional trimesters (for a total of 3 trimesters or until the program is completed, whichever comes first), if the student meets the following criteria:

  • Be a full-time student enrolled at the college;
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0;
  • Maintain satisfactory attendance per TCAT Nashville and TCAT Memphis policy.

Administration of the Scholarship

The TBR System Office will send notification to the recipients and copy the Financial Aid Director at the home institution. Notification from the System Office will only occur during the trimester of the award.

After the initial trimester, the Financial Aid office at the home institution should notify the student of the continuance of this scholarship as long as they are in good academic standing. The Financial Aid Office will verify the recipient meets the cumulative grade point average and course load requirement. The Financial Aid Director, or their designee, will notify the System Office of the continuance or discontinuance of the award for the student.