Tennessee HOPE Scholarship - Nontraditional

Application is the FAFSA

 The HOPE Scholarship for nontraditional age students is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to independent students as determined by the FAFSA application and who has enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible four-year postsecondary institution. 

Four-Year Institutions and two-year institutions with on-campus housing:

  • Up to $2,250 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshmen and sophomore
  • Up to $2,850 per full-time enrollment semester as a junior and senior

Award amounts mentioned above are available for summer enrollment

  • Only courses leading to a student’s Baccalaureate degree can be awarded under the HOPE Scholarship for nontraditional students.
  • Determination of class status is made by the postsecondary institution
  • Be classified as a Tennessee resident pursuant to TCA 49-8-104
  • Be  an independent student as determined on the FAFSA application and enroll in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible four-year postsecondary institution; 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
  • Must have student’s and spouse’s adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less on IRS tax form
  • Be continuously enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution in the fall and spring semesters and maintain satisfactory academic progress
  • Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 after 12 attempted semester hours or required GPA at subsequent benchmark. (Attempted hours and college grades prior to re-enrollment at an eligible postsecondary institution are not considered.)
  • Enroll in one of the Tennessee eligible public colleges, universities, or private colleges. 

A non-traditional student shall not be eligible for the Aspire Award or the General Assembly Merit Scholarship.

Renewal Criteria

  • The student must have a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA at the end of the semester in which the student attempted 24 and 48 semester hours.
  • The student must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at the end of the semester in which the student attempted 72 and 96 semester hours or any multiple of 24 semester hours thereafter.
  • If the student does not have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA at the end of the semester in which the student attempted 72 and 96 semester hours or any multiple of 24 semster hours thereafter, then the student must:
    • Have a minimum 2.75 – 2.99 cumulative GPA and have a semester GPA of at least 3.0 at the end of the semester in which the student attempted 72 and 96 semester hours or any multiple of 24 attempted hours thereafter. The student’s continued eligibility will be determined on a semester-by-semester basis and must maintain full-time enrollment.
  • If a student ceases to be academically eligible for the HOPE Scholarship, the student may regain the award one-time only. The award may be re-established once the student meets any of the above criteria and maintains continuous enrollment and satisfactory academic progress at an eligible postsecondary institution without the HOPE Scholarship.
  • Must be continuously enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution in the fall and spring semesters and maintain satisfactory academic progress

Apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at www.fafsa.gov. Applications must be received by September 1st for fall semester, February 1st for spring and summer semesters. Early application is recommended.

A student may receive the HOPE Scholarship  for nontraditional students until the first of the following terminating events:

  • Student has earned a baccalaureate degree; or
  • Five (5) years have passed since the student enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution as a nontraditional student