Starting in the fall 2004 semester, some students who are currently enrolled as freshmen will be eligible to receive a Tennessee HOPE Scholarship worth $3,000 a year.
Zack Holt, a resident of Virginia and an environmental health major, thinks that it is a good idea to use lottery money to help fund a student’s education.
“Virginia should have lottery scholarships like Tennessee does so that kids in search of a brighter future can have a lucky chance,” he said.
Eligibility requirements include being a resident of Tennessee for at least one year and graduating from high school with both a college core and overall GPA of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0 or scoring at least a 19 on the ACT (equivalent to an 890 on the SAT).
In addition, students are required to have a cumulative college GPA of 2.75 and completion of at least 24 credit hours during the 2003-04 academic year.
Students from Tennessee think this opens doors financial aid.
“I think it is a good idea,” said Sarah Bissel.
“It opens up opportunities to people who otherwise might not have one.”
To apply, students should fill out the 2004-05 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the priority deadline of May 1.
This form can be found in the Financial Aid Office, which is located in room 105 of Burgin Dossett Hall, or online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Any applications received after this date will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis as funds become available.
To retain the scholarship, students are required to earn and maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA for the first year and a 3.0 for all following years.
Students are also required to attempt at least 24 credit hours each year to maintain their eligibility status.
If a student fails to apply for the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship this year, he or she will no longer be eligible for the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program.
Likewise, if at any time a student does not meet the eligibility requirements, he or she will lose the scholarship indefinitely.
“I think it is a great idea, because there are some people who are in the middle class that cannot get financial aid,.and this gives them a change to get money for their education,” said Abby Keck.

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