Grants
Unlike a merit-based scholarship, grants are awarded either by the institution or by an outside organization based on the financial situation of you and your family.
A grant is a type of need-based aid that does not need to be repaid. You'll find a variety of grants offered by the federal government that are widely available, as well as grants specific to program of study and personal background.
Grants offered by Lipscomb
“Memorial” is the inclusive term for need-based aid at Lipscomb. Memorials are of two types: general and designated. A general memorial comes from the general funds of the university; the designated memorials consist of restricted scholarship funds set up in memory of individuals. All need-based aid is based fully on FAFSA results and are usually awarded according to those who apply first.
- Some memorials have definite instructions from contributors concerning those to whom the awards should be given. Others are available to any student with need.
- Memorials exist for majors in art, Bible (graduate and undergraduate), biology, business, chemistry, dietetics, English, Greek, history, journalism, consumer sciences, physical education, pre-med, pre-nursing, social work and speech, among others. A few memorials state donor preferences for recipients who are from specific geographic regions, for minorities or for those who participate in athletics.
View a complete list of memorial funds.
Lipscomb University offers scholarships to undergraduate students whose parent is employed full-time (self-employed/paid minister as defined by the IRS in Publication 517 and working at least 40 hours per week) in certain ministerial positions that are associated with the Church of Christ. Students must maintain a 2.0 cumulative Lipscomb GPA, live on campus each semester, enroll full time (12+ hours) each semester and file a FAFSA each year.
These awards are available to children who are less than 25 years of age and are considered dependent for federal income tax purposes. Married children are not eligible. Students must be seeking a first degree—second degree students are not eligible. These awards are subject to all GPA and probation restrictions as described in the Lipscomb Undergraduate Catalog and are available only for the customary duration of an academic program. The scholarships are available to children whose parents are employed in the following full-time roles:
- Church of Christ minister
- Church of Christ youth minister
- Church of Christ missionaries—must be living full time in a foreign country, working at least 40 hours per week
There are two scholarship levels: $11,000 per year (limited to 15 students; priority is given to students who have been admitted to the university and have submitted the Employment Verification form by March 1 each year) and $5,000 per year (awarded to all other students). These scholarships can be stacked with other gift aid, not to exceed the cost of full-tuition. If all gift aid exceeds full tuition, the grant will be reduced to meet the awarding rule.
Scholarships of $1,000 are awarded to students whose parent is employed full-time (40 hours per week) by a member school of the National Christian School Association (K-12). This grant is available to full-time undergraduate students who are less than 25 years old and who are considered dependent for federal income tax purposes. Married children are not eligible. Students must be seeking a first degree; second degree students are not eligible.
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0. This grant may be stacked with all other gift aid, not to exceed full tuition. If all gift aid exceeds full tuition, the grant will be reduced to meet the awarding rule. Children of Lipscomb employees are not eligible. Recipients of the Trustee Scholarship, National Merit Finalists/Semi-Finalist Scholarship, Lipscomb Academy Valedictorian Scholarship and athletes whose combined Lipscomb aid is full tuition and above are not eligible.
Students are required to enroll as a full-time student and file a FAFSA each academic year.
Application for NCSA (K-12) Scholarship
Parents, to verify that your employer is a member of the National Christian School Association, please visit the NCSA directory.
Students who have a parent working full-time (40 hours per week) at a member school of the National Christian School Association at the university level can receive a 50% tuition grant. This grant is available to students who are enrolled full-time in undergraduate studies, who are less than 25 years old, and who are considered dependent for federal income tax purposes. Married children are not eligible. Students must be seeking a first degree; second degree students are not eligible.
This grant is subject to GPA and probation restrictions as described in the undergraduate catalog. The grant, in combination with all other institutional aid, may not exceed 50% of tuition. The student account will be adjusted to meet the awarding rule. If institutional aid is higher, the student may choose to forfeit the grant. Children of Lipscomb employees are not eligible.The student must maintain a 2.0 GPA, live on campus each semester, be enrolled full time (12+ hours), file a FAFSA each year, and provide employment verification annually to the Financial Aid Office.
Application for NCSA University Scholarship
Parents, to verify that your employer is a member of the National Christian School Association, please visit the NCSA directory.
A Pell Grant is funded by the federal government and may only be awarded to undergraduate, degree-seeking students who have not already obtained a bachelor's degree.
The award amount is based on your financial need as determined by the FAFSA and enrollment status. Your award is adjusted based on number of hours enrolled if fewer than full-time, which is considered at least 12 hours.
The U.S. Department of Education guarantees that eligible students will receive their awarded amount. An otherwise eligible student can receive the Federal Pell Grant until the completion of a bachelor's degree or until the student has received the Federal Pell Grant for an equivalent of 12 full-time semesters. This limitation includes the percentage of Federal Pell Grant the student has received from all post-secondary institutions.
SEOG is a grant funded by the federal government for undergraduate, degree-seeking students with exceptional financial need. The amount of SEOG funds is limited. Priority is given to students who receive Federal Pell Grants and are in good academic standing. There is no guarantee that every eligible student will be able to receive a SEOG award.
The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) provides a need-based grant program for undergraduate students attending eligible Tennessee institutions. Recipients must be U.S. citizens, meet Tennessee residency requirements for state student aid, be enrolled in a degree-seeking program, and meet TSAC's need requirements based on the FAFSA.
Awards vary based on need and enrollment status. Funds are awarded on a "first-come-first-serve" basis.
Audience-Specific Grants
College of Education Students
Lipscomb University participates in the Federal TEACH Grant program. The Federal TEACH Grant is available to students who have been accepted into the College of Education at Lipscomb University. This is typically for undergraduate students at the end of their sophomore year or beginning of their junior year. For graduate students, the TEACH Grant is available for degree-seeking graduate education students.
Requirements:
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Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
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Have a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.25 from previous semesters OR score above the 75th percentile on a standardized admissions test (ACT, SAT, GRE, MAT).
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Qualifying based on the cumulative GPA requires that the student maintain at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA to receive the grant in multiple years.
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Qualifying based on the standardized test does not have a minimum GPA requirement per federal rule.
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Complete the initial Federal TEACH Grant Eligibility Form with the College of Education (undergraduate and graduate).
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Be accepted as a degree-seeking student into the College of Education.
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Be registered for at least six credit hours in a given semester.
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Complete and sign an Agreement to Serve with the Department of Education which states that you agree to teach full-time in a high-need subject (listed above) and in a Title I (high-need) school for a minimum of four years within eight years of graduation or leaving school (must be completed annually).
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Complete Federal TEACH Grant Entrance Counseling with the Department of Education (must be completed annually).
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Complete the Lipscomb University Financial Aid Office's documentation worksheet that acknowledges the responsibilities of this grant before the grant can be issued.
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Complete Federal TEACH Grant Exit Counseling prior to graduation or leaving school and at the end of your eligibility.
It is very important to understand that if you do not teach for four years in a high-need subject and in a Title I (high-need) school, the full amount of the Federal TEACH Grant will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan with interest backdated to the beginning of your program of study. This loan must be repaid.
For more information about the Federal TEACH Grant, visit the Department of Education's website. Or, view a list of eligible Title I schools.
Degree programs at Lipscomb University are approved by the state-approving agency for the training of veterans and eligible persons under laws administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Through an agreement with the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Lipscomb University will guarantee free tuition to undergraduate students who qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. The Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post- 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning (degree-granting institutions) in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses.
Check out our Veterans Services page for eligibility requirements and more information.