III:07:07 Institutional Scholarships Policy

This policy establishes and defines the Honors, Academic Service, President’s Ambassadors, Adult Learners Peer Mentor, Pioneer Leader Program, Athletic, Career Technical Education (CTE) Scholarship, The Pioneer Scholarship, and Vol State New Horizon Scholarship awarded each year pending available funding to outstanding students who have achieved academic success.

Policy

I. Honors Scholarship

A graduating high school senior with a GPA of at least 3.5 (seventh semester) and an ACT composite score of 26, who has submitted a VSCC Foundation Scholarship application by the specified deadline, will be considered for an Honors Scholarship in the amount of $4,000 annually.

  1. Students must complete a VSCC Foundation Scholarship Application and submit all required documents.
  2. Entering freshmen must have at least a 3.5 high school GPA (seventh semester) and an ACT composite score of 26 or more.
  3. Students must pass a minimum of 15 hours each semester with a 3.2 semester grade point average to retain a scholarship.
  4. Scholarship students attending Summer School must maintain the overall average for their classification.
  5. Any semester in which the student does not meet the regulation in number 4 above, the scholarship will be automatically canceled.
  6. Students can receive this scholarship for only four (4) semesters

II. General Academic Service Scholarship

A graduating high school senior with a GPA of at least 3.0 (seventh semester) or a minimum ACT composite score of 21 or a minimum HiSet score equivalent to a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher, who has submitted a VSCC Foundation Scholarship application by the specified deadline, will be considered for an Academic Service Scholarship in the amount of $2,400 annually. The student in return agrees to a service obligation of 75 hours per semester.

  1. Students must complete a VSCC Foundation Scholarship Application and submit all required documents.
  2. Entering freshmen graduating from high school must have at least a 3.0 high school GPA (seventh semester) or an ACT composite score of 21 or higher. Entering freshmen who have obtained a high school credential through the HiSet testing program must have a minimum score which equates to at least a 3.0 high school GPA or higher. To retain the scholarship in subsequent semesters after the first semester awarded, students must be enrolled full-time and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  3. Any semester in which the student does not meet the regulation in number 2 above or the required service obligation, the scholarship will be automatically canceled.
  4. Service obligation to the College includes but is not limited to academic or co-curricular activities (i.e. study abroad, undergraduate research, service learning, Health Sciences clinical, practicum attached to coursework, or other approved institutional service).
  5. Students can receive this scholarship for only four (4) semesters.

III. President’s Ambassadors

The President’s Ambassadors represent the college at events both on and off campus and help with public relations. Students selected for the President’s Ambassadors scholarship program go through a rigorous vetting and interview process. The scholarship is a full tuition, last dollar award given by the Vol State Foundation accompanied by an institutional stipend in the amount of $2,000 for Fall and Spring semester each, $4,000 annually. Students are selected to serve a one-year term, completing 40 service hours per Fall and Spring semesters. Students are selected by the Foundation Office in conjunction with the Office of Marketing, Communications, and Media Services and will work with both offices as well as the President’s Office during their time as a President’s Ambassador. This scholarship cannot be combined with any other institutional scholarship. Students applying for the scholarship must meet or complete the following:

  1. Have earned a minimum of 12 college-level credit hours at Vol State with an overall 3.0 GPA.
  2. Part-time or Full-time enrollment at Vol State (6 credit hours minimum) during the Fall and Spring semesters of the scholarship being received.
  3. Remain in good academic and disciplinary standing with a minimum of a 3.0 overall GPA.
  4. Able and dedicated to meet the responsibilities of a President’s Ambassador.
  5. President’s Ambassadors must complete 40 service hours per semester. Expectations include but are not limited to; required training, communication with students, attendance at and assisting with various community and College events at off-campus locations in any portion of the Vol State service region, and assisting as needed, with on-campus events where community leaders or members are present.
  6. Complete the appropriate scholarship application and interview process.

IV. Pioneer Leader Program

Pioneer Leader scholarship recipients are selected by the Office of Admissions or respective Pioneer Leader Program coordinators at relative campus locations. The students selected must apply, meet qualifications, and successfully complete an interview. Pioneer Leaders represent the College at on-campus events and conduct campus tours. Students selected can be renewed through the duration of their program for which they are enrolled which includes the Summer semester as long as enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours. Students selected must complete a minimum of 30 service hours per semester. The scholarship covers all fees at the in-state rate and/or all fees not covered by any other form of aid, plus a stipend of $750 per semester for a total of $1,500 annually. This scholarship cannot be combined with any other institutional scholarship.

  1. Part-time or Full-time enrollment at Vol State (6 credit hours minimum) each Fall and Spring. Summer enrollment is optional, but the scholarship will be paid when enrolled for 6 credit hours minimum and completing the 30-hour service requirement.
  2. Remain in good academic and disciplinary standing with a minimum 2.5 overall GPA minimum
  3. Have earned a minimum of 12 college-level credit hours at Vol State with a 2.5 overall GPA.
  4. Able and dedicated to meet the responsibilities of a Pioneer Leader.
  5. Pioneer Leaders must complete 30 service hours per semester. Expectations include but are not limited to; required training, communication with students (per program requirements/needs), participation in team meetings (virtual with on-campus, if possible), assisting with recruitment events/initiatives (such as group/individual tours of the selected campus or new student orientation), and staying updated on student resources, etc.
  6. Complete the appropriate scholarship application and interview process.
  7. Renewable as long as the student maintains the requirements listed above and is confirmed each semester by the selection committee.

