Types of HOPE Scholarship 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 when it is first received and 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 Access Grant

The TN HOPE Access Grant is a one-time only award available for graduating high school seniors who do not meet minimum TN HOPE Scholarship requirements. The requirements for this grant are listed below.

• Entering freshman must have minimum weighted 2.75 GPA AND
• 18-20 ACT score (950-1030 SAT); AND
• Parent or independent student (and spouse) adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less

The grant is non-renewable. However, if a student receiving the TN HOPE Access Grant meets the minimum requirements for the TN HOPE Scholarship at the first 24-hour benchmark, the student's award will be updated for the following year to the Traditional TN HOPE Scholarship. If ineligible at the 24-benchmark, a TN HOPE Access recipient shall be eligible for the TN HOPE Scholarship at a later benchmark if the student maintains continuous enrollment without the award and meets the GPA requirements at said benchmark.

*This award cannot be combined with the TN HOPE Scholarship.

TN HOPE Aspire Supplemental 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 minimum 3.75 weighted GPA AND 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 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.

In order to receive this award, students must be eligible directly after high school.

*This award cannot be combined with the TN HOPE Aspire Supplemental 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 25 or older (by first day of classes) upon re-enrolling in an eligible postsecondary institution after at least a two-year hiatus or for the first time 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) is $36,000 or less.
• Student must first complete 12 hours with a 2.75 GPA to be eligible for this award.
• 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.

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.