Eligibility
HOPE SCHOLARSHIP
  • Must be a Tennessee resident 1 year prior to application deadline
  • Must be admitted to and enrolled in at least 6 hours in a HOPE-eligible postsecondary institution within 16 months of graduation from an eligible high school or GED program
  • Minimum 21 ACT (Composite)/980 SAT (Math+Critical Reading ONLY) on a national test date OR 3.0 final weighted GPA for entering freshmen graduating from eligible  public or category 1,2 or 3 private high schools
  • GED students must have minimum ACT/SAT test scores stated and 525 on the GED test
  • Homeschool and non-category 1, 2 or 3 private high school graduates must have minimum ACT/SAT test scores stated above AND must have been enrolled in the school for at least 2 years prior to graduation
  • $4,000.00 per year

GENERAL ASSEMBLY MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

  • Must be HOPE eligible
  • Minimum 29 ACT (Composite)/1280 SAT  (Math+Critical Reading ONLY) on a national test date AND 3.75 final weighted GPA for entering freshmen graduating from eligible public or category 1, 2 or 3 private high schools
  • Homeschool and non-category 1, 2 or 3 private high school graduates must have minimum ACT/SAT test scores stated above AND enroll in 12 college credit hours (minimum 4 courses, excluding P.E.) with a minimum 3.0 GPA at an eligible Tennessee postsecondary institution while enrolled in high school
  • Students may receive either General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS) or Aspire Award, but not both
  • $5,000.00 per year ($4,000.00 for HOPE Scholarship + $1000.00 supplement)


ASPIRE AWARD

  • Must be HOPE eligible
  • Parents' or independent student's (spouse's) adjusted gross income must be $36,000 or less on IRS tax form
  • Students may receive either Aspire Award or General Assembly Merit Scholarship, but not both
  • $5,500.00 per year ($4000.00 for HOPE Scholarship + $1,500.00 supplement)


HOPE ACCESS GRANT

  • Must be a Tennessee resident 1 year prior to application deadline
  • Must be admitted to and enrolled in at least 6 hours in a HOPE-eligible postsecondary institution within 16 months of graduation from an eligible high school
  • Must have 18, 19 or 20 ACT (Composite)/860-970 SAT  (Math+Critical Reading ONLY) on a national test date AND 2.75-2.99 final weighted GPA for entering freshmen graduating from eligible public or category 1, 2 or 3 private high schools ONLY
  • Parents' or independent student's (and spouse's) adjusted gross income must be $36,000 or less on IRS tax form
  • For the initial 24 attempted hours ONLY:
    • $2,750.00 per year at an eligible four-year Tennessee postsecondary institution


HOPE SCHOLARSHIP FOR NON-TRADITIONAL STUDENTS

  • Must be a Tennessee resident 1 year prior to application deadline
  • Minimum 25 years of age
  • Student's (and spouse's) adjusted gross income must be $36,000 or less
  • Must be an entering freshmen or have not been enrolled in a postsecondary institution for at least 2 years
  • First-time entering freshmen must "earn their way" into the HOPE Scholarship program by attempting 12 semester hours and achieving a minimum 2.75 GPA at a HOPE-eligible postsecondary institution
  • Re-entry students must "earn their way" into the HOPE Scholarship program by attempting 12 semester hours after the two year break and achieving a minimum 2.75 GPA at a HOPE-eligible post-secondary institution
  • $4,000.00 per year
  • Ineligible for the Aspire Award and GAMS