Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship

The Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship is a program designed to assist students with intellectual disabilities who have completed high school and enroll in an individualized program of study of up to four years at an eligible postsecondary institution.

Award amount is up to $2,250 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore; then up to $2,850 per full-time enrollment semester as a junior and senior.  Determination of class status is made by the postsecondary institution. 

The sum of all financial aid, including a Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship, for which a student qualifies, cannot exceed the institutionally defined total cost of education at the eligible postsecondary institution the scholarship recipient is attending. If the total cost of education is exceeded, then the Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship may be reduced.

To be eligible, the applicant must:

• Not be ineligible for the scholarship under § 49-4-904
• Have been a Tennessee resident as classified by the Tennessee Board of Regents
• Complete high school in a Tennessee high school in accordance with the requirements of the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and receive a high school diploma, occupational diploma or certificate, a special education diploma, a transition certificate, or an IEP certificate
• Be admitted to and enroll in an eligible postsecondary institution in an eligible postsecondary program no later than 16 months after completing high school
• Apply for a Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship each academic year

Students and parents must complete the STEP UP Scholarship application and email the completed application to [email protected].  In addition, recipients must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each academic year.

Application Process

The deadlines to complete both applications are:

• Fall Semester – September 1
• Spring Semester – February 1
• Summer Semester – May 1

An eligible postsecondary program is defined as a postsecondary program that has received the Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program designation from the United States Department of Education and is offered by an eligible postsecondary institution that assists students with intellectual disabilities, as defined in T.C.A. § 33-1-101, who have completed high school, but who need a strong system of education supports and services to access and obtain postsecondary education.

To be an eligible postsecondary program, a program shall consist of an individualized program of study of up to four years designed to provide meaningful postsecondary activities, including academic, career development and exploration and independent living skills, on the postsecondary campus.