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Overview

The Helping Heroes Grant is awarded to US veterans who were honorably discharged or who are a former or current member of a reserve or TN National Guard unit.

Award Information

The award amount is $1,000 per semester for a student who enrolls in 12 or more semester hours in an eligible program of study. The award amount is $500 per semester for enrollment in six to 11 semester hours.

Eligibility

To be eligible, the student must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Be an honorably discharged veteran of the United States, or a former or current member of a reserve or Tennessee National Guard unit who was called into active military service of the United States
  • Be a Tennessee resident.
  • Be awarded one or more of the following:
    • Iraq Campaign Medal
    • Afghanistan Campaign Medal
    • Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, on or after Sept. 11, 2001
    • Other qualifying medals as authorized by Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
  • Enroll at an eligible 2-year or 4-year postsecondary institution (Click Here for a listing.)
  • Have not earned a baccalaureate degree.
  • Not be in default on a federal Title IV educational loan or Tennessee educational loan.
  • Not owe a refund on a federal Title IV student financial aid program or a Tennessee student financial aid program.
  • Be in compliance with federal drug-free rules and laws for receiving financial assistance.
  • Not be incarcerated.
Application

Complete the application for a Helping Heroes Grant for each academic year. The application processing deadlines are: September 1 (or the following business day) for fall enrollment, February 1 (or the following business day) for spring, or May 1 (or the following business day) for summer enrollment. Please mail your DD-214 to the address below or fax it to the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation at (615) 741-6101.

Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
312 Rosa Parks Blvd, 9th Floor
Nashville, TN 37243

Continuation Requirements

Recipients must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as determined by the institution.

  • Grant may be awarded for a maximum of eight full semesters; 6-11 semester hours completed constitutes one-half semester
Termination Criteria

Eligibility terminates once the student has:

  • Received the award for the equivalent of eight full semesters;  or
  • Earned a baccalaureate degree, whichever comes first