Aspire Award (HOPE supplement)
Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
Need-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.
- How much
- Up to $750 per semester (four-year) or up to $250 per semester (two-year), on top of HOPE
- Who qualifies
- Must meet Tennessee HOPE Scholarship requirements (21 ACT/1060 SAT or 3.0 GPA, etc.) AND parents' or independent student's and spouse's adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Apply any time FAFSA-driven; term deadlines September 1 (fall), March 1 (spring), May 1 (summer).
- How to apply
- Complete the FAFSA
- It applies you for both HOPE and the Aspire supplement
- What you'll need
- FAFSA only
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (collegefortn.org) and page 2
The details
The Aspire Award is a lottery-funded, need-based supplement to the HOPE Scholarship. Four-year institutions: up to $750 per semester on top of HOPE. Two-year institutions: up to $250 per semester. Students must meet all HOPE requirements and have parents' (or independent student's and spouse's) adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less on the IRS tax form. Ends with HOPE: at a bachelor's degree or five years after first enrollment.
More money from Tennessee
- Tennessee HOPE ScholarshipUp 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 Nontraditional HOPE ScholarshipUp to $2,250 per full-time semester (freshman/sophomore) and up to $2,850 per full-time semester (junior/senior), including summers
- Ned McWherter Scholars Program$6,000 per academic year ($3,000 state + $3,000 institutional match)
- Middle College Scholarship$2,000 per semester ($4,000 per year)
- 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 TCATs
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
We list programs; we don't decide who gets them. Always check the official page before you apply. Spot something wrong? Tell us.