Tennessee scholarships and grants
Every program the state of Tennessee runs for students, checked against its official page. For a list matched to you, answer a few questions.
Hide service scholarships (2) These pay for school in exchange for working in a job or place afterward.
Open to most students
Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA)
Up to $4,000 per year at private four-year/two-year colleges; up to $2,000 per year at public colleges, private career schools and TCATsTennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Open now · due April 1, 2027Tennessee's main need-based grant: up to $4,000 a year at private colleges and up to $2,000 a year at public colleges, TCATs and career schools.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For students starting college, undergrads, adults going back to school, transfer students, trade school students
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tennessee Promise Scholarship
Varies: the remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has been appliedTennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC), with partnering organizations tnAchieves and The Ayers Foundation Trust
Open now · due November 2, 2026Last-dollar scholarship plus a mentor: covers tuition and mandatory fees not paid by other gift aid at TN community colleges, TCATs and eligible associate-degree programs.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
Up to $2,250 per full-time semester (freshman/sophomore) and up to $2,850 per full-time semester (junior/senior) at four-year colleges; up to $1,600 per full-time semester at two-year colleges; summer included (annual maximum up to $8,550)Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Apply any timeLottery-funded merit scholarship: up to $2,250 per semester (years 1-2) and $2,850 per semester (years 3-4) at TN four-year colleges; up to $1,600 per semester at two-year colleges.
- What it takes: FAFSA + test scores + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 3+ GPA
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tennessee Nontraditional HOPE Scholarship
Up to $2,250 per full-time semester (freshman/sophomore) and up to $2,850 per full-time semester (junior/senior), including summersTennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Apply any timeHOPE for independent adult students with AGI of $36,000 or less in a bachelor's program: up to $2,250 per semester (years 1-2) and $2,850 per semester (years 3-4).
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For undergrads, adults going back to school, transfer students
- Needs a 2.75+ GPA
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tennessee Future Teacher Scholarship
$1,750 per semester, up to $3,500 per academic yearTennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Apply any timeService scholarshipThe catch: Teach 2 years in a row in a high-need Tennessee public school setting, or repay the award as a loan.
$1,750 per semester (up to $3,500 a year) for juniors, seniors and post-bacc students in a Tennessee educator prep program who agree to teach two years in a high-need Tennessee setting.
- What it takes: state application + recommendation
- For undergrads, grad students
- For education students
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant
$2,000 per academic year (up to $667 per trimester)Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Apply any time$2,000 a year for any Tennessee resident in a certificate or diploma program at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT).
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For trade school students, students starting college, adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
General Assembly Merit Scholarship (GAMS, HOPE supplement)
Up to $500 per semester (including summer), on top of HOPETennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Apply any timeMerit add-on to the HOPE Scholarship: up to $500 more per semester, including summer, for students with a 3.75 GPA and a 29 ACT / 1330 SAT.
- What it takes: FAFSA + test scores + transcript
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 3.75+ GPA
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Aspire Award (HOPE supplement)
Up to $750 per semester (four-year) or up to $250 per semester (two-year), on top of HOPETennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Apply any timeNeed-based add-on to the HOPE Scholarship: up to $750 more per semester at four-year colleges, $250 at two-year colleges, for families with AGI of $36,000 or less.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
TCAT Reconnect Grant
Varies: the remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has been appliedTennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Apply any timeLast-dollar grant covering remaining tuition and mandatory fees for independent students in a full-time certificate or diploma program at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology.
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For adults going back to school, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tennessee Reconnect Grant
Varies: the remaining tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has been appliedTennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Apply any timeLast-dollar grant for adults: covers tuition and mandatory fees not paid by other gift aid for a certificate or associate degree at TN community colleges, TCATs and eligible schools.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For adults going back to school, undergrads, students starting college, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Ned McWherter Scholars Program
$6,000 per academic year ($3,000 state + $3,000 institutional match)Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Due March 1, 2027$6,000 a year ($3,000 state + $3,000 college match) for top Tennessee high school graduates (3.75 GPA and 32 ACT / 1430 SAT) attending a Tennessee college; competitive.
- What it takes: state application + transcript + test scores
- For high school seniors, students starting college
- Needs a 3.75+ GPA
- Who can get it: U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or eligible non-citizen
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Middle College Scholarship
$2,000 per semester ($4,000 per year)Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Due November 1, 2026$2,000 per semester ($4,000 a year) for high school juniors and seniors enrolled full-time in a Tennessee community college middle-college program to earn an associate degree.
- What it takes: state application
- For high school seniors
- Needs a 3+ GPA
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
For specific students
Military families, foster youth, certain careers and more. Each card says who qualifies.
