Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program

student sitting outside the libraryThe helps cover the cost of college through several awards funded by the state lottery.

HOPE Scholarship

Eligibility (new freshmen):

  • 21/1060 ACT/SAT composite score or Final high school GPA 3.0 (on 4.0 scale)
  • GED: ACT/SAT requirement + GED score 170
  • HiSET: ACT/SAT requirement + HiSET score 15
  • Homeschool/Private: ACT/SAT requirement program & registered with TN local district
  • To be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship, students graduating from TN home school program must earn a minimum 21/1060 ACT/SAT composite score taken on a single test date or complete at least two dual enrollment courses totaling at least six semester hours at an eligible institution, achieve a GPA of at least 3.0 in each of the two dual enrollment courses, and earn a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in all dual enrollment courses attempted
  • Must enroll at an eligible college within 16 months of graduation/GED/HiSET

Renewal:

  • GPA reviews at 24, 48, 72, 96 attempted hours (and beyond if provisional)
  • After 24 & 48 hours → 2.75 GPA required
  • After 72 hours → 3.0 GPA required, or 2.75–2.99 GPA with 3.0 semester GPA (provisional)
  • Must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and continuous enrollment
  • Ends when:
    • Student earns a bachelor’s degree
    • OR attempts 120 credit hours (up to 136 if program requires more)
    • OR completes 8 full-time semesters
    • OR 5 years after initial enrollment.

HOPE Scholarship Deadlines

To see the current academic years deadlines please see 

Important: Never drop a class without talking to Financial Aid—dropping may affect HOPE eligibility.

Aspire Award

  • Must first qualify for the HOPE Scholarship
  • Parent’s or student’s adjusted gross income must be $36,000 or less
  • May receive Aspire OR GAMS, but not both

General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS)

Eligibility (new freshmen):

  • 29 ACT (or SAT equivalent) and
  • Final high school GPA 3.75
  • Homeschool/private school students must meet ACT/SAT criteria and enroll in eligible programs listed on TSAC’s website.
  • May receive Aspire OR GAMS, but not both

Helping Heroes Grant

  • For military veterans (armed forces, reserves, or National Guard) called into active duty
  • Funded through the TN Lottery Scholarship program
  • First-come, first-served
  • More info: Helping Heroes Grant – College for TN

HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant

  • For students who were in TN Department of Children’s Services (DCS) custody for at least 1 year after their 14th birthday
  • Must also qualify for the HOPE Scholarship
  • Works alongside the Chafee Education and Training Voucher Program
  • TSAC coordinates with DCS to identify recipients

Key Reminders

  • Awards may combine but some (like Aspire & GAMS) cannot be received together.
  • Maintain eligibility GPA and full-time/continuous enrollment.