TN Hope Scholarship – If you’re a student in Tennessee looking to further your education, you may have heard of the TN HOPE Scholarship. This scholarship program is designed to help students pay for college, but what exactly is it, and how can you qualify for it? In this article, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to know about the TN HOPE Scholarship.
What is the TN HOPE Scholarship?
The TN HOPE Scholarship is a scholarship program offered by the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation (TELC). The program is designed to provide financial assistance to Tennessee residents who wish to pursue higher education in the state. The scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees at eligible Tennessee colleges and universities.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the TN HOPE Scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:
- Being classified as a Tennessee resident by the Tennessee Board of Regents.
- Graduating from an eligible high school in Tennessee, with some exceptions for students who graduate from high schools in other states.
- Exceptions for non-Tennessee high schools include bordering out-of-state counties, high schools where dependents of active-duty military members or civilian workers of the US Department of Defense or Tennessee National Guard on active duty may attend, high schools where dependents of full-time religious workers in foreign nations may attend, and out-of-state boarding schools that are regionally accredited or accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
- Enrolling in one of the Tennessee public colleges, universities, or private colleges listed on the Hope Scholarship website.
- Meeting minimum eligibility requirements for entering freshmen, including a minimum ACT score of 21 or a minimum SAT score of 1060 (exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests), or an overall minimum 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) with additional internal quality points awarded for advanced placement, honors, or similar courses according to the Uniform Grading Policy adopted by the State Board of Education.
- Home school graduates must achieve a minimum ACT score of 21 (exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests). Home school GPAs are not considered.
- GED ® recipients must achieve a minimum ACT score of 21 (exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests) and a qualifying GED ® score of 170.
- HiSet recipients must achieve a minimum ACT score of 21 (exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests) and a qualifying HiSet score of 15.
- ACT/SAT exams must be taken on a national or state test date and prior to the first day of college enrollment. The ACT Residual test is not accepted.
- Must enroll within 16 months following high school graduation at any eligible postsecondary institution.
If you meet all of these eligibility requirements, you may apply for the TN Hope Scholarship. The application process can be somewhat complex, but by following the steps below, you can ensure that your application is complete and on time.
Academic Requirements
The academic requirements for the TN HOPE Scholarship vary depending on the type of high school the student attends. Students who attend public schools must meet the following requirements:
- Achieve a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA, and
- Score a minimum of 21 on the ACT or 1060 on the SAT.
Students who attend private or home schools must meet the following requirements:
- Achieve a 3.0 cumulative high school GPA, and
- Score a minimum of 21 on the ACT or 1060 on the SAT, or
- Achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA on at least 12 hours of college coursework.
Types of TN HOPE Scholarships
There are four types of TN HOPE Scholarships:
- HOPE Scholarship – This scholarship is available to students who meet the academic requirements listed above.
- HOPE Access Grant – This scholarship is available to students who do not meet the academic requirements for the HOPE Scholarship but still have financial need.
- HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant – This scholarship is available to students who were in foster care in Tennessee when they graduated from high school or earned a GED.
- Tennessee HOPE Access Grant – This scholarship is available to students who attend eligible Tennessee colleges or universities and demonstrate financial need.
Award Amounts and Disbursement
The amount of the TN HOPE Scholarship award varies depending on the type of scholarship and the institution attended. For the HOPE Scholarship
Award Information
Four-Year Institutions and two-year institutions with on-campus housing:
Up to $2,250 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore; then up to $2,850 per full-time enrollment semester as a junior and senior
Two-Year Institutions:
Up to $1,600 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore
Application Process
To apply for the TN HOPE Scholarship, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the TN HOPE Scholarship application. The FAFSA determines the student’s financial need, while the TN HOPE Scholarship application determines the student’s eligibility for the scholarship. The application deadline is September 1 for the fall semester and February 1 for the spring semester.
Is Students from outside of Tennessee can apply?
The TN Hope Scholarship is primarily for Tennessee residents, but there are exceptions for students who have graduated from high schools outside of Tennessee. These exceptions include:
– High schools located in bordering out-of-state counties
– High schools where dependents of active-duty military members or civilian workers of the US Department of Defense, Tennessee National Guard on active duty may attend
– Members of the Armed Forces or TN National Guard who have Tennessee as the Home of Record at the time of entry into military service or who are classified as in-state students under the Tennessee Board of Regents promulgated rules by the FAFSA application date
– High schools where dependents of full-time religious workers in foreign nations may attend
– Out-of-state boarding schools that are regionally accredited or accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
To be eligible for the TN Hope Scholarship, students who fall under these exceptions must also:
– Enroll in one of the Tennessee public colleges, universities, or private colleges
– Achieve a minimum of 21 ACT or a minimum of 1060 SAT (exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests) for entering freshmen, or a minimum overall 3.0 GPA (calculated with additional internal quality points awarded for advanced placement, honors, or other similar courses) according to the Uniform Grading Policy adopted by the State Board of Education
– Achieve a minimum of 21 ACT (exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests) for home school graduates
– Achieve a minimum of 21 ACT (exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests) and qualifying GED ® score of 170 for GED ® recipients
– Achieve a minimum of 21 ACT (exclusive of the essay and optional subject area battery tests) and qualifying HiSet score of 15 for HiSet recipients
– Take the ACT/SAT exams on a national test date or state test date and prior to the first day of college enrollment (the ACT Residual test is not accepted)
– Enroll within 16 months following high school graduation at any eligible postsecondary institution.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Apply for the TN Hope Scholarship
If you’re a Tennessee high school student, the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship is an excellent opportunity to help finance your college education. However, the application process can be confusing and overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time applying. That’s why we’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help you through the application process.
Determine Your Eligibility
Before you begin the application process, it’s crucial to confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements. To qualify for the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, you must:
- Be a Tennessee resident for at least one year before the application deadline
- Graduate from an eligible Tennessee high school, a Tennessee home school, or complete a GED in Tennessee
- Achieve at least a 21 on the ACT or 1060 on the SAT (not including the essay or writing portion)
- Have a cumulative weighted GPA of 3.0 or higher
Complete the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a requirement for any federal or state financial aid program, including the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. Make sure you complete and submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1 of your senior year.
Submit Your Application
The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) is responsible for managing the HOPE Scholarship program. You can access the application online at the TSAC website. Before you begin, make sure you have the following information ready:
- Your social security number
- Your FAFSA confirmation number
- Your high school transcript
- Your ACT/SAT scores
You’ll also need to provide some basic personal information, such as your name, address, and phone number.
Submit Your Transcript and Test Scores
Your high school transcript and ACT/SAT scores must be sent directly to TSAC from your high school or testing agency. Make sure you ask your high school guidance counselor to send these documents on your behalf.
Monitor Your Application Status
After you submit your application, you can monitor its status online through the TSAC Student Portal. This portal will also inform you of any additional documentation you may need to provide.
Accept Your Award
If you’re awarded the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, you’ll receive notification from TSAC. You’ll need to accept the award through the TSAC Student Portal and attend an eligible Tennessee post-secondary institution to receive the scholarship.