January Newsletter

Seniors are required to complete the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by 11:59 PM on April 15th in order to remain eligible for TN Promise.

FAFSA is the key to unlocking free federal financial aid to help pay for your education beyond high school. The application is also required for various types of state financial aid including the HOPE Scholarship and TN Promise. Students and parents can attend any of the FAFSA Frenzy events (listed below) or make an appointment with Abby Lyons for assistance filing the FAFSA.

Filing the FAFSA is free! It is an important step of your higher education journey and it might even mean free money to cover college costs. For Tennesseeans, it is also a requirement to be eligible for the TN Promise.

STEP 1: GET YOUR FSA ID READY

• A majority of you all have already created your FSA ID before Christmas break. If you have not completed this step, it must be done 10 days prior to filling out the FAFSA.
• A parent will also need an FSA ID.
• This ID will follow you through all of your college career.

STEP 2: COMPLETE THE FAFSA

• When you and your parent(s) are ready to complete the FAFSA, you will all need to have an FSA ID. Go back to step 1if you or your parent(s) have not completed an FSA ID.
• The FAFSA requires financial information so that the federal government knows whether or not your family is eligible for financial aid. Colleges and universities also look at these numbers to offer additional financial support and resources to help you succeed after you have been admitted.
• Your Advise TN College Advisor, Ms. Abby Lyons, will be an incredible support to you and your family as you go through this process. Mark your calendar for any of the upcoming FAFSA Frenzy events.
• You and your parent(s) will have to complete the FAFSA each academic year to receive financial aid from TN Promise, HOPE, the federal government, and your school so make sure that you know when and how to complete this form.

REVIEW THE FAFSA SUBMISSION SUMMARY

• After your FAFSA has been processed by the federal government and your future school, it is important to review all components of the FAFSA Submission Summary.
• Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is the dollar amount that the federal government believes your family can annually pay for college expenses. Your SAI will determine your eligibility for federal aid and some state grants.

Before we sit down to do the FAFSA, it is important that you take time to gather all of the information you will need. Use this checklist to make sure you have everything you need with you when you get ready to file the FAFSA.

Information:

• Your personal email address (not your high school email) and cell phone number
• Parents' email address and cell phone number
• If you are a Tennessee resident, the month and year you began living in Tennessee
• If your parents are Tennessee residents, the month and year your parents began living in Tennessee
• Your Social Security number
• Your parents' Social Security numbers
• Your parents' dates of birth
• The month and year your parents were married, divorced, separated or widowed
• The highest level of school your parents completed

Documents:

• All 2023 federal income tax forms (including W-2's/1099s/Schedules filed) for you and your parents
• Most current statements from all accounts (checking, savings, investments, etc.)
• Child support paid or received
• Value of investments, farms or business
• Other prior year benefits (workers comp, military, clergy, veteran amounts)

Contributors include: biological parents, step-parents, or adoptive parents. (Step-parent must be legally married to your biological or adoptive parent.)

Not a Contributor: Aunts/uncles, grandparents, someone who has custody of you that isn't a parent, etc.

Note: What is your contributor(s) did NOT file 2023 taxes? Your contributor(s) will need to create an FSA ID and give consent on the FAFSA form to confirm they are a non-filer.

If you did not have the chance to sign up for a Walters State Dual Enrollment spring class before Christmas break, we will be having a make-up day on January 8th from 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM. Ms. Abby will be in Ms. Kaylee's room (305) during this time to assist.

You must attend a Mandatory TN Promise Meeting to remain eligible for TN Promise scholarship. This meeting will take place on January 15th at 3:30 PM in the high school cafeteria.

• If you have a conflict with this date and you won't be able to make it, you must submit an excuse form. This form can be found here: https://www.tfaforms.com/5012496

• They will only accept the form if you have one of the following excuses: participating in a school-sanctioned event (athletic event/practice), death in the immediate family, personal illness, conflict with post-secondary class schedule, conflict with religious observance, personal or immediate family emergency, conflict with work schedule, or lack of transportation.

YOU are responsible for filling out this form and notifying TnAchieves BEFORE the mandatory meeting. Failure to do this, will result in you losing your TN Promise scholarship.

After submitting your excuse form, you will receive follow-up communication from tnAchieves via email. This communication will let you know whether your excuse has been approved and will outline the next steps. If your excuse is accepted, you will be required to view a mandatory webinar. This webinar will be sent to you via email on February 11th and you will be required to view the webinar by March 15th.

