QUICK REFERENCE SHEET
TN Promise, Tennessee HOPE Scholarship & TN Scholars
Tennessee Promise:
• Offers 2 years of tuition free community or technical college to high school graduates beginning
with the Class of 2015.
• No GPA, ACT or income requirements
• Complete 8 hours of community service
• Students must apply online at www.tnpromise.gov by November 1.
• Attend mandatory meetings at local high school
• Complete FAFSA by February 15
• Apply for community college or TCAT by February 15
• Once in the program, students must maintain a 2.0, complete 8 hours of community service
before the start of each term enrolled and file the FAFSA by February 15 each year.
Tennessee Hope Scholarship:
• Award Amount: Up to $6000/yr for 4 year institutions; Up to $3000/yr for 2 year inst.
• Students must have a minimum of a 21 ACT OR overall gpa of 3.0
• No income requirements
• Students must enroll within 16 months of high school graduation at an eligible institution.
• Complete FAFSA in order to apply for HOPE
Tennessee Scholars :
• Recognition Program that involves community business leaders to help motivate all students to
complete a rigorous course of study that will prepare them for college and their careers.
• Medallion worn at graduation
• Wilson County Tennessee Scholar Graduation held at Cumberland University
• Gold seal on diploma
• Permanent stamp on diploma
• Preferential hiring for TN Scholars
• Local, state & national recognition
• TN Scholars requirements are on the web at www.tennesseescholars.org
• Note: 80 hours community service, NO out-of-school suspensions and 95% attendance is
required
FAQ’s
TN Promise, HOPE Scholarship & TN Scholars
1. If my student goes out of state to college for a year and decides to return to
a Tennessee college/university, is he/she still eligible for HOPE?
No, enrollment in an ineligible institution during the 16 months
following high school graduation will make the student
permanently ineligible.
2. If my student has had OSS (out of school suspension), are they still eligible
for the HOPE Scholarship?
Yes, HOPE is not affected by ISS or OSS. The student would
not be eligible to be a TN Scholar if they receive OSS.
3. Community Service??? Is it required to graduate MJHS?
Community service is not a high school graduation requirement.
TN Scholars does require 80 hours during your 4 years of high
school. TN Promise requires students to complete 8 hours prior
to every semester they receive Promise. The HOPE scholarship
does not require community service.
4. Do I have to complete the FAFSA?
Yes, the FAFSA is the application for the HOPE Scholarship and
TN Promise.
5. Is there any scholarship money for TN Scholars? Why should a student
strive for this award?
Yes, some colleges give scholarships for TN Scholars; see TN
Scholar website for list/award amount. Being a TN Scholar is an
honor that shows the student’s commitment to academics,
community service and exceptional attendance.
6. To use TN Promise, do students have to start the fall semester after high
school graduation, or can they take off a semester then begin at a comm.
College or TCAT?
To receive TN Promise, students must start in the fall semester
after high school graduation.