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Tennessee Promise

Does Southern participate in the Tennessee Promise program?

Yes. Southern does receive TN Promise funding from the state for eligible students who are residents of Tennessee and are pursuing an Associate's degree. Remember that Tennessee Promise is a last-dollar award, meaning if the student is eligible for a Pell Grant, Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, and/or Tennessee Student Assistance Award, those will be awarded first. Students whose parents receive tuition assistance/educational subsidy, do not qualify for TN Promise.                

If a student attends a community college in Tennessee and then transitions to Southern, how would that affect the Tennessee Promise?

Students can transfer between eligible schools for Tennessee Promise and continue to receive the scholarship for their Associate's degree. 

Does Southern participate in the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship program?

Yes. Southern does receive TN HOPE Scholarship funding from the state for eligible students who are residents of Tennessee.  A student must have a minimum 3.0 high school GPA or a 21 ACT (1060 SAT) to receive the HOPE Scholarship. Freshmen and sophomore students will receive $4,500 per year and juniors and seniors will receive $5,700 per year. GPA and continuous enrollment criteria must be met in order to continue receiving the HOPE Scholarship.

Do homeschool students qualify for the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship?

Yes. Homeschool students from Tennessee must have a minimum 21 ACT score. If a 21 ACT is not achieved, students may qualify by completing at least two dual enrollment classes at an eligible postsecondary institution while enrolled in the home school program, totaling at least six semester hours and achieving a minimum 3.0 college GPA in each of the two dual enrollment courses and a cumulative college GPA of at least 3.0 in all dual enrollment courses attempted. 

Does Southern participate in the Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship? 

Yes. Master's students who meet the criteria for the Pathways Scholarship are encouraged to apply by visiting https://tn.gov/behavioral-health/scholarship.