Surge coming in HOPE scholarship funding
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – As families grapple with the cost of college, East Tennessee State University students will see a surge in their Tennessee HOPE (Lottery) Scholarship funding for the fall 2022 semester. In late April, the Tennessee State Legislature approved an $85 million increase in funding for the scholarship. Gov. Bill Lee recently signed the bill.
“This is wonderful news for our students,” said Dr. Sam Mayhew, associate vice president for Student Life and Enrollment at ETSU. “Students who receive the HOPE Scholarship have already put in tremendous work, and we are thrilled to see them receive additional funding.”
Am I eligible?
Students who graduate from a Tennessee high school who have a 21 on their ACT or a 1060 on their SAT, as well as a 3.0 GPA, are eligible. To maintain the scholarship, ETSU students must keep a solid GPA during their time at ETSU. Read more about maintaining the scholarship here.
Award amounts
For freshmen and sophomores, scholarship funding increases from $3,500 to $4,500 per
year. For juniors and seniors, the shift is $4,500 to $5,700. ETSU’s Board of Trustees
previously voted not to increase tuition and fees for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Deadlines
Planning to attend college this fall? Students who have not filed a 2022-2023 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (also known as the FAFSA) should do so as soon as possible.
“There are so many funding opportunities, including the HOPE scholarship, that will
not be available to you without a completed FAFSA,” said Catherine Morgan, director
of Financial Aid and Scholarships at ETSU. “We have trained staff who are ready to
assist you.”
If you have a question about your financial aid, reach out to a counselor. Find that
information at etsu.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships/counselors.php.
Filing the FAFSA after July 1 will likely result in a delay of your financial aid
funds, ETSU officials said.
Why it matters
“This increase in state scholarship funding, paired with our decision not to increase
tuition for the coming academic year, means ETSU is an incredibly affordable choice,”
said Mayhew.
For questions about the HOPE scholarship or financial aid, visit etsu.edu/financial-aid-and-scholarships.