What Aid is Available in Tennessee?

Tennessee Promise provides students a mentor and a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by gift aid. Students may use the scholarship at any of the state’s 13 community colleges, 22 colleges of applied technology, or other eligible institution offering an associate degree program.

The HOPE Scholarship is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to entering freshmen who are enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution within sixteen months after graduating from a TN eligible high school.

The Aspire Award is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to entering freshmen as a supplement to the HOPE Scholarship.

The General Assembly Merit Scholarship is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to entering freshmen as a supplement to the HOPE Scholarship.

The Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA) was established to provide non-repayable financial assistance to financially needy undergraduate students who are residents of Tennessee. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment, at least half time, at a public or an eligible non-public postsecondary institution in Tennessee.

The TN Reconnect Grant is available to students who are classified as independent on the FAFSA. This is a last-dollar grant that pays the remaining balance of tuition and mandatory fees after other state and federal financial aid have been applied.

The TN Reconnect Grant is available for eligible adults who want to pursue an associate degree.

The Dual Enrollment Grant is awarded to students who are attending an eligible high school and who are also enrolled in college courses at eligible postsecondary institutions.

The Middle College Scholarship is established and funded from proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to high school Juniors and seniors enrolled full-time at an eligible postsecondary institution.

The Dependent Children Scholarship provides aid for Tennessee residents who are dependent children of a Tennessee law enforcement officer, fireman, or an emergency medical service technician who has been killed or totally and permanently disabled while performing duties within the scope of such employment. The parent must be a Tennessee resident and have been on duty when the incident occurred. The scholarship is awarded to full-time undergraduate students attending eligible Tennessee institutions.

The Ned McWherter Scholars Program is intended to encourage academically superior Tennessee high school graduates to attend college in Tennessee. Tennessee high school seniors starting their last semester in high school may apply.

The Helping Heroes Grant is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to US veterans who were honorably discharged or who are a former or current member of a reserve or TN National Guard unit.

The Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to students who were in custody of the Dept. of Children Services for at least one year after reaching age thirteen.

Postsecondary tuition assistance for two years for Tennessee state employees who were separated due to a Reduction in Force (RIF).

The Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to students who are enrolled at a TN College of Applied Technology.

The Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA) was established to provide non-repayable financial assistance to financially-needy undergraduate students who are residents of Tennessee. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment, at least half time, at a public or an eligible non-public postsecondary institution in Tennessee.

The TCAT Reconnect Grant is available to students who are classified as independent on the FAFSA.

The Dual Enrollment Grant is awarded to students who are attending an eligible high school and who are also enrolled in college courses at eligible postsecondary institutions.

Tennessee Promise provides students a mentor and a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by gift aid. Students may use the scholarship at any of the state’s 13 community colleges, 22 colleges of applied technology, or other eligible institution offering an associate degree program.

 The Dependent Children Scholarship provides aid for Tennessee residents who are dependent children of a Tennessee law enforcement officer, fireman, or an emergency medical service technician who has been killed or totally and permanently disabled while performing duties within the scope of such employment. The parent must be a Tennessee resident and have been on duty when the incident occurred. The scholarship is awarded to full-time undergraduate students attending eligible Tennessee institutions.

Postsecondary tuition assistance for two years for Tennessee state employees who were separated due to a Reduction in Force (RIF).

The Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA) was established to provide non-repayable financial assistance to financially-needy undergraduate students who are residents of Tennessee. Applicants must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment, at least half time, at a public or an eligible non-public postsecondary institution in Tennessee.