V. The Pioneer Scholarship (books and fees)

An entering or currently enrolled Vol State student, including dual enrolled students, may receive a Vol State Scholarship up to $750 per semester for fees and/or books (must be purchased in the Vol State Bookstore or an eBook) not covered by any other forms of federal, state, or institutional aid. The awarding of this scholarship will not result in a refund to the student.

  1. Students, excluding dual enrollment students, must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and subsequently possess an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)/Student Aid Index (SAI) providing a federal and/or state financial aid award not sufficient to pay for tuition and fees.
  2. Scholarship awards will be prorated based on student enrollment status (full-time or part-time).
  3. Health Sciences and Nursing-related fees will be considered on an individual program and student basis according to the individual student’s cost of attendance used in the financial aid awarding process.
  4. For dual-enrolled students, the student must complete the dual enrollment grant (DEG) application and be eligible for the DEG. This scholarship may pay for associated fees not covered by the dual enrollment grant.
  5. Entering freshmen must have an ACT Composite of 19 or higher or a high school GPA of 2.0 or higher (seventh semester) or have obtained a high school credential through HiSet testing with a score that equates to a high school GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  6. All currently enrolled students must be in good academic and financial aid standing with a 2.0 cumulative GPA minimum.

VI. Adult Learners Peer Mentors Scholarship

Peer Mentors are adult learners who apply, meet qualifications, successfully complete an interview, and are selected by a committee. The Pioneer Connections Peer Mentors selected are awarded the Adult Peer Mentor Scholarship (APMS) and must work a minimum of 45 hours per semester as a Peer Mentor and student leader. The scholarship is awarded at the beginning of each semester. It is for general educational expenses and is set up to be the last dollar, even after TN Reconnect is applied.

  1. Part-time or Full-time enrollment at Vol State (6 credit hr. minimum) each Fall/Spring
  2. Remain in good academic and disciplinary standing with a 2.5 GPA minimum
  3. Have completed two semesters (at least 12 credits earned) at Vol State OR currently in the second semester
  4. Able and dedicated to meet the responsibilities of a Pioneer Connections Peer Mentor
  5. Peer Mentors must complete work scholarship work hours. Expectations include but are not limited to required training, communication with Mentees (per program requirements/needs), participation in team meetings (virtual with on-campus, if possible), assisting with Mentee and Adult Learner events/initiatives, staying updated on student resources, etc.

VII. Career Technical Educational (CTE) Scholarship

High School Faculty and High School Counselors may nominate a graduating high school student who has demonstrated strong academic potential and is interested in completing a technical certificate or other career technical credential. Students who have not recently graduated from high school and are interested in returning to college to complete a technical certificate or other career technical credential may also apply. The scholarship will be up to $500 per semester for one academic year (fall and spring).

Students must meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Must have a current and complete Free Application for Federal Student Application (FAFSA) on file.
  2. Once the scholarship has been awarded, maintain good academic and financial aid standing.
  3. Must have a high school GPA (seventh semester) of 2.0 or above or an ACT Composite of at least 17.
  4. For students returning to college or initially enrolling after being out of high school for a period of time, a regular high school diploma or passing HiSet scores are required.
  5. Complete the institutional scholarship application process.

VIII. Volunteer State Athletic Scholarship

The athletic teams compete within the NJCAA and TCCAA rules. Student-athletes are selected to receive a Vol State Athletic Scholarship by coaches and the Athletic Department in consultation with the Office of Financial Aid. The scholarship could be up to the full amount of tuition and fees.

Student must meet all the following criteria:

  1. Must have a current and complete Free Application for Federal Student Application (FAFSA) on file.
  2. For international students on an F-1 Visa, must be fully admitted to Vol State.
  3. Possess and maintain good academic and financial aid standing.
  4. Sign a letter of intent and commit to participating on a Vol State team that is officially sanctioned by the NJCAA and TCCAA.
  5. Maintain eligibility to play according to NJCAA and TCCAA rules.

IX. Vol State New Horizon Scholarship

The Vol State New Horizon Scholarship will be awarded to returning and readmitted students who have not been enrolled for at least one semester, have completed 45 college-level hours minimum toward their selected academic program, and are in good academic and financial aid standing. The scholarship will be for one year and is not renewable. The amount of scholarship will be based on student need and awarded up to $500 per semester (fall and spring) or $1,000 annually.

Students must meet the following criteria:

  1. The student must be in Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing
  2. Must have at least a 2.0 GPA
  3. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and subsequently possess an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)/Student Aid Index (SAI) providing a federal or state financial aid award not sufficient to completely pay for tuition and fees.

X. Prospective Pioneer Scholarship

This scholarship is designed to support Vol State’s high school and community engagement efforts. These funds will be used to benefit prospective students and students not currently enrolled and provide financial support during their academic career at Vol State. This is a one-time scholarship of up to $500. The Office of Financial Aid may award this scholarship through its designees to prospective students.

  1. The scholarship must be redeemed within two years of the issue date.
  2. The student must be enrolled full-time in a credential-seeking program at the time of redemption.

 

TBR Source: TBR Meetings: December 8, l978; March l8, l983; September 30, l983; June 29, l984; June 29, l990; December 11, 1992; March 30, 2001; April 2, 2004; June 30, 2006; June 19, 2009; TBR Board Meeting September 25, 2009; December 8, 2011; TBR Board Meeting June 19, 2015; September 7, 2023 (ministerial changes)

VSCC Source: Former III:07:02, December 9, 1988, April 8, 1999, President; January 8, 2009, President's Cabinet; May 23, 2016 President’s Cabinet; September 26, 2016 President’s Cabinet; August 13, 2018 President’s Cabinet; January 29, 2019, President; July 11, 2023, President’s Cabinet; December 13, 2023, President’s Cabinet; March 13, 2024, President's Cabinet