Going to college is an increasingly expensive endeavor. To make the experience more financially accessible for students, there are a variety of funding sources offered by the state government, federal government, and other entities. The charts below highlight key information about different funding sources available to TN students. Note: scholarship and grant funding amounts and eligibility requirements can change, so be sure to check this information directly with the funding sources. Unless stated, the award amounts are for the 2021-2022 academic year.
| Federal and State Level Aid | Federal Aid | Pell Grants 2021-2022 Award Amount |
Federal Work Study | Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants | Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation Department |
| Award Amount | Through the FAFSA application, students with disabilities may qualify for Pell Grants, Federal Work Study, federal loans, or the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. Many awards are determined based upon individual student need.1 | Up to $6,8952 |
Students are paid at least minimum wage by the hour. The total work-study award depends on factors such as: • Time of application3 • Financial need3 • School’s funding level3 |
$100 to $4,000 per year, depending on financial need4 | Up to $3,000 per semester for two academic years5 |
| Basic Eligibility Requirement |
• High school diploma or GED certificate1 • Enrollment in an eligible program1 • Maintain satisfactory academic progress1 |
• Level of financial need2 • Meet eligibility criteria for the FAFSA and complete the FAFSA2 |
• Meet eligibility criteria for the FAFSA and complete the FAFSA3 |
• Exceptional financial need4 • Meet eligibility criteria for the FAFSA and complete the FAFSA4 |
Contact your local VR office to learn more about eligibility requirements. |
| Accepted by community colleges | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Determined by VR on an individual basis |
| Accepted by colleges of applied technology | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Determined by VR on an individual basis |
| Accepted by inclusive higher education programs | Yes, except for federal loans | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Accepted by traditional 4-year colleges | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Determined by VR on an individual basis |
| Scholarship or Merit-based Aid | TN HOPE Scholarship | Tennessee HOPE Access Grant | Aspire Award | TN Promise | Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA) | Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship |
| Award Amount |
Four-year institutions: Up to $2,250 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore; up to $2,850 per full-time enrollment semester as a junior and senior Two-year institutions: Up to $1,600 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore6 |
Up to $1,375 per semester at an eligible four-year institution or an eligible two-year institution that offers on-campus housing. Up to $688 per semester at an eligible two-year postsecondary institution Total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $2,4317 |
Four-year institutions: Up to $750 per semester as a supplement to the HOPE Scholarship; including summer Two-year institutions: Up to $250 per semester as a supplement to the HOPE Scholarship; including summer8 |
TN Promise provides two years of tuition-free attendance. Award amount varies based on amount of remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has been applied. At eligible 4-year programs, the maximum amount is the average cost of aid and mandatory fees at a two-year school.9/10 |
Four-year/two-year private: $4,000 Four-year public/Two-year public/Career Schools/TN College of Applied Technology (TCAT): $2,00012 |
Four-year institutions: Up to $2,250 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore; up to $2,850 per full-time enrollment semester as a junior and senior Two-year institutions: Up to $1,600 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore13 |
| Basic Eligibility Requirement |
• Have been a Tennessee resident for one year6 • Graduate from an eligible high school in TN6 • Enroll in a public college, university, or private college in TN6 • Entering freshmen must achieve a at least a 21 on the ACT or a 1060 on the SAT OR have an overall weighted minimum 3.0 GPA |
• Student is not eligible for HOPE Scholarship7 • Graduate from a TN eligible high school7 • Enroll in a TN public college, university, or private school7 • Final high school GPA 2.75-2.99 AND 18-20 ACT or 960-1050 SAT, without essay7 • Adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less on IRS form7 • Expires after 24 attempted credit hours but may become eligible for HOPE Scholarship7 |
• Meet TN HOPE Scholarship requirement8 • Have parents’ or independent student’s and spouse’s adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less on IRS tax form8 • Complete the FAFSA8 |
• Be a TN resident, U.S. citizen, or an eligible non-citizen9/10 • Graduate from an eligible high school or earn a GED/HISET9/10 • Attend mandatory meetings and participate in a mentoring program9/10 • Perform 8 hours of community service prior to each term the award is received9/10 • At a traditional 4-year institution, student must enroll in an associate’s degree program11 |
• Be a TN resident12 • Complete FAFSA and have Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of 2100 or less12 • Enroll at least halftime at an eligible TN institution12 • Maintain satisfactory academic progress12 • Not be in default on a loan or owe a refund on previous grant12 |
