GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award

The GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award is designed to encourage participation in postsecondary education and a broad college-going culture by providing key funding for the students’ first year. All GEAR UP TN 12^th grade students will be given the opportunity to participate in the GEAR UP TN Bridge Award. Eligible students must be 12^th grade students in each of the nine GEAR UP TN counties (Campbell, Cocke, Grundy, Hardeman, Johnson, Lake, Meigs, Union, and Wayne). 

 

To ensure eligibility to receive the award, students will be required to sign a contract indicating that they will graduate from a GEAR UP TN high school with a regular or special education diploma and that they will attend a Tennessee postsecondary institution. Students will qualify for the GEAR UP TN Bridge Award upon graduation from high school and enrollment in a Tennessee postsecondary institution. GEAR UP TN may add stipulations to the contract in future years. Students, parents and schools will be notified of any changes well in advance of contract and application deadlines.

 

The GEAR UP TN Bridge Award is a $750 one-time award available up to total cost of attendance for students on a last dollar basis, i.e. when all grants and scholarships have been exhausted and tuition obligations remain. Upon notification of the applicant’s enrollment, award funds will be distributed through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation directly to the recipient via their postsecondary institution. Qualified students will receive $375 per semester in their first year only.   The GEAR UP TN Bridge Award is funded entirely through federal funds awarded to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission as part of the GEAR UP TN grant.