East Tennessee Foundation Scholarships- Multiple Scholarships/Amounts Varies

Opens: December 15th Deadline: March15th

The scholarship application must be completed and submitted online. Attached above is a copy of the online applicant tutorial. This application may ask for Letters of Recommendation. The letters are uploaded directly from the recommender. Most students will also need to upload a Student Aid Report (SAR). A Student Aid Report (SAR) is an electronic or paper document that summarizes the information you reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

https://easttennesseefoundation.org/students/apply-for-scholarships/

Austin Peay State University Institutional Scholarships- Amount Varies Deadline: FEBRUARY 1ST

All students who have been accepted to Austin Peay are encouraged to apply. You must create your account first.

https://www.apsu.edu/scholarships/

Carson Newman University Bonner Scholars- Amount Varies

Students admitted to the Bonner Scholars program at CNU receive a scholarship package in return for participating in an intensive program of community service and servant leadership development. Participants are called "Bonners" for short. They receive the following financial awards:

• $3,000 in service-based scholarship funds each year
• A need based grant for 100% of unmet financial need each year
• $3,000 living stipend at the beginning of each summers of service (this is awarded twice)
• $1,500 service awards at the end of each summer of service (this is awarded twice)
• $500 in professional development funds, awarded during senior year

Bonners also have access to the Community Fund Grant Program, a program that provides grants for student-led projects at non-profits. These grants have provided story books to children with learning disabilities, shelves for food banks, speech therapy tools for public schools, and furniture restoration supplies for non-profit thrift stores.

https://admissions.cn.edu/register/bonner2025

ETSU Institutional Scholarships- Amount Varies Deadline: MARCH 1ST

All students who have been accepted to ETSU are encouraged to apply. You must create your account first.

https://www.etsu.edu/university_scholarships/application/

Lincoln Memorial University Institutional Scholarships- Amount Varies Deadline: JANUARY 31ST

All students who have been accepted to LMU are encouraged to apply. You must create your account first. Once your account is created, you can access the application from the "Quick Links" tab. Select the "Annual and Endowed Scholarship Portal" option from that menu and log in using your LMU credentials.

MTSU Institutional Scholarships- Amount Varies Deadline: FEBRUARY 15TH

All students who have been accepted to MTSU are encourged to apply. You must create your account first.

https://mtsu.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/CMXAdmin/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=1276

Northeast State Community College Institutional Scholarships- Amount Varies Deadline: MARCH 1ST

All students who have been accepted to Northeast State Community College are encouraged to apply. You must create your account first.

https://lewis.northeaststate.edu/apply/scholarships/

Pellissippi State Community College Institutional Scholarships- Amount Varies

All students who have been accepted to Pellissippi are encouraged to apply. You must create your account first.

https://pstcc.academicworks.com/users/sign_in

TN Tech University Institutional Scholarship- Amount Varies Deadline: DECEMBER 15TH

All students who have been accepted to TN Technological University are encouraged to apply. You must create your account first.

https://www.tntech.edu/scholarships/index.php

University of TN Chattanooga Institutional Scholarships- Amount Varies Deadline: FEBRUARY 1ST

All students who have been accepted to UT Chattanooga are encouraged to apply. You must create your account first.

https://www.utc.edu/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs/financial-aid-and-scholarships/steps-apply

University of TN Martin Institutional Scholarships- Amount Varies Deadline: FEBRUARY 1ST

All students who have been accepted to UT Martin are encouraged to apply. You must create your account first.

https://utm.scholarships.ngwebsolutions.com/CMXAdmin/Cmx_Content.aspx?cpId=1212

Walters State Community College Scholarship- Amount Varies

All students are encouraged to apply after being admitted. Use your MYWS log in to apply.

https://ws.edu/cost-aid/types/scholarships/ws-scholarships/index.aspx

Live Mas Scholarship- $25,000 Deadline: January 8th

To be eligible you must be planning to enroll in an accredited post-secondary educational program (two or four- year colleges, university, vocational/technical schools). Must be willing to work with the Taco Bell Foundation's Scholarship Management Company throughout the application and award process. Must submit a 2 minute video that answers certain questions asked.

https://www.tacobellfoundation.org/live-mas-scholarship/eligibilityfaq/

FFA Scholarships-Amounts vary Deadline: January 9th

Whether you are pursuing a trade school, vocational certificate, a two-year, or four-year degree, don't miss your chance to apply for a National FFA Scholarship to help with your next steps in education.

https://www.ffa.org/participate/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/

DFA Cares Foundation Scholarship- $1,000 Deadline: January 10th

Applicant's future career plans, core values and potential for impact to the food and dairy industries demonstrated through response to 3 essay questions. Must list extracurricular activities, awards, recognitions and work experience. Also will need 2 letters of recommendation and a recent transcript.

