Hope Scholarships, Timing Critical

Hitting some Tennessee students in the pocket book this semester

Some Tennessee college students that are the recipients of the Hope scholarship may find themselves in a financial bind. Students that were awarded the Hope Scholarship in the Fall of 2009 or after have an expiration date on the funds. Prior to 2009, the Hope Scholarship was available to Tennessee students who met the criteria for five (5) years from initial enrollment in a postsecondary institution or until the student graduated, whichever came first. Those students who received the Hope Scholarship in or after the Fall of 2009 have the additional caveat of completing their degree in 120 attempted semester hours, though some exceptions are given for students who are in programs that require more than 120 hours to graduate. In certain instances, the hour allotment is extended to up to 136 attempted hours in a program that requires those additional hours for graduation.

The criterion is hitting some Tennessee students in the pocket book this semester and even more are likely to feel the bite next Fall. Beyond the requirement to receive the Hope Scholarship, student recipients must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted semester hours and a 3.0 cumulative grade point average after 72 and 96 attempted semester hours. If the student is in a program that requires more than 120 hours to graduation, but less than 136 hours to graduation, then the student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 after 120 attempted semester hours. Those students that fall below the 3.0 minimum grade point average after 72 and 96 attempted semester hours but have a 3.0 semester grade point average at the end of those semesters will be allowed to retain their scholarship on a semester to semester basis. Students that fall short of the grade point average minimum and lose Hope scholarship eligibility can regain the award if they meet the grade point average minimum, however they can only lose and regain the award one time in their academic career.

The question of semester hours is now becoming relevant because students that received their award in Fall of 2009 should be close to the 120 attempted semester hour mark. Locally, Carson-Newman College students are a part of the group that have semester hour extension beyond the 120 attempted semester hours, as it requires 128 hours for graduation, however the impact is same. A small number of students will lose their Hope Scholarship this semester, however, the impact will be much larger next semester. Tennessee Colleges and Universities are stressing the importance of maintaining a graduation plan and staying on track so that students do not exceed the bounds of the Hope Scholarship and find themselves looking for other funds. The Hope Scholarship is funded through lottery dollars and around 70,000 Tennessee students received the Hope Scholarship in the 2011-2012 academic year.

Source: K. Depew, News Director