Frequently Asked Questions about the DREAM Scholarship

“How does MTSU calculate the DREAM Scholarship amount?”

We add tuition plus the additional $1000 per year to get the “target amount”, then subtract the amount of the lottery scholarship.  For example, a student with a lottery scholarship of $4000 for 2008-2009 received $2700 in DREAM Scholarship funds:

            2008-2009 tuition cost:        $5700

            Additional stipend:             + $1000

            Amt to be covered:               $6700

            Hope scholarship:               - $4000

            DREAM Schol amt:           $2700

A student with a lottery scholarship of $5500 for 2008-2009 received $1200 in DREAM Scholarship funds:

            2008-2009 tuition cost:        $5700

            Additional stipend:             + $1000

            Amt to be covered:               $6700

            Hope scholarship:               - $5500

            DREAM Schol amt:           $1200

One student’s scholarship amount may differ from another student’s amount because of differences in the lottery scholarship amount. Lottery scholarship amounts may vary, depending on the particular awards for which a student eligible.  The base scholarship, the Hope Scholarship, was $4000 in 2008-2009.  Some students qualified for an additional $1000 Merit Scholarship, and others qualified for an additional $1500 Aspire Supplement.  Therefore, a student may have received $4000, $5000, or $5500 in 2008-2009, depending on his or her eligibility status.

Click here for a chart that demonstrates how the DREAM Scholarship amount is determined.

“How does the student use the stipend to pay for books?”

The above amount includes the $1000 stipend, which will first be applied to the student’s MTSU charges, including tuition, dorm, and meal plan expenses.  If a credit remains after all charges are paid, the student will be eligible to receive a refund which may be used to pay for books, living expenses, or other educational costs.  (That is, students will generally only receive the $500 per semester as “book money” if they do not have any dorm and meal plan charges to be paid.)

“What if I receive the DREAM Scholarship but am not really eligible for the lottery scholarship?”

The DREAM Scholarship is a “partner scholarship”, awarded in conjunction with the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship.  If we determine at any time that a recipient does not meet initial or continuing eligibility requirements for the lottery scholarship, we will also be required to cancel the DREAM Scholarship.  (Please note that we will also be required to cancel the DREAM Scholarship if we determine that a student does not meet any of the DREAM requirements, such as EFC limits.)

“What does a recipient need to do to renew the scholarship for the next year?”

Each recipient will automatically receive the award again each year as long as he or she meets the renewal requirements: A student must remain eligible for the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship and must be enrolled in at least 12 hours each semester.  As long recipients meet these requirements, they will continue to be eligible for the DREAM Scholarship for up to 8 semesters.