https://fs12.formsite.com/cehresman/zywyfyelfb/index

Dolly Parton Songwriters Award- $20,000 Deadline: January 15th

The Dolly Parton Songwriters Award is an annual, nationwide competition open to aspiring songwriters. The awards can be used as a career grant for study, instrument purchase, recording costs, or other professional expenses and are not restricted to tuition costs. Founding endowments include a lead gift from Sony Music Publishing's Rusty Gaston as well as a contribution from country superstar Luke Combs. The revised program offers $20,000 for up to 2 of the best original song entries in any of the following genres: Americana, blues, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, country, folk or roots. See the link below to apply and for the rules and restrictions.

https://bmifoundation.org/by-application/dollypartonsongwritersaward

Mensa US Scholarship- $2,500 Deadline: January 15th

Must submit an essay of no more than 550 words explaining your career, academic and/or vocational goals.

https://www.mensafoundation.org/what-we-do/scholarships/us-scholarships/

Michelle Obama Award for Memoir- $10,000 Deadline: January 15th

This scholarship is open to current high school seniors who attend public school in the United States and are planning to attend an accredited institution in the fall. You must submit a memoir/personal essay of no more than ten pages in order to be considered for this award.

https://www.fastweb.com/student-news/articles/michelle-obama-scholarship-for-student-memoir-writers

DEWALT Trades Scholarship- $5,000 Deadline: January 16th

You must plan on enrolling full-time at an accredited two-year college or vocational/technical school for 2025-2026. You must also be going into a trade construction, industrial, motor/power sector, mechanics, or technology degree/certificate. Must also have a GPA of 2.0 or higher.

https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/dewalttrade/

Army ROTC Scholarships- $200,000 Deadline: January 20th

Scholarships and other monetary support are available to help with costs when you join Army Reserves Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). Focus on your education and graduate into a secure path as an Army Officer- and with less debt for the school years your scholarship covers. Receive monthly help to offset living and book costs. All ROTC scholarships include an extra $420 each month throughout the school year for expenses like housing, along with $1,200 each year to spend on books. Your acceptance of the ROTC scholarship means a future service obligation of 8 years in the Army, with requirements for active duty and/or the Army Reserve or Army National Guard depending on the scholarship. You may be eligible to serve part time in the Army Reserve or National Guard while pursuing a civilian career immediately after graduation. Scholarship recipients who wish to exit the ROTC program may do so after their freshman year of college without any obligation. You must have a high school GPA of at least 2.5, have taken the ACT and the Army Combat Fitness Test, and meet the physical weight and height requirments.

Nursing students can apply for an Army ROTC scholarship by following the directions above. Being a nurse in the Army provides you with opportunities not found in the civilian world, including a 3 week paid Nurse Summer Training Program, which introduces students to the Army Medical Department and the roles and responsibilities of an Army Nurse Corps Officer.

https://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/find-your-path/army-officers/rotc/scholarships

Army Women's Foundation Scholarship- $3,000 Deadline: January 21st

The Army Women's Foundation recognizes the importance of education and the role it plays in personal, professional, and economic fulfillment. This program provides grants to women soldiers, past and present, and their lineal descendants to help them attain their educational goals. The program offers supports in four areas: Certificate Programs, Community College coursework, Undergraduate Degrees, and Graduate Degrees. Scholarships are based on merit, academic potential, personal essay, community service, letters of recommendation and financial need. For the Certificate Program, applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA and must be accepted into an accredited certificate granting institution. For the Community College program, applicants must at least have a 2.5 GPA and must be accepted into an accredited community college. For the Undergraduate Program, applicant must be accepted into an accredited college or university and have completed 30 credit hours of coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or highers. Credit hours must be completed prior to application deadline.

https://www.awfdn.org/scholarships/general-information/

Breanna Coleman Memorial Nursing Scholarship- $5,000 Deadline: January 24th

Any high school senior who will be a first-generation college student pursuing a four-year degree in nursing may apply for this scholarship if they have volunteering and extracurricular involvement. Must create a Bold.org account.

https://studentscholarships.org/scholarship/27824/breanna-coleman-memorial-nursing-scholarship

Melvin Kruger Endowed Scholarship- $5,000 Deadline: January 30th

Student must be a graduating senior and have a relative that is employed in the roofing industry.

https://roofingalliance.net/education-research/scholarship/

Jet Future Business Leaders Scholarship- $1,000 Deadline: January 31st

Share a personal story (250-500 words) of how you overcame a major life challenge or obstacle and what lessons you learned that prepared you for college and beyond. How will these experiences provide you with a unique perspective in pursuing a career in business?

https://jetsurety.com/scholarship

Sally Mae Scholarship- $2,000 Deadline: January 31st

Must be a high school senior planning to enroll in a post-secondary institution and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

https://www.salliemae.com/scholarships/2k-scholarship/?dtd_cell=SMPLSODCZPPSOTOTOTHOTHRN010000&utm_source=studentscholarships&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=acq1p_ss_s_u_u_sch_u_u&utm_content=app

