Closed
$1,000–$2,250
1 Award Winners
Application Open Date
3/1/2025
Application Deadline
9/1/2025
Eligible Grades
College Freshman
Explore Similar Scholarships

Tennessee HOPE Scholarship – Nontraditional

Funded by
Tennessee State Government
Closed
$1,000–$2,250
1 Award Winners
Scholarship Open Date
3/1/2025
Scholarship Close Date
9/1/2025
Eligible Grades
College Freshman
Explore Similar Scholarships

The Tennessee State Government provides the Nontraditional Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. Every year, the Tennessee State Government offers scholarships to adult Tennessee freshmen who have not been enrolled in any college in the U.S. for a minimum of two years from the date of last enrollment in any higher institution.

Additionally, the student will have to be enrolled at a recognized college or university in Tennessee. The scholarship body demands that applicants complete the Federal Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA).

Recipients of the award will receive from $1,000 to $2,850 depending on financial need and whether they are enrolled in two- or four-year degree programs. The amount of the scholarship covers a part of the recipient’s tuition.

Scholarship Summary

The Tennessee State Government provides the Nontraditional Tennessee HOPE Scholarship. Every year, the Tennessee State Government offers scholarships to adult Tennessee freshmen who have not been enrolled in any college in the U.S. for a minimum of two years from the date of last enrollment in any higher institution.

Additionally, the student will have to be enrolled at a recognized college or university in Tennessee. The scholarship body demands that applicants complete the Federal Application for Financial Aid (FAFSA).

Recipients of the award will receive from $1,000 to $2,850 depending on financial need and whether they are enrolled in two- or four-year degree programs. The amount of the scholarship covers a part of the recipient’s tuition.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Eligible Grade: College Freshman
  • Minimum Age: 25
  • Required GPA: 2.8
  • Geographic Eligibility: Tennessee
  • Gender: Any
  • Race/Ethnicity: Any

Key Information of Tennessee HOPE Scholarship – Nontraditional

Study Details

Area of Study

Any

Country of Study

United States

Specific Schools

Tennessee Education Lottery Program Institutions

Application Requirements

Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.

  • Financial Information

Tennessee HOPE Scholarship – Nontraditional Timeline

March 1

Application Opening Date

Applications open on March 1.

September 1

Submission Deadline

The submission deadline is on September 1.

How to ace the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship – Nontraditional

1

Show evidence of financial need

The scholarship committee demands that the adjusted gross income of the applicant and spouse or parents must not be higher than $36,000 on the IRS tax form. This means that you will have to upload current tax forms before submitting your application.

2

Do not hold a baccalaureate degree

The TN HOPE Scholarship is for older students who did not complete their higher education due to certain circumstances. If you are applying for the scholarship, you should not have obtained a degree before or your application will be rejected.

3

Ensure that absence is less than five years

Before applying for the scholarship, make sure that your break from college is not up to five years as a nontraditional student. Keep in mind that you will submit transcripts bearing your GPA as it will show your enrollment year and the year you stopped school. We advise that applicants do not exceed the two-year break from a recognized post-secondary institution.

4

Review your application thoroughly before submitting

Do not submit your application immediately after filling it out and uploading your tax forms. Take enough time to go through every aspect of your application to ensure no mistakes.

How the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship – Nontraditional is Judged

Applicants must be residents in Tennessee and be 25 years or older. They should also be entering first-year students without any previous college work or who have had a two-year break from college and are now returning and have not earned a baccalaureate degree. Candidates must be enrolled at an accredited higher institution in the fall and spring semesters and possess a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75. Additionally, the adjusted gross income of the applicant and spouse or parent must not be higher than $36,000 on the IRS tax form.

Why We Love the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship – Nontraditional

1

Non-discrimination policy

The Tennessee State Government offers the Nontraditional TN HOPE Scholarship without considering race, tribe, gender identity and sexual orientation, religion, and disability.

2

A second chance at education for adults

The scholarship is targeted at adults who took a two-year break from college. The scholarship program offers a second opportunity for these adults to continue from where they stopped their degree and complete it successfully.

3

Empowering low- and moderate-income families

By requiring applicants to have spouses or parents whose adjusted income is not more than $36,000, the Tennessee State Government is empowering people from low- and moderate-income families.

5 Facts About Nontraditional TN HOPE Scholarship

01.

Scholarship is sponsored by the state lottery

The Nontraditional TN HOPE Scholarship for adult students is established and funded from the net revenue of the Tennessee state lottery.

02.

The financial award is renewable

The scholarship is renewable only if the recipient holds a minimum CGPA of 3.0 at the end of the semester or holds a minimum CGPA of 2.75 - 2.99 and a semester GPA of at least 3.0 at the end of the semester.

03.

The scholarship captures summer enrollment

While most scholarship programs capture students enrolled in the fall and spring semesters, the TN HOPE Scholarship captures students who are enrolled in the summer.

04.

Postsecondary institutions determine the class status

The postsecondary institution, from which candidates last attended before taking a two-year break, determines their class status.

05.

Recipients ineligible for Merit and Aspire Awards

Winners of the Nontraditional TN HOPE Scholarship cannot apply to win the Aspire Award and/or the General Assembly Merit Award.