Hope Scholarships

 Learn about the Lottery or TELS scholarship

The HOPE scholarship, funded by the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) program, is available only to Tennessee residents. This scholarship is sometimes called the "Lottery" or "TELS" scholarship.

The Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program (TELS) is intended to provide financial support for Tennessee's best high school students and encourage them to remain in TN for their college education.  The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation is the state headquarters for the TELS program.  Their website contains information about the TELS program and other kinds of state aid.

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 TN residents who meet the qualifications.

The scholarships offered through the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) program are listed below or you can review them on the College for TN website.

For information on maintaining eligibility for the Hope (Lottery Scholarship) click here. 

Hope Scholarship Information
Open AllClose All Scholarship Name Amount Minimum
GPA		 Minimum
ACT/SAT
 
More Info		 TN Hope Scholarship $2250/sem 3.0 21 / 1060

Additional information

  • Deadline:
    • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov 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:
    • 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
    • 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.
    • TN 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 TN local school district
    • Be a TN resident one year prior to application deadline (see above)
    • Enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution within 16 months following graduation from a TN high school or completion of a TN homeschool or GED program.
    • Be enrolled in at least 6 hours
  • Exclusions:
    • Scholarships are not available for out-of-state students.
  • How to Apply:
    • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov by the deadlines stated above.
  • 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
 
More Info		 General Assembly Merit Schol. $500/sem 
supplements HOPE		 3.75 29 / 1330

Additional information

  • Deadline:
    • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov 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:
    • 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.
    • TN 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
    • Be a TN resident one year prior to application deadline (see above)
    • Enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution within 16 months following graduation from a TN high school or completion of a TN 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) online at www.studentaid.gov by the deadlines stated above.
  • 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
 
More Info		 Aspire Award $750/sem
supplements HOPE		 3.0 21 / 1060

Additional information

  • Deadline:
    • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov 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:
  • Minimum 21 ACT (Composite) or 1060 SAT score on a national test date or state test date.
  • Meet TN HOPE scholarship requirements AND
  • Parents' or independent student's (and spouse's) adjusted gross income must be $36,000 or less on tax form
  • Be a TN resident one year prior to application deadline (see above)
  • Enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution within 16 months following graduation from a TN high school or completion of a TN 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) online at www.studentaid.gov by the deadlines stated above.
  • 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 
 
More Info		 Non-Traditional Lottery Scholarship Varies 2.75 N/A

Additional information

  • Deadline:
    • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov 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
    • 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 CPOS hours 

      A non-traditional student shall not be eligible for the Aspire Award or the General Assembly Merit Scholarship.

  • Exclusions:
    • Scholarships are not available for out-of-state students.
  • How to Apply:
    • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at www.studentaid.gov by the deadlines stated above.
  • Award Distribution:
    • You earn your degree --or --
    • 5 years have passed since you initially enrolled at any postsecondary institution

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