• Have been a TN resident for 1 year13 • Complete high school in TN13 • Receive a regular, occupational, alternate academic, or special education diploma13 • Enroll in a comprehensive transition program no more than 16 months after completing high school13 |
| Accepted by community colleges | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Accepted by colleges of applied technology | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Accepted by comprehensive transition programs | No | No | No | Accepted at some programs; check with the organization | Yes | Yes |
| Accepted by traditional 4-year colleges | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes, but only for an associate’s degree program | Yes | No |
Descriptions of Financial Aid Sources
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an application that students can fill out for free to access the federal student aid (e.g. federal grants, work-study, and loans) for which they qualify.1
Pell Grants are forms of federal financial aid which do not have to be repaid with the exception of a few circumstances. To access Pell Grants, students must complete the FAFSA.2
Federal Work Study is a student aid program that provides part-time employment for students enrolled in postsecondary education to help pay for their education.3
The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant “is a grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.” It is directly administered by the financial aid office at each school participating in the program.4
The Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation Department offers $3,000 each semester in Transitional Learning Services funds for two academic years for their clients.5
The TN HOPE Scholarship is a scholarship and grant assistance program designed to help Tennessee residents attending eligible postsecondary institutions in Tennessee partake in post-secondary education opportunities.6
The Tennessee HOPE Access Grant is a state program, administered through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, established to provide need-based aid to Tennessee residents who are enrolled in one of the Tennessee public colleges, universities, or private colleges. The award is based on the financial need and merit.7
The Aspire Award is for students that are eligible for the HOPE scholarship and need some additional financial assistance. They “must have parents’ or independent student’s and spouse’s adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less on IRS tax form.” Students apply with the FAFSA.8
TN Promise is a scholarship and mentoring program that provides two years of tuition-free attendance at a community or technical college or a 4-year university for an associate’s degree in Tennessee. TN Promise is a last-dollar scholarship, which means that it will cover tuition and fees not covered by other sources of financial aid such as the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. If used at a 4-year university, TN Promise will cover up to the average price of community college ($4,000)9/10/11
The Tennessee Student Assistance Award Program is a program for undergraduate students with significant financial need. Students apply with the FAFSA.12
The Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship is for Tennessee residents with intellectual disability who enroll in an inclusive comprehensive transition program.13
For further information about…
1 The FAFSA application visit: https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/help
2 Pell Grants visit: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/pell
3 Federal Work-Study visit: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/work-study
4 Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants visit: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/grants/fseog
5 The Tennessee Vocational Rehabilitation Department Transitional Learning Services funding visit: https://tnihealliance.org/financial-information-for-families/
6 TN Hope Scholarship awards and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/collegepays/money-for-college/tn-education-lottery-programs/tennessee-hope-scholarship.html
7 Hope Access Grant visit: https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/high-school-students/scholarships-for-high-school-seniors/tennessee-hope-access-grant#:~:text=Additional%20Information%3A%20The%20Tennessee%20HOPE,%2C%20universities%2C%20or%20private%20colleges
8 Aspire Award visit: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/collegepays/money-for-college/tn-education-lottery-programs/aspire-award.html
9 TN Promise Scholarship awards visit: https://www.tn.gov/tnpromise
10 TN Promise Scholarship requirements visit: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/collegepays/money-for-college/state-of-tennessee-programs/tennessee-promise-scholarship.html
11 TN Promise Scholarship eligible institutions visit: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tnpromise/archive-files/TNPromiseListofInstitutions_011417.pdf
12 Tennessee Student Assistance Award visit: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/collegepays/money-for-college/grant-programs/tennessee-student-assistance-award.html
13 The Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship visit: https://www.tn.gov/collegepays/money-for-college/state-of-tennessee-programs/tennessee-step-up-scholarship.html
Last updated Dec 06, 2022
