A Tennessee lottery scholarship is an award amount developed through the funding of the Tennessee lottery. Since the education lottery was established, it has provided more than $2 billion in educational support for the state of Tennessee, including a range of scholarships, pre-K programs, and afterschool programs for students of all ages. The organization currently offers 11 scholarships and grants for college bound students, and those scholarships are issued to students in 89 schools throughout the state. If you are a Tennessee student pursuing a college education, you may be able to benefit from this program in the future.
The Nature of the Lottery Scholarship
This scholarship program is funded by the Tennessee state lottery, and it provides for a range of awards to suit the needs of different students in the state. Most awards require students to uphold a minimal GPA and ACT score to qualify, and some require students to express financial need for college. The scholarships are issued to public, private, and technical schools, and they do not require students to hold specific majors in college. No matter what your plans may be in life, this scholarship program could potentially help you fund your education.
Which Tennessee Scholarship Is Right for You?
You have an array of Tennessee lottery scholarships to choose from, so you have to determine which one or ones you may qualify for. Here is a list of some of the most popular ones, courtesy of SeeHowItAddsUp.com.
- Tennessee HOPE Scholarship: The Tennessee HOPE Scholarship is the most well-known source of financial aid spawning from the Tennessee lottery. Award values range from $4,000 to $6,000, depending on when a student was accepted into the HOPE program. The award is divided evenly between the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students must hold a 3.0 GPA or higher to qualify, and they must have a minimum ACT score of 21 or SAT score of 980. ACT and SAT tests must be taken prior to the first day of college enrollment.
- General Assembly Merit Scholarship: This is award is issued as a supplement to the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, and it may be valued between $1,000 and $1,500. The awards for part time students are prorated to a certain percentage of the full time student value. Students must have a 3.75 GPA to qualify for this award, as well as a 29 ACT score or 1280 SAT score. To apply for this scholarship, you must fill out a FAFSA and speak with a school about your options.
- Tennessee HOPE Access Grant: This award is issued for students who come from households with less than $36,000 a year in gross income. This grant is non-renewable, and it is only issued to students with 2.75 GPAs or higher. Students must also have an ACT score of 18 or an SAT score of 860 to qualify. The award amounts range between $1,375 and $2.750 per semester based on the time that the applicant received the award. Part time awards are prorated based on enrollment hours.
- Tennessee Rural Health Loan Forgiveness Program: The Tennessee Rural Health Loan Forgiveness Program provides a maximum of $12,000 a year for up to five years for students who commit to working in rural health for a year after graduation. The award is only issued to 50 students a year. To qualify, students must complete their field of study by the spring semester 2013. Students will not be approved if they have other commitment loans, unless they are related to the US armed forces. You must be a Tennessee resident for at least one year before being admitted into the program.
- Tennessee Hope Foster Child Tuition Grant: If you can be defined as a former foster child by Tennessee law, you may qualify for this tuition grant. You must meet the requirements for the HOPE scholarship or access grant to qualify, and you must provide proof of your foster care. Most awards are valued at the cost of tuition and fees for a given term, but there are variations to that. This award lasts for four years of schooling after a student graduates from high school.
- Dual Enrollment Grant: This is for students that are currently attending high school and college courses at the same time. To qualify for the grant, you must apply in your junior or senior years of high school, and you must fulfill the high school course requirements for the program. The award holds a maximum value of $900 per semester, and it is renewable. Qualify students may use the grant to pay for summer courses, as well as traditional spring and fall semesters.
For general rules about the Tennessee Lottery Scholarship Program, you can look at the Tennessee state website. You can also review this list of frequently asked questions to find out more about eligibility and general requirements for the awards listed above. If you explore your options thoroughly enough, you may be able to find a solution to help you pay for college.
