In addition to lightening the tuition load for many Tennesseefamilies, the HOPE scholarship is expected to increase the numberof students enrolling in the state's colleges and universities.
Although the scholarship is not scheduled to take affect untilnext fall, some colleges are seeing an increase in initialapplication numbers because incoming, in-state freshmen will beable to take advantage of the new scholarship, school officialssaid.
"Certainly students are going to have a difficult time giving upthat scholarship," said Judy Rayburn, director of admissions forThe University of Tennessee at Martin.
UT-Martin has reported a 20 percent hike in applications thisyear compared to the same period last year and is expecting thetrend to continue after the scholarship takes effect, schoolofficials said.
Enrollment at The University of Memphis has increased almost 6percent from last year, and school officials expect that number torise, too.
Parents of some U of M freshmen who will also be eligible forthe scholarship next year said they are looking forward to theextra money. Students who will be classified as juniors and seniorsin the fall of 2004 will not qualify for the scholarship.
"That will be a big break (for our daughter)," said Tom Harvey,parent of a U of M freshman. "I'm excited about it."
Tennessee instituted the lottery in February as a means ofincreasing the number of families who are able to send theirchildren to college. However, one of the primary requirements forthe scholarships is that they are used only at schools in thestate.
The U of M and other Tennessee state institutions are estimatedto see a 9 percent total increase in enrollment due to the HOPEscholarship set to begin next fall, according to the TennesseeHigher Education Commission.
Out-of-state universities like the University of Mississippi arelikely to see a decrease in the enrollment of freshmen studentsfrom Tennessee, school officials said.
This will be the second time a state scholarship program hasaffected enrollment at Ole Miss, said Beckett Howorth, director ofadmissions at Ole Miss.
When Louisiana instituted its Tuition Opportunity Program forStudents, a comprehensive merit-based scholarship much like theHOPE scholarships, Ole Miss eventually saw its enrollment ofstudents from Louisiana drop 40 percent, Howorth said.
"We anticipate a decrease," Howorth said. "It's almostinevitable."
But some out-of-state colleges, like Arkansas State, haven'tfelt the pinch, at least yet.
"It's too soon for us to know," said Gregory Gayle, associatedirector of admissions, but there could be a decrease, headded.
Although out-of-state institutions may be adversely affected bythe Hope scholarship, some Tennessee parents of eligible studentssaid they look forward to receiving the aid.
"It will provide a better education (for my son), and it willmake things much easier," said Marilyn Harris, mother of a freshmanU of M student.
| Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program | |
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Tennessee HOPE Scholarship —Offers $3,000 for four-years schools, $1,500 for two yearschools —For incoming freshmen, a 19 ACT or un-weighted 3.0 highschool GPA is required —For sophomores next fall, it requires having met enteringfreshmen criteria last fall plus a minimum 2.75 GPA and 24 credithours General Assembly Merit Scholarship —Adds $1,000 to the HOPE Scholarship —Requires un-weighted 3.75 GPA plus a minimum 29 ACT Need-Based Supplemental Award —Adds $1,000 to the HOPE Scholarship —Requires parent income of $36,000 or less —Students can't receive both the merit scholarship andthe need-based award |
Tennessee HOPE Access Grant
—Available to entering freshmen who do not meet theeligibility requirements for the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship —The student must have a 2.75 un-weighted overall and collegecore GPA with all required college core courses and 18 ACT (860SAT) and have parent income of $36,000 or less —This award is valued at $2,000 at a four-year institution or$1,250 at a two-year institution —The Tennessee HOPE Access Grant is non- renewable. Students receiving this grant may qualify for the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship in their second year of college Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant —Offers up to $1,200 or tuition and fees to students atTennessee Technology Centers |
