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| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Award Name | Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant |
| Host Sponsor / Organization | Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) / State of Tennessee |
| Eligible Nationalities | US Citizens & Permanent Residents (Tennessee Residents) |
| Target Student Level | High School Senior / Undergraduate |
| Financial Coverage | Last-dollar grant covering remaining tuition and mandatory fees (after applying standard HOPE funding and federal aid) |
| Minimum GPA Requirement | 3.0 unweighted GPA (or 21 ACT / 1060 SAT under base HOPE requirements) |
| Application Deadline | September 1 (Fall) / March 1 (Spring) / May 1 (Summer) |
| Official Website | collegefortn.org/tennessee-hope-foster-child-tuition-grant |
Overview & Value
The Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant is a state-funded financial assistance program designed to assist former foster youth in pursuing postsecondary education. Administered by TSAC, the grant builds directly on top of the base Tennessee HOPE Scholarship to reduce out-of-pocket costs for college.
Functioning as a supplemental, last-dollar tuition grant, the program covers the remaining balance of tuition and mandatory institutional fees at public postsecondary schools in Tennessee once standard HOPE funds and federal pell or state grants are applied. For eligible private institutions in Tennessee, the award pays up to the statewide average public tuition rate, ensuring former foster youth can obtain an undergraduate degree without taking on significant debt.
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Nationality & Residency Requirements
Applicants must satisfy legal status, state residency, and child welfare custody conditions:
- State Residency: Candidates must be classified as legal Tennessee residents for at least one full year prior to enrollment. Access Scholarships
- Citizenship & Legal Status: Applicants must fulfill US citizen requirements or hold permanent resident status (Green Card) in the United States.
- Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant international student requirements: Non-immigrant foreign visa holders (such as F-1 or J-1 international students) are ineligible, as funding is reserved for Tennessee residents who were in the state’s custody. Access Scholarships
- DCS Custody Requirement: The student must have been in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) at any time after reaching 13 years of age. College for TN
Academic & GPA Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must satisfy standard HOPE baseline academic credentials alongside state timeline rules:
- Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant eligibility for undergraduate students: Open to graduating high school seniors and incoming undergraduate students who enroll at an eligible Tennessee postsecondary institution within four years of high school graduation. College for TN
- Baseline HOPE Credentials: Applicants must meet standard high school Tennessee HOPE criteria: earning a minimum cumulative unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 OR obtaining a minimum composite score of 21 on the ACT (or 1060 SAT). College for TN
- Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant GPA requirement: Incoming freshmen must meet the base HOPE threshold (3.0 GPA or 21 ACT). College Xpress
- Distinction / Application Quirk: While standard HOPE Scholarship recipients have a strict 5-year post-high-school clock to exhaust their funds, the Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant renewal requirements extend eligibility up to six years (72 months) from the date of initial college enrollment. To maintain renewal eligibility across academic terms, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and meet the continuing HOPE college GPA benchmarks (maintaining a 2.75 cumulative college GPA at 24 attempted credit hours, and a 3.0 cumulative college GPA at 48, 72, and 96 credit hours). College for TN+ 1
Application Materials Needed
To submit a complete application packet, candidates must coordinate with TSAC and the Department of Children’s Services:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Submitted online for the current academic year, listing your eligible Tennessee college or university.
- Official DCS Certification: Official verification form issued by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) confirming eligible state custody history after age 13.
- Official Transcripts & Test Scores: High school academic transcripts verifying GPA or verified ACT/SAT score reports sent to your college financial aid office.
- Institutional Admissions: Verification of enrollment or admission to an eligible postsecondary institution in Tennessee. College for TN
Step-by-Step How to Apply
Follow these steps to submit your application prior to the Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant application deadline:
- Confirm DCS Custody Verification: Contact your DCS caseworker or the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services to request official certification of state custody after age 13. College for TN
- File the FAFSA: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online early to establish general state and federal aid eligibility.
- Apply to an Eligible Tennessee Institution: Enroll at an eligible public university, community college, technical college, or private 4-year school in Tennessee. College for TN
- Submit DCS Verification to THEC/TSAC: Ensure your official DCS certification is submitted directly to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC/TSAC) financial aid division.
- Observe Annual Cutoffs: Confirm that your FAFSA and custody documentation are processed prior to September 1 for fall terms, March 1 for spring terms, or May 1 for summer terms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students apply for the Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant?
No, international students studying under non-immigrant visas (F-1/J-1) are not eligible. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents who established Tennessee residency and were in the custody of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services.
Is the Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant renewable for all 4 years of undergraduate study?
Yes, recipients can renew the grant for up to 6 years (72 months) from their initial college enrollment date. To stay eligible, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and meet standard continuing HOPE college GPA thresholds (2.75 GPA at 24 hours; 3.0 GPA at 48+ hours).
What is the minimum GPA required to qualify for the Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant?
High school applicants must meet standard HOPE requirements: a 3.0 unweighted high school GPA or a composite ACT score of 21 (or 1060 SAT). Continuing college students must maintain a 2.75 to 3.0 college GPA depending on attempted credit hours.
For more local grants, merit awards, and regional funding across all 50 states, check out our master USA State Scholarships Directory.
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