Navigating the path to college can be overwhelming — especially when it comes to paying for it. Fortunately, Tennessee offers a range of scholarships that can help reduce the financial burden for families.
These state-funded programs are designed to support students from all backgrounds, whether they’re heading to a four-year university, a community college, or a technical school.
This guide breaks down the most accessible and impactful scholarship options in Tennessee along with details on who they are for, the requirements and how to apply.
Scholarships for 4-year schools
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
A lottery-funded scholarship for Tennessee students attending eligible colleges or universities.
Who qualifies:
• Tennessee Residents
• High school graduates with either: 21+ ACT score or 3.0 GPA
• Must enroll within 16 months of graduation
Award:
• Up to $2,250 per semester for freshmen and sophomores at 4-year schools
• Increases for upperclassmen
How to apply:
• Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
• Apply: tn.gov/collegepays
Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship
What it is: A scholarship that supports students with intellectual disabilities who have completed high school and enroll in an individualized program of study at eligible postsecondary institutions.
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- completion of high school under an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
- Must enroll within 16 months of graduation
Award:
- Up to $2,250 per semester for freshmen and sophomores at at eligible postsecondary institutions.
- up to $2,850 per semester for juniors and seniors attending full-time
How to apply:
Apply: Students and parents must complete the STEP UP Scholarship application and email the completed application to STEPUP.program@tn.gov.
Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
Tennessee Hope Scholarship- Nontraditional
What it is: A scholarship that provides financial assistance to independent students aged 25 or older, or those re-enrolling after a two-year gap, at eligible four-year institutions.
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- Applicants must have an adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less
- Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
- Recipients must maintain continuous enrollment with satisfactory academic progress. Recipients must achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 after 12 or 24 attempted semester hours to continue receiving the scholarship.
Award:
- Up to $2,250 per semester for freshmen and sophomores at 4-year schools
- Increases for upperclassmen
How to apply:
Apply: tn.gov/collegepays
Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
Tennessee General Assembly Merit Scholarship
What it is: A merit-based supplement to the HOPE Scholarship gap.
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- Students must meet HOPE Scholarship requirements
- Achieve a minimum 3.75 GPA
- Score at least 29 on the ACT or 1330 on the SAT
- Enroll in an eligible postsecondary institutions within 16 months of high school graduation
Award:
- Up to $500 per semester for eligible students
How to apply:
Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
Tennessee Promise Scholarship
What it is: A last-dollar program covering tuition and mandatory fees for recent high school graduates attending community colleges, colleges of applied technology, or eligible associate degree programs. In addition to financial aid, the program includes mentoring.
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- Students who complete eight hours of community service per semester
- Achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA
Award:
- Free tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students
How to apply:
- Submit the Tennessee Promise application by November 1 of your senior year
- Apply for the FAFSA by Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
Tennessee Dependent Children Scholarship Program
What it is: A scholarship providing financial aid to dependent children of Tennessee law enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical service technicians who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- Those with documentation of a parent’s service-related death or disability
- Satisfactory academic progress
Award:
- Free tuition, fees, and other educational costs for full-time undergraduate students attending eligible Tennessee institutions, with awards renewable for up to four years or the program’s completion.
How to apply:
- To apply, submit an application on the TSAC Student Portal. TSAC must receive the completed application and required documentation by September 1.
- Apply for the FAFSA by Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
The Ned McWherter Scholars Program
What it is: A is a merit-based scholarship designed to encourage academically exceptional Tennessee high school graduates to attend college in-state..
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- A minimum 3.75 GPA
- An ACT score of 32 (or SAT score of 1430)
- Those maintaining full-time enrollment with at least a 3.0 GPA to renew the award for up to four years.
Award:
- $6,000 annually, with $3,000 provided by the State of Tennessee and $3,000 matched by the recipient’s college or university.
How to apply:
- Submit an official high school transcript that contains the applicant’s high school grades through the first semester of the senior year
- Send the official ACT/SAT score.
- Submit an application on the TSAC Student Portal
The Tennessee Future Teachers Scholarship
What it is: A loan-scholarship program designed to encourage students to pursue teaching careers in Tennessee, particularly in high-need schools or critical subject areas.
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- College juniors, seniors, and post-baccalaureate candidates enrolled in approved educator preparation programs (EPPs) at eligible institutions
- Recipients must agree to teach in a Tennessee public school for four years to qualify for loan forgiveness
Award:
- Free tuition and mandatory fees less gift aid from other grants and scholarships.