Dependents Tuition Waiver (children and spouses of Tennessee veterans killed, POW or MIA)
Free tuition, maintenance fees, student activity fees and registration fees at Tennessee public colleges and universitiesState of Tennessee (Tennessee Department of Veterans Services; T.C.A. 49-7-102)
Apply any timeFree tuition and fees at Tennessee public colleges for children (under 23) and spouses of Tennessee service members killed, missing in action or held as prisoners of war during a period of armed conflict.
- Who it's for: Child (under 23) or spouse of a Tennessee service member killed, died of service injuries, POW or MIA during a period of armed conflict
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Helping Heroes Grant
$1,000 per semester (12+ hours) or $500 per semester (6-11 hours)Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Apply any time$1,000 per semester (full-time) or $500 (part-time) for Tennessee veterans and Guard/reserve members who received a qualifying campaign medal.
- Who it's for: Veterans and current/former reserve or Tennessee National Guard members with a qualifying campaign medal (Iraq, Afghanistan, GWOT Expeditionary, Inherent Resolve)
- What it takes: state application
- For undergrads, adults going back to school, students starting college
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Reduction in Force (RIF) Tuition Assistance Benefit
Set by the former agency, up to the cost of tuition and mandatory fees, for up to two years after separationTennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Apply any timeUp to two years of tuition and mandatory fees at Tennessee public colleges and TCATs for state employees laid off in a Reduction in Force, if their former agency funds it.
- Who it's for: Former Tennessee state employee separated due to a Reduction in Force
- What it takes: state application
- For adults going back to school, undergrads, trade school students
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant
Up to the cost of tuition and mandatory fees (cost of attendance minus gift aid)Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Apply any timeCovers tuition and mandatory fees (after other gift aid) for students who were in Tennessee DCS custody at age 13 or older, for up to six years.
- Who it's for: Former foster youth: in Tennessee DCS custody at age 13 or older (including adoption or permanent guardianship by DCS after 13)
- What it takes: FAFSA only
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Needs a 3+ GPA
- Partly need-based: your FAFSA can affect whether you get it or how much.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship
Same as HOPE: up to $2,250 per semester (freshman/sophomore) and $2,850 per semester (junior/senior) at four-year institutions; up to $1,600 per semester at two-year institutionsTennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Apply any timeHOPE-level award (up to $2,250-$2,850 per semester at four-year, $1,600 at two-year) for students with intellectual disabilities in an approved college program.
- Who it's for: Only some students qualify. The official page explains who.
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For students starting college, undergrads
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tennessee STRONG Act (State Tuition Assistance for the Tennessee National Guard)
Up to 100% of maximum in-state tuition (UT Knoxville rate), last-dollar; plus course/program fees up to $3,500 (undergraduate) or $7,500 (graduate) per fiscal yearTennessee Military Department
Apply any timeService scholarshipThe catch: Stay in the Tennessee National Guard through the end of each funded term; any extra service or repayment terms are on the official page.
Last-dollar tuition reimbursement up to 100% of in-state tuition (UT Knoxville rate) for current Tennessee National Guard members pursuing a first certificate, associate, bachelor's or master's degree.
- Who it's for: Currently serving member of the Tennessee National Guard (Army or Air), in good standing
- What it takes: state application + membership + transcript
- For undergrads, grad students, trade school students, adults going back to school
- Needs a 2+ GPA
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Tuition waiver for Tennesseans 60/65+ and totally disabled persons (T.C.A. 49-7-113)
Audit: free tuition and mandatory fees (60+ / totally disabled); credit: tuition and mandatory fees waived except a service fee (up to $70 per semester at TBR community colleges) for 65+ / totally disabledState of Tennessee (Tennessee Board of Regents and public universities; T.C.A. 49-7-113)
Apply any timeTennesseans 60+ (and totally disabled persons) can audit public-college courses free; those 65+ (and totally disabled persons) can take courses for credit for a service fee of up to $70 per semester at community colleges.
- Who it's for: Tennessee residents aged 60+ (audit) or 65+ (credit), or persons with a permanent, total disability
- What it takes: See how to apply
- For adults going back to school
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
Dependent Children Scholarship
Up to the cost of attendance, based on financial need and available fundsTennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Opens laterUp to full cost of attendance (need-based) for children of Tennessee law enforcement officers, firefighters or EMTs killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.
- Who it's for: Dependent child of a Tennessee law enforcement officer, firefighter or EMT killed or totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty
- What it takes: state application + FAFSA
- For students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: the FAFSA decides how much you get.
- Usual timing: Annual; application, documentation and FAFSA due September 1.
Checked against the official page October 5, 2026
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.