Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant

The Foster Child Tuition Grant is awarded to students who entered state custody of the Department of Children’s Services any time after reaching 13 years of age.

The award amount for the Foster Child Tuition Grant is the cost of attendance less any gift aid with the total award not exceeding the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at an eligible postsecondary institution. Gift aid means scholarships and grants from any source that do not require repayment, including funds provided through the federal Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 and other similar programs. Student loans and work-study programs are not considered gift aid.

A Foster Child Tuition Grant for a student attending an eligible independent four-year OR two-year postsecondary institution cannot exceed the statewide average tuition and mandatory fees for a public four-year or two-year postsecondary institution.

In addition to meeting the minimum HOPE Scholarship high school eligibility requirements, a student must submit to THEC an official certification from the Department of Children’s Services that the student meets the eligibility requirement for the Foster Child Tuition Grant.

Certification from the Department of Children’s Services must indicate one of the following requirements:

1. Was in state custody at any time when the individual was 13 years of age or older;
2. Was in state custody at any time when the individual was 13 years of age or older and was placed for adoption by the Department of Children Services (DCS) or one of its adoption contract agencies, and the adoption was finalized; or
3. Was in state custody at any time and was placed in permanent guardianship by DCS after reaching 13 years of age.

The receipt of a Foster Child Tuition Grant is contingent upon the following:

1. Meet the high school requirements for the Tennessee HOPE scholarship; 
2. Be admitted to an eligible postsecondary institution within four years from the date of high school graduation or its equivalent;
3. Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress while enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution;
4. The recipient may remain eligible for the Foster Child Tuition Grant for up to six years from the date of initial enrollment.

Apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at www.fafsa.gov. Applications must be received by September 1st for fall semester, March 1st for spring semester and May 1st for summer semester. Early application is recommended.

TN HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant Eligible Institutions