The HOPE Scholarship is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to entering freshmen who are enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution within sixteen months after graduating from a TN eligible high school.
Scholarship Details
- Administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC)
- Funded through net proceeds from the Tennessee Education Lottery
- Available to students attending eligible Tennessee public and private colleges and universities
- Four-year institutions: up to $2,250 per full-time semester during the freshman and sophomore years, increasing to up to $2,850 per semester during the junior and senior years
- Eligible two-year institutions: up to $1,600 per full-time semester during the freshman and sophomore years
- Award amounts may be available for summer enrollment
- Scholarship funds may only be used toward coursework required for an eligible associate or bachelor's degree program
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be classified as a Tennessee resident according to state residency requirements
- Must graduate from an eligible Tennessee high school
- Must enroll at an eligible postsecondary institution within 16 months of high school graduation
- Must attend an eligible Tennessee public or private college or university
- Must meet one of the following academic requirements:
- Minimum ACT composite score of 21 or minimum SAT score of 1060 (excluding essay and optional sections), or
- Minimum 3.0 weighted high school GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Home school, GED, and HiSET students must satisfy the program's specific eligibility requirements
- Must maintain satisfactory academic progress and continuous enrollment to renew the scholarship
Application Process
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Submit the FAFSA by the applicable Tennessee financial aid deadline
- Meet all Tennessee residency and academic eligibility requirements
- Enroll at an eligible Tennessee postsecondary institution within 16 months after graduating from high school
- Maintain continuous enrollment during the fall and spring semesters and meet renewal requirements to continue receiving the scholarship
The Tennessee HOPE Scholarship is a state-funded merit scholarship that helps Tennessee students pay for college through proceeds from the Tennessee Education Lottery.
