Helping Heroes Grant
Tennessee Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation (THEC/TSAC)
$1,000 per semester (full-time) or $500 (part-time) for Tennessee veterans and Guard/reserve members who received a qualifying campaign medal.
- How much
- $1,000 per semester (12+ hours) or $500 per semester (6-11 hours)
- Who qualifies
- Veterans and current/former reserve or Tennessee National Guard members with a qualifying campaign medal (Iraq, Afghanistan, GWOT Expeditionary, Inherent Resolve)
- Tennessee resident; enrolled at an eligible two- or four-year institution; no bachelor's degree; not in default on a Title IV or TN loan and no grant overpayment; drug-free compliance; not incarcerated.
- For undergrads, adults going back to school, students starting college
- When to apply
- Apply any time Annual application; processing deadlines September 1 (fall), March 1 (spring), May 1 (summer), or the next business day.
- How to apply
- Submit the Helping Heroes application in the THEC Student Portal each academic year and mail or fax your DD-214 to THEC (312 Rosa Parks Blvd, 9th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243
- Fax 615-741-6101)
- What you'll need
- state application
- Last checked
- October 5, 2026, against the official page (collegefortn.org)
The details
Lottery-funded grant for honorably discharged U.S. veterans, or former or current reserve or Tennessee National Guard members called into active federal service, who received the Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (on or after Sept. 11, 2001), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, or another medal THEC authorizes. $1,000 per semester for 12 or more hours; $500 per semester for 6-11 hours. Up to eight full semesters (a 6-11 hour semester counts as a half), ending at a bachelor's degree. Requires satisfactory academic progress.
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
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