Types of TN HOPE Scholarships and Supplemental Awards

Lottery scholarship amounts vary, depending on the particular award(s) for which the student is eligible. The base scholarship, the TN HOPE Scholarship, will depend on the grade level of the student. Specific award amounts are defined by the TN Student Assistance Corporation. Please review and then refer to your award summary in your MyMocsNet.

Traditional TN HOPE Scholarship

The Traditional TN HOPE Scholarship is what is known to most simply as the 'TN HOPE Scholarship'. It is available for graduating high school seniors who meet the minimum requirements to receive the award. Click here to find out those requirements. In order to continue receiving the award, you must meet the minimum GPA requirements at each 24-hour benchmark. Click here to find out those requirements.

TN HOPE Aspire Award

The TN HOPE Aspire Award, is a need-based supplemental award. Student's receiving the TN HOPE Scholarship may qualify for the TN HOPE Aspire award if they meet the following criteria.

• Parent or independent student (and spouse) adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less

*This award cannot be combined with the General Assembly Merit Scholarship.

General Assembly Merit Scholarship

The General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS) is a merit-based supplemental award. High school seniors receiving the TN HOPE Scholarship may qualify for GAMS by meeting the following criteria. Please note: Since the final high school GPA isn't typically reported by the school to the state until early/mid-June, students generally won't see a the a GAM awarded until early July.

• Entering freshmen who have graduated from a Tennessee public school or category 1,2,3 private school must have at least a *3.75 final high school GPA AND at least a *29 ACT score (1360 SAT)
  • A Home school graduate must, in addition to meeting the TN HOPE scholarship requirements, during the course of a home school program:
    • Achieve a 29 Composite score or above, on a national/state test date for the ACT test, or a 1360 (math plus critical reading scores only) or above, on a national test date for the SAT test for GAMS consideration; 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
      • Neither an ACT/SAT Super Score nor a Residual Test Score are not acceptable for eligibility purposes.

More detailed information about the GAM Award is found online with the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation.

*This means a grade point average on a 4.0 scale calculated with additional internal quality points awarded for advanced placement, honors or other similar courses according to the Uniform Grading Policy adopted by the state Board of Education. ACT/SAT exams must be taken on a national or state test date. 

*This award cannot be combined with the TN HOPE Aspire Award. If a student is eligible for both the HOPE Aspire Award and GAMS, they will be paid TN HOPE Aspire as it is the higher amount.

Non-Traditional HOPE Scholarship

The Non-Traditional HOPE Scholarship is available to students who meet all of the following criteria:

• Student must- 
  • 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.
• Student must be continuously enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution in every fall and spring term.
• Student must maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Student must be classified as a TN resident and admitted as In-state by UTC Admissions.
• Student's adjusted gross income (combined with spouse, if applicable) must be $36,000 or less as determined by the FAFSA for the academic year awarded.
• Student must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 after 12 *attempted semester hours (or required GPA at subsequent benchmark). *Note - Attempted hours and college grades prior to re-enrollment at an eligible postsecondary institution are not considered.
• A non-traditional student must be enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program while maintaining continuous enrollment. Failure to remain in a baccalaureate degree program will result in a permanent loss of eligibility.
  • Except for an approved leave of absence, recipients enrolled at four-year eligible postsecondary institutions must remain continuously enrolled as Non-Traditional HOPE students. Switching to an associate degree program will constitute a permanent loss of the Non-Traditional HOPE Scholarship.
• A non-traditional student shall not be eligible for the TN HOPE's Aspire Award or the General Assembly Merit Award.

If you think you may meet the criteria for this scholarship, please contact our office for review.

Visit the official Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation's website for information on HOPE scholarship programs, application procedures, deadlines and award amounts.