Lottery scholarships increase importance of high ACT scores
With the advent of the Tennessee lottery, satisfactory performance on the ACT is necessary for any high school student wishing to earn a Hope Scholarship.
To help students achieve the minimum score of 19 needed to qualify for scholarship money, Motlow State Community College will soon be offering an ACT preparation course.
The five-week course is designed to prepare high school students for the four sections tested on the ACT assessment: English, math, reading, and science reasoning. Officials note that students will not be taught more in these subjects. Instead, students will be taught test-taking strategies, pacing techniques, how to use logic and how to review one’s work.
A preliminary diagnostic test will be given to all students at the beginning of class. Based on the results of these tests, students will work on areas, techniques and skills in which they need improvement.
The class, taught by Carla Keeler, is set to begin Feb. 26. It will meet Thursdays from 4:30 to 7 p.m. (except March 11) at Motlow’s McMinnville Center. The cost is $50 if paid before Feb. 19, and $55 if paid after that date.
If interested in learning more, call Motlow at 668-7010.
Tennessee Lottery Scholarship Program
Eligibility requirements (2004-05 school year)
• College freshmen (high school class of 2004) and college sophomores (class of 2003) who are Tennessee residents one year prior to application
• Enroll in a Tennessee college or university (public or private) accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
• Apply with the 2004-05 Free Application for Federal Student Aid starting Jan. 1 for each academic year (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Early application recommended
• Full-time enrollment (part-time is pro-rated) leading to a certificate in the Tennessee Technology Centers or degree in approved colleges and universities. Satisfactory academic progress required
• Award amounts based on funding from the state lottery
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
Award amount – $3,000 per year for four-year institution; $1,500 for two-year institution (no more than cost of attendance)
• Entering freshmen must have at least a 19 ACT or
• Overall unweighted 3.0 GPA and a college core unweighted 3.0 GPA and complete all college core and university tract courses (20 units required) or
• College sophomores must meet the HOPE Scholarship criteria above and 2.75 college cumulative GPA and 24 completed hours in first college year
• Home school graduates – 23 ACT (1060 SAT) or 525 GED and 19 ACT (890 SAT)
• GED applicants – 525 and 19 ACT (890 SAT)
Need-Based Supplemental Award
Award amount – $1,000 supplement to HOPE Scholarship
• Meet HOPE Scholarship requirements and
• Parent(s) adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less (for a dependent student) or
• Student (and spouse) adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less (for independent students)
HOPE Access Grant
Award amount – $2,000 for four-year institutions; $1,250 for two-year institutions
• Entering freshmen must have at least an unweighted 2.75 GPA and a college core unweighted 2.75 GPA and 18 ACT (860 SAT) and
• Complete all required college core courses and
• Parent(s) adjusted gross income of $36,000 or less for dependent student or student and spouse for independent student
• Grant non-renewable. Will be eligible for HOPE Scholarship by meeting HOPE Scholarship renewal criteria
General Assembly Merit Scholarship
Award amount – $1,000 supplement to Hope Scholarship
• Entering freshmen must have at least an unweighted 3.75 GPA and a college core unweighted 3.75 GPA and 29 ACT (1280 SAT) and
• Complete all required college core courses and university track courses (20 units required)
Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant
Award amount – $1,250 (no more than cost of attendance)
• Full-time enrollment in Tennessee Technology Centers (with part-time enrollment pro-rated)
• Cannot be prior recipient of HOPE Scholarship
HOPE Scholarship Renewed Criteria
Eligibility shall be reviewed at the end of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of 24,48, 72 or 96 semester hours
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 after 24 attempted semester hours
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 after 48, 72 or 96 attempted semester hours