Financial Aid and Scholarships

WHAT IS FINANCIAL AID & WHO CAN HELP?
Financial aid is money to help you pay for college. It can be in different forms and come from various sources. Our THEC Outreach Specialists are here to help you understand and apply for financial aid opportunities.

Learn more by clicking here.

Grants, scholarships, and student loans can all help you pay for your education. 

Here’s a breakdown of how student loans and grants vs. scholarships work, as well as some of their key differences.

Determine how much you need to earn to support the lifestyle you would like to have using this Lifestyle Calculator.

There is money available to help you pay for college. Most federal and state financial aid programs require you to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Filing the FAFSA is free! Need help? Check out resources here!

A list of resources to help you navigate the exciting journey of applying to college can be found here.

This useful online application platform for students applying to multiple 4-year universities (public and private). 

Common App

• Offers 2 years of tuition free community or technical college to high school graduates beginning with the Class of 2015.
• No GPA, ACT or income requirements
• Complete 8 hours of community service
• Students must apply online at tnpromise.gov by November 1.
• Attend mandatory meetings at local high school
• Complete FAFSA by March 1 (verify the date on the tnpromise website, because it has changed each year, the past 2 years)
• Apply for community college or Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) by spring.
• Once in the program, students must maintain a 2.0, complete 8 hours of community service before the start of each term enrolled and file the FAFSA by February 1 each year.

• Award Amount: $2,250 per semester (freshman/sophomore) and $2,850 per semester (junior and senior) for 4 year institutions; $1,600  each semester for 2 year inst.
• Students must have a minimum of a 21 ACT OR overall GPA of 3.0 unweighted.
• No income requirements
• Students must enroll within 16 months of high school graduation at an eligible institution.
• Must complete FAFSA in order to be considered for the HOPE Scholarship
• TN Hope Scholarship  

TN Scholars is a recognition Program that involves community business leaders helping motivate all students to complete a rigorous course of study that will prepare them for college and their careers.

• 80 hours of community service.  Community service is a service provided to the community for which you do not receive payment or compensation. The community service cannot be linked to a class that you received a grade for. 
• Medallion worn at graduation
• Gold seal on diploma
• Local, state & national recognition
• Note: 80 hours community service, NO out-of-school suspensions and 95% attendance is required
• Check out this website for Local Volunteer Opportunities.
• TN Scholar hours are accepted during all 4 years of high school.

Link to Database

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