The HOPE Scholarship, funded by the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) program, is available only to Tennessee residents. This state scholarship provides financial support to Tennessee's best high school students and encourages them to remain in state for their college education.
To apply for a HOPE Scholarship, you must fill out the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You do not need to complete any additional applications, the HOPE Scholarship will be offered to Tennessee residents who meet the qualifications.
The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation is the state headquarters for the TELS program. This scholarship is sometimes called the "Lottery" or "TELS" scholarship. The scholarships offered through the TELS program are listed below or you can review them on the College for TN website.
It's also important that students take time to learn about maintaining eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship.
State Scholarship Information
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HOPE Scholarship
Award
- $2,250 per semester (freshman/sophomore)
- $2,850 per semester (junior/senior)
Deadline
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than September 1 (for fall) or February 1 (for spring and summer). Use ETSU's school code 003487 as your first choice in the school code section.
Requirements- Be a Tennessee resident one year prior to application deadline
- Minimum 21 ACT (composite) or
- 1060 SAT score on a national test date or state test date or
- Final cumulative 3.0 GPA for entering freshmen graduation from eligible public or category 1, 2, or 3 private high schools
- Enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution within 16 months following graduation from a Tennessee high school or completion of a Tennessee homeschool or GED program.
- Be enrolled in at least 6 hours
- GED/HiSET students must have minimum ACT/SAT test scores stated above and a
- qualifying GED/HiSET score. The Minimum Revised GED score is 170. The minimum HiSet score is 15.
- Tennessee homeschool and non-category 1, 2, or 3 private high school graduates must have ACT/SAT test scores stated above and must have been enrolled in a homeschool program for 1 year immediately preceding graduation and be registered with a Tennessee local school district
Exclusions
Scholarships are not available for out-of-state students.
How to Apply
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Award Distribution
Scholarships are available as long as you remain academically eligible and until the first of the following things occurs:- You earn your degree or
- 5 years have passed since you initially enrolled at any postsecondary institution
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General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS)
Award
- $500 per semester
- Supplements HOPE Scholarship
Deadline
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than September 1 (for fall) or February 1 (for spring). Use ETSU's school code 003487 as your first choice in the school code section.
Requirements- Be a Tennessee resident one year prior to application deadline
- Entering freshmen graduating from eligible public or category 1, 2 or 3 private high schools must have at least a final cumulative 3.75 GPA AND 29 ACT (composite) or
- 1330 SAT score on a national test date or state test date
- Enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution within 16 months following graduation from a Tennessee high school or completion of a Tennessee homeschool or GED program.
- Tennessee homeschool and non-category 1,2, or 3 private high school graduates:
- Must have ACT/SAT test scores stated above and
- Enroll in at least four (4) dual enrollment courses totaling at least twelve (12) semester hours at an eligible postsecondary institution and
- Achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 or
- Participate in a Governor’s School program, and achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or
- Take two (2) Advanced Placement (AP) exams and make a score of at least three (3) or
- Take one (1) College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) test and make a score of at least 55
Exclusions
Students who qualify for ASPIRE and GAMS will receive ASPIRE only.How to Apply
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the deadlines stated above.
Award Distribution
Scholarships are available as long as you remain academically eligible and until the first of the following things occurs:- You earn your degree or
- 5 years have passed since you initially enrolled at any postsecondary institution
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ASPIRE Award
Award
- $750 per semester
- Supplements HOPE Scholarship
Deadline
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than September 1 (for fall) or February 1 (for spring). Use ETSU's school code 003487 as your first choice in the school code section.
Requirements- Be a Tennessee resident one year prior to application deadline
- Minimum 21 ACT (composite) or
- 1060 SAT score on a national test date or state test date
- Meet Tennessee HOPE Scholarship requirements and
- Parents' or independent student's (and spouse's) adjusted gross income must be $36,000 or less on tax form
- Enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution within 16 months following graduation from a Tennessee high school or
- Completion of a Tennessee homeschool or GED program
Exclusions
Students who qualify for ASPIRE and GAMS will receive ASPIRE only.
How to Apply
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Award Distribution
Scholarships are available as long as you remain academically eligible, until the first of the following things occurs:- You earn your degree or
- 5 years have passed since you initially enrolled at any postsecondary institution
-
Non-Traditional Lottery Scholarship
Award
- $2,250 per semester (freshman/sophomore)
- $2,850 per semester (junior/senior)
Deadline
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than September 1 (for fall) or February 1 (for spring). Use ETSU's school code 003487 as your first choice in the school code section.Requirements
- Be classified as a Tennessee resident for at least one year
- Be an independent student as determined on the FAFSA application and enroll in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible four-year postsecondary institution; or
- Enroll in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible four-year postsecondary institution on or after August 1, 2018 while maintaining continuous enrollment following the completion of an associate degree as a TN Reconnect recipient
- Must have student’s and spouse’s adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less on IRS tax form
- Be continuously enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution in the fall and spring semesters and maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP)
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 after 12 attempted semester hours or required GPA at subsequent benchmark. (Attempted hours and college grades prior to re-enrollment at an eligible postsecondary institution are not considered.)
- Be enrolled in at least 6 Course Program of Study (CPOS) hours
Exclusions
- Scholarships are not available for out-of-state students.
- A non-traditional student shall not be eligible for the Aspire Award or the General Assembly Merit Scholarship.
How to Apply
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).Award Distribution
Scholarships are available as long as you remain academically eligible, until the first of the following things occurs:- You earn your degree or
- 5 years have passed since you initially enrolled at any postsecondary institution
-
Tennessee Future Teacher Scholarship
The Tennessee Future Teacher Scholarship is a loan-scholarship program intended to encourage exemplary students to enter the teaching field in Tennessee. Participation is limited to college juniors and seniors admitted to an approved educator preparation program (EPP) in a Tennessee college or university. Students can apply and review the full list of eligibility requirements on the College for TN website.