Tennessee College Grants
Paying for college is a difficult task, and one that leaves many individuals only dreaming of being able to attend. Most individuals find themselves unable to pay for their education upfront and possibly cannot fit monthly payments to the school into their budget. The thought of the burden of thousands upon thousands of dollars of student load debt is at times too much to bear for most eighteen year olds and scholarships are becoming more competitive than ever. This leaves the one other option they have: grants.
The state of Tennessee currently offers various grants to the state residents. A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be required. While amounts may be small, the fact that grants are not required to be repaid makes the time and effort worth it. The less debt, and amount of stress, one can finish school with the better. Grants can help make this additional effort worthwhile.
The first grant in Tennessee is The Tennessee Student Assistance Award Program (TSAA). This program is funded by the state, and is awarded on a first come, first serve basis. In order to receive this award, the student must be a Tennessee resident, complete the FAFSA with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $2100 or less, be enrolled at a minimum of half-time at an eligible school and maintain academic standards without being in default or owe on any previously received grant.
Next is the Helping Heroes Grant. This award is specifically for veterans who have received one of the following awards: Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (on or after September 11, 2001) or the Iraq Campaign Medal. The individual must be enrolled at an eligible two or four-year university, a resident of Tennessee, not be in default on any educational loans and meet all academic standards. Deadlines for submitting applications are September 1st (fall); February 1st (spring) and May 1st (summer).
The Dual Enrollment Grant is funded by proceeds from the Tennessee State lottery. This grant allows high school students to begin working towards their college degree while still pursuing their high school diploma. A student must be a Tennessee resident, in a minimum of the 11th grade of high school, attend an eligible university, comply with requirements for registration and comply with educational standard. The purpose of this grant is to promote the ability to begin college while still in high school and get an early start on their future.
There are two options for the Hope Grant. The first is the Hope Access Grant, which provides $1750 for a two-year institution and $2750 for a four-year degree. Applicants must possess a 2.75 GPA, score at least an 18-20 on the ACT, and their parents must have an adjusted gross income of $36,000. The Tennessee Hope Foster Child Tuition Grant provides those who have been through the foster care system with the chance to build a better life for themselves.
Last but not least is the Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant. This award provides $2000 to a student enrolling in a certificate or diploma program at one of the Tennessee Technology Centers. This award is available to all those who are enrolled in such a program and have been a Tennessee resident for at least one year prior to their enrollment.
With the use of grants, students are given a chance; a chance to make a better life for themselves and their families. A chance to complete college without being saddled with the debt load of recent graduates. But most of all it gives people a fresh start, an answer to their prayers and a method to accomplish their dreams; all things that hold no monetary value at all, yet are the most incredible gifts anyone could ask for.
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College Grant Information By State