How to apply:
- Students must complete the scholarship application and email the completed application to TSAC.AidInfo@tn.gov by September 1st for fall semester, March 1st for spring semester, and May 1st for summer semester.
- In addition, recipients must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for each academic year.
Scholarships for 2-year schools
Tennessee Promise Scholarship
What it is: A last-dollar program covering tuition and mandatory fees for recent high school graduates attending community colleges, colleges of applied technology, or eligible associate degree programs. In addition to financial aid, the program includes mentoring.
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- Students who complete eight hours of community service per semester
- Achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA
Award:
- Free tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students
How to apply:
- Submit the Tennessee Promise application by November 1 of your senior year
- Apply for the FAFSA by Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
What it is: A lottery-funded scholarship for Tennessee students attending eligible colleges or universities.
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- High school graduates with either: 21+ ACT score or 3.0 GPA
- Must enroll within 16 months of graduation
Award:
- Up to $2,250 per semester for freshmen and sophomores at 4-year schools
- Increases for upperclassmen
How to apply:
- Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
- Apply: tn.gov/collegepays
Tennessee General Assembly Merit Scholarship
What it is: A merit-based supplement to the HOPE Scholarship gap.
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- Students must meet HOPE Scholarship requirements
- Achieve a minimum 3.75 GPA
- Score at least 29 on the ACT or 1330 on the SAT
- Enroll in an eligible postsecondary institutions within 16 months of high school graduation
Award:
- Up to $500 per semester for eligible students
How to apply:
Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
Middle College Scholarship
What it is: The scholarship supports students pursuing both a high school diploma and an associate degree simultaneously, with eligibility lasting up to two years or until program completion
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- High school juniors and seniors enrolled full-time in a middle college program at an eligible public two-year institution.
- Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA by the end of their sophomore year and maintain a 3.0 GPA in their college courses to remain eligible
Award:
- Provides $2,000 per semester
How to apply:
Fill out the application found within the TSAC Student Portal. Applicants must complete and submit the Middle College Scholarship application by November 1.
Tennessee Dependent Children Scholarship Program
What it is: A scholarship providing financial aid to dependent children of Tennessee law enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical service technicians who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- Those with documentation of a parent’s service-related death or disability
- Satisfactory academic progress
Award:
- Free tuition, fees, and other educational costs for full-time undergraduate students attending eligible Tennessee institutions, with awards renewable for up to four years or the program’s completion.
How to apply:
- To apply, submit an application on the TSAC Student Portal. TSAC must receive the completed application and required documentation by September 1.
- Apply for the FAFSA by Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
The Ned McWherter Scholars Program
What it is: A is a merit-based scholarship designed to encourage academically exceptional Tennessee high school graduates to attend college in-state..
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- A minimum 3.75 GPA
- An ACT score of 32 (or SAT score of 1430)
- Those maintaining full-time enrollment with at least a 3.0 GPA to renew the award for up to four years.
Award:
- $6,000 annually, with $3,000 provided by the State of Tennessee and $3,000 matched by the recipient’s college or university.
How to apply:
- Submit an official high school transcript that contains the applicant’s high school grades through the first semester of the senior year
- Send the official ACT/SAT score.
- Submit an application on the TSAC Student Portal
TCATS
Tennessee Promise Scholarship
What it is: A last-dollar program covering tuition and mandatory fees for recent high school graduates attending community colleges, colleges of applied technology, or eligible associate degree programs. In addition to financial aid, the program includes mentoring.
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- Students who complete eight hours of community service per semester
- Achieve a minimum 2.0 GPA
Award:
- Free tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students
How to apply:
- Submit the Tennessee Promise application by November 1 of your senior year
- Apply for the FAFSA by Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
Tennessee Dependent Children Scholarship Program
What it is: A scholarship providing financial aid to dependent children of Tennessee law enforcement officers, firefighters, or emergency medical service technicians who were killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.
Who qualifies:
- Tennessee Residents
- Those with documentation of a parent’s service-related death or disability
- Satisfactory academic progress
Award:
- Free tuition, fees, and other educational costs for full-time undergraduate students attending eligible Tennessee institutions, with awards renewable for up to four years or the program’s completion.
How to apply:
- To apply, submit an application on the TSAC Student Portal. TSAC must receive the completed application and required documentation by September 1.
- Apply for the FAFSA by Complete the FAFSA by Sept. 1 (fall) or Feb. 1 (spring/summer)
