Lottery scholarships explained by TSAC rep
Unlike the Hope Scholarship, which a student must apply for and use directly out of high school, the Tennessee Education Lottery’s Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant can be applied for and used by a person of any age — and at any time — in his or her life.
“That’s something that hasn’t been that well publicized,” Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation representative Courtney Dillard said of the grants that can be used at any Tennessee Technology Center. “All you need to have is a one-year Tennessee residency.”
Dillard addressed this and many other lottery scholarship topics last week at Warren County High School. Speaking to the senior class and a handful of parents, she gave a presentation detailing the different types of lottery scholarships available, and how to apply for them, followed by a question-and-answer session.
In addition to the specific GPA and ACT requirements needed to obtain the scholarships, Dillard informed those assembled that earning the scholarships, especially the Hope Scholarship, and keeping them are two separate things.
“For most of you, your first year of college will be your hardest. During the first year you have to maintain at least a 2.75 GPA and at least a 3.0 after that if you want to keep your Hope Scholarship. If you go below those you will lose the scholarship and not be able to get it back,” she told the students.
The students were also informed they can forget about using the Hope Scholarships to become professional students.
One can only use the Hope Scholarship, Dillard said, for a maximum of five years or up to the amount of credit hours needed to earn one’s degree, usually about 120.
Asked if there will be enough lottery money for all high school seniors to receive scholarships this fall, she said early lottery sales indicate there will be plenty of money for everyone. However, she encouraged those seniors and their parents who have not already done so to fill out and submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), through which the scholarship money is distributed, as soon as possible.
The official deadline is May 1, she said, but TSAC would like to get them in by mid-February.
For additional information on all state scholarships, including those made possible by the Tennessee Education Lottery, visit www.state.tn/tsac or call 1-800-741-1346.