Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship
Offered by Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
About this scholarship
The Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship supports Tennessee students with intellectual disabilities who completed high school through an Individualized Education Program and enroll in an approved individualized postsecondary program. The scholarship uses the same award schedule as Tennessee HOPE: up to $2,250 per full-time semester for freshmen and sophomores and $2,850 for juniors and seniors at eligible four-year institutions, or up to $1,600 per semester at eligible two-year institutions. Total financial aid cannot exceed the institution's defined cost of education. Students and parents must submit the dedicated STEP UP form, and recipients must also complete the FAFSA for every academic year. Both applications are due September 1 for fall, March 1 for spring, and May 1 for summer. Eligible programs have the federal Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program designation and combine academics, career preparation, exploration, and independent-living support. The official list includes programs at public and private Tennessee institutions. To continue receiving the award, a student must remain continuously enrolled and make satisfactory progress as defined by the institution. Eligibility ends when the student earns the program credential or reaches the program's approved completion period.
Eligibility
- Be a Tennessee resident under Tennessee Board of Regents residency rules
- Complete a Tennessee high school under an Individualized Education Program
- Receive a qualifying diploma, occupational diploma or certificate, special education diploma, transition certificate, or IEP certificate
- Be admitted to and enroll in an approved eligible postsecondary program within 16 months after completing high school
- Complete the dedicated STEP UP Scholarship application each academic year
- Complete the FAFSA each academic year
- Submit both required applications by September 1 for fall enrollment
- Maintain continuous enrollment and satisfactory progress in the approved program