Society of Manufactoring Engineers Scholarship- Awards Vary Deadline: Feburary 1st

Must be a senior with a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Must be pursuing a degree in manufactoring, engineering, or something related.

https://www.smeef.org/sme-education-foundation-scholarships/scholarship-opportunities/

Modern Woodman Scholarship- Amount Varies Deadline: February 3rd

Must be a Modern Woodman member, covered by Modern Woodman life insurance or an annuity of of at least one year. Must have 40 hours of volunteer experience in the previous 2 years. Have a minimum of 3.5 GPA (Track 1) or 2.5 GPA (Track 2) and plan to attend an accredited two or four year college/university or a trade/vocational/technical school for the upcoming fall.

https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/modernwoodmenscholarship/

Modern Woodman Continuing Education Grant- $2,500 Deadline: February 3rd

High school graduates of all ages can apply for a $2,500 grant to help with their education cost. Up to 50 grants are awarded to qualified members on a first come, first served basis. The grant is open to all high school graduates - no matter their age- who want to continue their education including: current college students, those who took a gap year (or more) after high school, and adults wanting to go back to school, obtain a master's degree or earn a designation.

https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/modernwoodmengrant/

UT- Chattanooga Westbrook Scholarship Program- $14,000 Deadline: February 16th

The Department of Chemistry and Physics at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga announces this scholarship program which will award $14,000 (over 4 years) to as many as 7 entering freshmen majoring in Chemistry or Physics. Once awarded these scholarships they are automatically renewed provided that the student meets specific academic requirements. Student must have completed a course in high school chemistry or physics with an A or B, must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, have an ACT composite score of 26 or higher and must declare chemistry or physics as their major. A separate "Application for Admission" to the university must be submitted directly to the Office of Admissions at UTC by February 1st. The completed Westbrook application (submitted online) and 2 letters of recommendation (emailed) are due by February 16th. Announcement of the awards will be made in middle to late April.

https://www.utc.edu/arts-and-sciences/chemistry-and-physics/department-of-chemistry-and-physics-scholarships/westbrook-scholarship

KFC Foundation Scholarships- $20,000 Deadline: February 17th

You must be an employee at a KFC restaurant participating in the scholarship donation program. Must be enrolling in an accredited trade school or college in Fall 2025. If applying for the $2,500 or $5,000 scholarship, you must have a 2.5 GPA or higher. If applying for the $10,000 or $20,000 scholarship, you must have a 3.5 GPA or higher.

https://kfcfoundation.org/scholarships/

Connex Foundation Scholarship- $5,000 Deadline: March 10th

The Connex Foundation awards scholarship to individuals pursuing careers in the skilled trades (electrical, plumbing, welding, HVAC, carpentry), construction and/or facility management industry. Must have a 2.5 GPA or higher and have a history of active involvement in extra-curricular activities, community service, or work experience.

https://www.connexfoundation.org/scholarship-opportunities/

Heavy Equiptment Parts Express Scholarship- $500 Deadline: April 1st

Must fill out the application and submit an answer to the essay question, which can be found on the application page.

https://excavatorpartscalifornia.com/dozer

Citizens Bank Scholarship- Varies

Fill out the form and submit. Your entry will carry over month to month, but if you want to increase your chances of winning during the sweepstakes period, you can enter up to once a month.

https://www.citizensbank.com/student-loans/scholarship.aspx?authuser=0

https://tengelaw.com/scholarship/

Employment BOOST College Scholarship- $1,000 Deadline: Rolling Basis

Must have a 3.6 GPA or higher. Must include a college acceptance letter, one letter of reference, and submit a short essay. Essay topic is dependent on type of major you plan on pursuing.

https://employmentboost.com/scholarship/

College for TN: https://www.collegefortn.org/

College for TN is a free one-stop resource for college and career information in the state of Tennessee.

Big Future: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/

Big Future is a free online resource that can help you plan for college, scholarships, and explore careers. Plus, when you complete steps, you can earn the chance to win $40,000 scholarships.

Bold: https://bold.org

Bold allows you to search for scholarships

Cappax: www.cappax.com/scholarships

Cappax allows you to search for scholarships and more.

Fastweb: https://www.fastweb.com/

Fastweb allows you to search for scholarships, internships, and more.

UNIGO: https://www.unigo.com/

UNIGO has multiple ways to search for scholarships and explore various colleges.

Become: https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/

Interactive guide that helps you learn about career paths associated with various careers and understand what it takes to get the career by picking the college/classes to climbing the company ladder.