What is the GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award?

The GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award is a supplementary award designed to provide GEAR UP TN students with the added financial incentive they might need to make the transition from high school to postsecondary education. The award may be used for the freshman academic year (summer included) at any regionally accredited institution of higher education in the state of Tennessee (those eligible to receive Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship awards). 

Who is eligible for the GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award?

Any 2010 or 2011 high school senior obtaining a regular diploma or a special education diploma from a public high school in a GEAR UP TN county is eligible to receive the GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award.  Qualifying 2010/2011 high school seniors must be a US citizen, under the age of 22, and a permanent resident of the state of Tennessee. The student must be enrolled as a full-time or at least half-time freshman at a regionally accredited college or university or be enrolled as a first-year student of postsecondary study at any Tennessee technology center by the beginning of the fall semester following the award of their high school diploma.  Half-time students must maintain no less than six hours. If a student drops below six hours at any time, he/she is no longer eligible for the award. Applicants must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

How does the GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive work?

The GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award is a one-time award designed to assist students in their first year of postsecondary education.  Award funds will be available to students on a last dollar basis, i.e. when all other federal and state financial aid is exhausted and a student has remaining need, the GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive will assist in covering that need. (Students who do not demonstrate financial need will receive the minimum award amount.) Award funds will be distributed directly to the recipient’s postsecondary institution upon the applicant’s verification of enrollment.

What is the GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award amount?  How many students will receive the incentive?

The minimum amount of funding available to Bridge Scholars is $750*.  All qualified applicants in the nine GEAR UP TN counties (Campbell, Cocke, Grundy, Hardeman, Johnson, Lake, Meigs, Union and Wayne) will be eligible to receive funding. Depending upon how many students access the award, additional funding might become available.  Additional funding will be awarded to students based upon need as determined by their Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). 

How do I apply for the GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award?

Applications for the GEAR UP TN Bridge Incentive Award will be available through high school counselors and/or the GEAR UP Coordinator for Wayne County: Gregg Lee (931-722-3548, gregg.lee@waynetn.net).  Look for these applications around April 1^st.

* Funding is contingent upon availability and eligibility as determined by the postsecondary institution.