Helping Heroes Grant

Application found within the TSAC Student Portal

 The Helping Heroes Grant is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to US veterans who were honorably discharged or who are a former or current member of a reserve or TN National Guard unit. 

The award amount is $1,000 per semester for a student who enrolls in twelve (12) or more semester hours in an eligible program of study. The student shall receive $500 per semester for enrolling in six (6) to eleven (11) semester hours in an eligible program of study. The student shall not receive an award if enrolled in fewer than six (6) semester hours.

To be eligible for the Helping Heroes Grant, the student must:

  • Be an honorably discharged veteran who had formally served the armed forces of the United States, or a former or current member of a reserve or Tennessee National Guard unit who was called into active military service of the United States
  • Be a resident of this state, as classified pursuant to 49-8-104 (TBR regulation).
  • Be awarded the following:
    • Iraq Campaign Medal;
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal; or
    • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, on or after Sept. 11, 2001
    • Other qualifying medals as authorized by Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
  • Enroll at an eligible 2-year or 4-year postsecondary institution (Click Here for a listing.)
  • Have not earned a baccalaureate degree;
  • Not be in default on a federal Title IV educational loan or Tennessee educational loan;
  • Not owe a refund on a federal Title IV student financial aid program or a Tennessee student financial aid program;
  • Be in compliance with federal drug-free rules and laws for receiving financial assistance;
  • Not be incarcerated;
  • Meet each qualification relating to this grant and applicable to the student; and
  • Not be required to meet any academic standard at the time of enrollment in order to be eligible for this grant.

Continuation Requirements

  • Recipients must maintain SAP as determined by the institution
  • Grant may be awarded for a maximum of eight (8) “full” semesters; 6-11 semester hours completed constitutes ½ semester

Complete the application for a Helping Heroes Grant for each academic year. The application processing deadlines are: September 1 (or the following business day) for fall enrollment, February 1 (or the following business day) for spring, or May 1 (or the following business day) for summer enrollment. Please mail your DD-214 to the address below or fax it to the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation at (615) 741-6101.

Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
312 Rosa Parks Blvd, 9th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243

Eligibility terminates once the student has:
  • Received the award for eight (8) full semesters;  or
  • Earned a baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first