• Entering freshmen (High School Class of 2009) must be a Tennessee resident one year prior as of September 1^st of the academic year of enrollment in an eligible post secondary institution.
• Enroll in an eligible Tennessee public college/university or Tennessee private college/university no later than 16 months immediately following graduation from high school or attaining a GED. A listing of these schools can be found at www.CollegePaysTN.com
• Apply with the 2009-10 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or renewal 2009-10 FAFSA starting January 1 for each academic year (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Early application recommended.
• Full-time enrollment (part-time prorated) – leading to a degree in approved colleges and universities.
• Award amounts based on available funding from State Lottery.

Tennessee Hope Scholarship

• Award amount – $4,000 for 4 year institutions; $2,000 for 2 year institutions (no more than cost of attendance)
• Entering freshmen must have at least a 21 ACT (980 SAT) or overall weighted 3.0 GPA
• Home school graduates – 21 ACT (980 SAT)
• GED applicants – 525 and 21 ACT (980 SAT)

General Assembly Merit Scholarship

• Award amount – $1,000 supplement to Tennessee HOPE Scholarship.
• Entering freshmen must have at least an unweighted 3.75 GPA and 29 ACT (1280 SAT)

Tennessee ASPIRE Award

• Award amount – $1,500 supplement to Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
• Meet Tennessee HOPE Scholarship requirements and
• Parent(s) adjusted gross income (on FAFSA) of $36,000 or less (dependent student) or
• Student (and spouse) adjusted gross income (on FAFSA) of $36,000 or less (independent student)

(A student eligible for both the ASPIRE Award and the General Assembly Merit Scholarship shall be awarded the ASPIRE Award, but shall not simultaneously receive both awards.)

Tennessee Hope Access Grant

• Award amount – $2,750 for 4 year institutions; $1,325 for 2 year institutions.
• Entering freshmen must have at least an unweighted 2.75 GPA and 18 ACT (860 SAT) and
• Parent(s) adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less for dependent student or student (and spouse) for independent student.
• Grant non-renewable – will be eligible for Tennessee HOPE Scholarship by meeting HOPE Scholarship renewal criteria.

Tennessee Hope Scholarship Renewal Criteria

• Eligibility shall be reviewed at the end of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of 24, 48, 72, 96, or 120 semester hours.
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours. After attempting 72 hours and beyond a student may retain the award by either:
  • Achieving a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above, or
  • Achieving a cumulative GPA of 2.75-2.99 AND a semester GPA of at least 3.0 in the preceding term for which the student will receive the award as a full-time enrolled student. This is the “Provisional Track.”  
• Must maintain satisfactory academic progress AND continuous enrollment. If withdrawing or changing enrollment status within a semester, see the financial aid office for consequences of doing so. Dropping from full-time to part-time without prior approval will result in forfeiture of the HOPE Scholarship forever. 
• Scholarship is terminated after attainment of baccalaureate degree OR 5 years have passed from initial enrollment - whichever occurs first.
• Be enrolled in at least 6 hours; 12 hours if eligible on provisional basis.

NOTE: The cumulative GPA for the Hope Scholarship is based on the laws governing the calculation of the GPA and may not be the same as your Lee University GPA as shown on your transcript.

For answers to your questions, please contact:
Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
(615) 741-1346 • 1-800-342-1663 • FAX (615) 253-3867
http://www.CollegePaysTN.com
http://www.state.tn.us/tsac