Lottery Appeals/Leave of Absence Requests

The HOPE Lottery Scholarship is awarded based on policies set forth by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC). TSAC’s policy allows an appeal process for students who fail to meet continuing eligibility requirements, except for TELS GPA. A student may also be granted medical or personal leaves of absence from attendance at an eligible postsecondary institution and resume receiving an award(s) upon resumption of the student’s attendance at an eligible postsecondary institution so long as all other applicable eligibility criteria are met.

Lottery Scholarship Terminating Events

Beginning Fall 2021

All attempted hours after high school graduation, including remedial and developmental studies courses are included in the total attempted semester hours.  

A student may receive the HOPE Scholarship until the first of the following terminating events: 

• Student has earned a baccalaureate degree; or
• Five (5) years have passed from the date of initial enrollment at any postsecondary institution

Students may appeal due to the following:

• A change of enrollment status
• Withdrawal from the university due to extenuating medical or personal circumstances
• Failure to meet timely or continuous enrollment standards, if extenuating circumstances prevented the student from enrolling within 16 months of graduation from high school or from continuous enrollment
• Military withdrawal

The process does not allow appeals for the following reasons

• GPA requirements for both initial and continuing eligibility
• Score requirements for ACT, SAT, and GED tests
• Limit on attempted hours or years of enrollment
• Income limit for a need-based supplemental award
• Residency status

To file an appeal, a student should submit the Lottery Scholarship Appeal/Leave of Absence Request Form to the Office of Student Financial Aid & Veteran's Education Benefits as soon as possible. Please follow all of the instructions carefully. If the initial appeal is denied, the student may file a new appeal to the TSAC HOPE Lottery Scholarship Award Appeal Panel at the following address:

Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship
404 James Robertson Parkway
Suite 1950, Parkway Towers
Nashville, TN 37243-0820

Further Information pertaining to appealing your loss through TSAC may be reviewed here.