Tennessee HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant

Scholarship Sponsored by FosterClub

Overview

The HOPE Foster Child Tuition Grant helps eligible foster youth in Tennessee cover college expenses. At public institutions it can pay full tuition and mandatory fees when other gift aid does not already cover those costs. For private Tennessee colleges the grant covers up to the average public in-state tuition and fees. The grant requires certification from the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) and is administered through TSAC.

Description: A state grant designed to reduce financial barriers to postsecondary enrollment for students who experienced state custody as teenagers.

• Available to foster youth who meet HOPE Scholarship rules and DCS certification.
• Covers full public tuition and fees if not already covered by gift aid.
• Limited support at private Tennessee institutions (capped at average public tuition).

Eligibility

Eligibility requires meeting the baseline HOPE Scholarship criteria and submitting official certification from DCS to TSAC. The DCS certification must confirm custody, adoption, or guardianship status related to state custody when you were 13 or older. Applicants must also meet the HOPE residency and academic standards (for example, GPA or test-score requirements) that apply to the HOPE Scholarship.

Eligibility: You must qualify for HOPE and have a DCS certification showing one of the approved custody or placement conditions.

1. You were in state custody at age 13 or older.
2. You were in state custody at age 13 or older and later adopted through DCS or a DCS partner agency.
3. You were in state custody and placed in permanent guardianship by DCS after turning 13.

• HOPE Scholarship qualification is a prerequisite.
• DCS must send official certification to TSAC.
• Only one of the listed custody conditions is required for certification.

Award value

The grant covers full tuition and mandatory fees at Tennessee public colleges and universities, provided other gift aid does not already cover those costs. Gift aid refers to scholarships and grants that do not require repayment; student loans and work-study are excluded. At private Tennessee institutions the grant is limited to the state’s average public tuition and fees, so the out-of-pocket gap may remain.

Award Value: Full public tuition/fees if uncovered by gift aid; capped at average public tuition for private institutions.

• Gift aid reduces or eliminates the grant at public schools.
• The grant does not replace loans or work-study programs.
• Private school awards are capped at the public average tuition amount.

Application timeline and duration

You must begin college within four years of high school graduation or earning a GED to receive the grant. Once enrolled, you must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by your institution to remain eligible. The grant may be received for up to six years from the date you first start college, subject to continued eligibility.

Application Timeline: Start within four years of graduation/GED and maintain academic progress; eligibility can continue for up to six years after initial enrollment.

• Begin postsecondary study within four years of graduation or GED.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress to keep the award.
• Maximum eligibility period is six years from first college enrollment.

Certification and next steps

To activate the grant, DCS must submit an official certification to TSAC confirming your qualifying status. If you are unsure how to obtain the DCS form or whether you meet the criteria, contact your school counselor, DCS, or TSAC for guidance. Keep documentation of your custody, adoption, or guardianship records and follow your institution’s financial aid procedures to ensure the grant is applied to your account.

How to Certify: Request a DCS certification and ensure it is sent to TSAC; consult a counselor or DCS if you need assistance.

• DCS must send the official certification directly to TSAC.
• Keep records of custody, adoption, or guardianship documentation.
• Contact a school counselor, DCS, or TSAC for help with the process.