GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award
What is the GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award?
The GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award is designed to encourage
successful transition from high school to higher education.
Students who meet eligibility requirements will receive up to $750
($375 per semester) to be used toward the total cost of attendance
of their first year of higher education. Funds are awarded upon
notification of the applicant's enrollment at their chosen
institution of higher education.
Who is eligible for the GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award?
GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Awards are awarded upon the
applicant's verification of enrollment in a public or private
postsecondary institution that is eligible to participate in
Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship awards.
Student Eligibility
- Applicant must be a resident of Tennessee.
- Applicant must complete a Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) by May 15th.
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
- Applicant must be less than 22 years of age.
- Applicant must be a student in a public high school
participating in GEAR UP TN in one of the following counties:
Campbell, Cocke, Grundy, Hardeman, Johnson, Lake, Meigs, Union or
Wayne.
- Applicant must be a high school senior graduating in the
academic year in which he/she applied for this award with a regular
or special education diploma.
- Applicant must be enrolled at least half time (half-time
students must maintain no less than six credit hours) at a TELS
eligible institution.
- Applicants must have participated in required GEAR UP TN
activities as designated and verified by county GEAR UP TN
coordinators.
- Applicant must have registered for a CollegeforTN.org
account.
- Applicant cannot have a drug conviction as defined on the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Award Policies & Definitions
- Award Amount - GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive
Award amount is $750. The award will be equally split over two
consecutive semesters ($375 each). The award is a last dollar award
(i.e. after all grants and scholarships have been awarded) and is
available up to total cost of attendance. The award will not be
pro-rated based upon a student's number of hours.
- Half-time - Defined by the institution for
each semester.
- Eligibility Period - Students are eligible for
two consecutive semesters defined as Fall 2009/Spring 2010 or
Spring 2010/Summer 2010. The recipient must be classified as having
not completed his/her first 24 hours of postsecondary education.
The first 24 hours does not include Dual Enrollment hours, Advanced
Placements credits or International Baccalaureate. This is a
one-time award that is not renewable beyond the specified two
semesters.
- Award Renewal - To qualify for renewal in the
second semester, students must be in good academic standing as
defined by the institution.
- Eligible Programs - Students are eligible as
long as they are enrolled in any program or courses that are
eligible to receive funds from any Tennessee Education Lottery
Scholarship program.
- Student Transfers - Students who transfer for
the fall term after September 1, 2009, must inform the Tennessee
Higher Education Commission by October 30, 2009, in order to
receive funds. Students who transfer for the spring term must
inform the Tennessee Higher Education Commission by February 15,
2010, to receive funds. Students who do not inform the Tennessee
Higher Education Commission of changes by these dates will become
ineligible for funds.
- Application Changes - Any changes to student's
application (including the name of the applicant's postsecondary
institution) should be submitted in writing by September 1, 2009,
to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission.
- Withdrawal and Refund - Students who withdraw
from classes will be subject to the refund policy of their
institution.
NOTE: The GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Awards
Requirements and Policies are subject to change each semester.
Students and parents will be notified of changes through the GEAR
UP TN school systems. Financial Aid Officers will be notified by
GEAR UP TN staff.
How do I apply for the GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award?
For online application, visit clipslink.guarantorsolutions.com/StudentSignon/Default.aspx
.