TN Lottery Scholarship FAQ's
Do I have to reapply each year to receive my award?
Yes. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. This can be done at www.fafsa.gov
Do I need to maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) to retain my award?
Yes. To retain the HOPE Scholarship, you must maintain satisfactory academic progress and achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.75 after attempting 24 and 48 semester hours. After attempting 72 semester hours or any multiple of twenty-four (24) semester hours, a student may retain the award in one of two ways: • achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or • if your cumulative GPA is between 2.75-2.99 and your semester GPA is 3.0 or above in the prior semester then you may retain the award on a semester-to-semester basis. Under these guidelines, students must maintain fulltime enrollment and their eligibility is checked after each semester except for the summer. However, students who meet these guidelines and enroll full time for the summer will have their eligibility checked at the end of the summer term. Students who receive the HOPE Access Grant will receive the award for each semester until they have attempted 24 semester hours. If students meet the HOPE Scholarship renewal criteria listed above then their award will convert to the HOPE Scholarship.
How will my eligibility be affected if I decide to drop a course(s)?
You should never drop a course without talking to the financial aid office at your institution. Your full-time (12+ hours) or part-time (6-11 hours) enrollment status, as of the institution’s census date, is the enrollment status you must maintain throughout the semester. Dropping a course(s) without a documented medical or personal reason may cause you to permanently lose your HOPE Scholarship eligibility.
If I decide to take a semester off, how will my award be impacted?
All award recipients must maintain continuous enrollment at an eligible postsecondary institution. This means that students must be enrolled at least part time for the fall and spring semesters to continue to receive the award. Enrollment in the summer semester is not required. Students enrolled in less than six (6) credit hours will maintain continuous enrollment but do not qualify for an award.
If I lose my award, can I regain it?
Yes. Students who fail to meet the renewal requirements and lose the HOPE Scholarship can regain the award one time by meeting the renewal criteria listed above at a benchmark. Students cannot appeal to regain the HOPE Scholarship if their GPA falls below the renewal requirements. Students who lose the award due to a nonacademic reason such as not maintaining continuous enrollment or changing their enrollment status from full time to part time, or part time to less than part time, are not eligible to regain the award unless an appeal is approved by the postsecondary institution or TSAC. For further information regarding the appeal process, contact your school.
How long can I receive the HOPE Scholarship?
Students who meet all criteria to retain the HOPE Scholarship may receive the award until the student has earned a baccalaureate degree or five (5) years have passed from the date of the student’s initial enrollment at any postsecondary institution.
How will my grade point average be calculated for purposes of the HOPE Scholarship?
All courses attempted after high school graduation shall be used in calculating the grade point average. Students may repeat one (1) course one (1) time and use the higher grade achieved. However, both courses attempted shall be used in the attempted hours total.
How do I qualify to receive the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant each year?
Students must apply by completing the FAFSA each year, maintain continuous enrollment in a certificate or diploma program at an eligible Tennessee Technology Center and maintain satisfactory progress. No minimum number of enrollment hours is needed to maintain the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant. Prior HOPE Scholarship recipients are not eligible to receive this grant. Wilder-Naifeh recipients who complete their diploma may qualify for a HOPE Scholarship if initial eligibility requirements were met upon high school graduation. For a complete list of eligible institutions, please visit http://www.tn.gov/CollegePays/mon_college/eligible_instut.htm.
If I enroll less than full time, will my award be reduced?
Yes. HOPE Scholarship recipients who are enrolled less than full time will receive a reduced amount. Students enrolled in 9-11 hours will receive ¾ of the award and students enrolled in 6-8 hours will receive ½ of the award. Students enrolled less than 6 hours will not receive an award. Your enrollment status is determined as of the institution’s census date. Students receiving the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant will receive a reduced award if they are enrolled less than full time or enroll for less than a full academic term.
Where can I use the HOPE Scholarship?
The HOPE Scholarship must be used at an eligible postsecondary institution in the state of Tennessee. For a complete list of eligible institutions, please visit http://www.tn.gov/CollegePays/mon_college/eligible_instut.htm. Students who choose to attend an out-of-state institution are not eligible to receive the award.
If I change schools, how do I transfer my award?
If you transfer to another eligible postsecondary institution, you can transfer your award in one of two ways. You may complete a Change of Institution Request Form which can be found at the following link: http://www.tn.gov/collegepays/stud_par/Chng-of-Inst-PDF/ChangeOfInstitution-rev-2009.pdf. You can also list your new institution as the first choice on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).