Can I go part time or full time?

Students are required to enroll and attend at least half-time as of institutional census in each to quarter to receive an award. Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis due to extenuating circumstances. Students may enroll in mid-quarter classes to satisfy enrollment.

Can I take a quarter off and keep it?

Continuous enrollment is required in the fall, winter, and spring quarters of an academic year. Enrollment in summer semester is optional and is not required. Failing to meet the continuous enrollment will require an appeal to retain the scholarship.

Can I still get the TNR if I lost it previously?

To regain eligibility after losing the scholarship, for reasons other than the GPA, requires an appeal approval. The failure to receive the required GPA at the end of an academic year is not appealable and results in permanent loss of the scholarship.

Can I only use it for AS degree programs, or also for CERTS and BS degree programs?

Programs eligible for the Tennessee Reconnect include diplomas, certificates and AS degrees. BS degrees are not eligible.

How long do I have to live here to get it/Do I need to be a Resident of TN?

Students must be a Tennessee resident one year preceding the date of the application.

If I went to college a long time ago, am I eligible?

Any student that has not reached a terminating event for the TNR is eligible to apply. Terminating events include receiving an associate degree or certificate. Five years have passed since the date of initial enrollment as a Tennessee Reconnect Grant’s student, exclusive of any approved leave of absence.

How much will TNR cover?

Tennessee Reconnect is a last dollar scholarship. The amount of the award is based on the maximum award for the hours scheduled, minus any gift aid. Gift aid is defined as Pell Grant, State to f Grant (TSAA), and Hope scholarship. SEOG is not included as gift aid.

And just in general a lot of people believe TNR works like TNP and will cover all their tuition and get confused.

TNR and TNP do have very similar requirements. TNP is designed to fund recent Tennessee HS graduates, whereas the TNR is designed to fund independent students who wish to pursue a college degree well beyond HS graduation. The misconception that all tuition is covered relates to how the program was marketed to address community colleges. The programs were initially designed with the perception that students could receive 2-years of education tuition free. Therefore, the tuition and fee schedules were geared toward cost at a community college. It is the position of the state that to attend a private college is the choice of the student, but the rules and fees remain in place as originally written to cover tuition at a community college for a 2-year degree.

Am I eligible if I already have a CERT or a diploma? (not an associates or bachelors)

A student may continue to receive a Tennessee Reconnect Grant for an associate degree or sequential certificate following completion of a certificate that directly leads to the associate degree or certificate program. However, there cannot be a break in enrollment between receipt of the certificate and enrollment in the associates. Any break in enrollment would require an appeal.

Do I have to reapply every quarter?

Students are required to complete the TNR application and Success Plan each year. Students must also submit a FAFSA annually by the established deadlines: September 1 for fall enrollment. February 1 for spring and summer.

Tennessee Reconnect

A last-dollar scholarship for adults to earn an associate degree or technical certificate

The South College Reconnect Grant available to Tennessee Reconnect eligible students is offered to provide additional financial assistance and minimize our South College student debt. Our 19 eligible programs are designed to help you make an immediate impact in the career you’ve chosen as you enter the workforce.

What is Tennessee Reconnect?

Tennessee Reconnect was developed to give those who did not complete college after high school an opportunity to reach their goal of a college degree.

As a last-dollar scholarship, Tennessee Reconnect will provide whatever amount remains after your Pell, HOPE, TSAA, and other financial aid funds are applied, up to $4,200. You will want to investigate all your additional financial aid options including:

Federal Pell Grants
TN Hope Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students
Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA)
VA Benefits
Employer Tuition Reimbursement Programs

South College is honored to participate in the Tennessee Reconnect program. Our financial aid advisors can answer any questions you have regarding the benefits and availability of funding for this program and our other financial aid options.

We welcome you to South College. If you want a school where the degrees are focused on careers that are growing and the services are focused on assisting you to get there, South College is the place for you.

Who is Eligible?

In keeping with the intent of the Tennessee Promise Scholarship (TNP) that a graduate from a TN high school should be able to receive 2-years of college free of tuition it was the decision of the college President that South College would honor this intention by developing the in-house South College Opportunity Grant (SCOG). The SCOG grant to be awarded to eligible Tennessee Promise students to cover tuition balances remaining after all gift aid and or Tennessee Promise funds were applied. Books and fees are excluded from the SCOG grant.

Regarding the Tennessee Reconnect Scholarship (TNR) due to the nature and population of eligible students the scholarship is considered as a fund source in the financial aid package. The college has also established the in-house South College Reconnect Grant (SCRG) that is awarded to eligible TNR students. The SCRG is a preset amount awarded each term in the amount preset according to the enrollment status. Any remaining balances after gift aid, TNR and SCRG funds are applied to the account are the responsibility of the student.

Apply for Tennessee Reconnect and work towards your dreams at South College with these simple steps!

Step 1: Visit: https://clipslink.tsac.tn.gov/studentsignon/ and create an account. You can start your application at any time!

Create a login account with the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) by clicking “Create a Login”.
Complete the form
Once finished, click “Create My Account”
After creating your account, log in by clicking “Click here to log in to your account and apply online”
Agree to the User Agreement
Inside the TSAC Student Portal, choose “Apply for Scholarships”
- Select Tennessee Reconnect Scholarship Application
- Complete the application and Click Apply
- You will be directed to an Application Confirmation Page

TSAC and your Tennessee Reconnect Community will be working with you throughout the Tennessee Reconnect grant process. You can update your application and check your eligibility for the grant by visiting the Student Portal and logging in at https://clipslink.tsac.tn.gov/studentsignon/.

Step 2: Apply to South College here: https://enroll.south.edu

Step 3: File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at FAFSA.ed.gov: https://fafsa.ed.gov/

Step 4: Begin attending classes at least part-time, and you are on your way!

If you have any questions, please reach out to our Financial Aid office. We can’t wait to help you earn your college degree and explore options for your dream career!

The South College Reconnect Grant is administered as follows:

This Grant cannot be combined with any other type of institutional grant or scholarship.
The Grant does not have any cash value. It may be awarded to assist with covering the cost of tuition, fees, and books/required course materials posted to the student’s South College account for an applicable term. A credit balance on the student account will not occur as the result of a South College Reconnect Grant being awarded for any term. Therefore, a stipend due to a credit balance on an account as the result of the South College Reconnect Grant posting will not occur.
Eligibility for this Grant is determined on a term by term basis. The student must be eligible for Reconnect as designated through the TSAC/eGrands website.
Only undergraduate students pursuing Associate and Certificate level programs are eligible for the South College Reconnect Grant. Program eligibility is restricted to those programs that are designated on the South College website as TN Promise eligible programs. South College may update these programs at its discretion. Students who enroll in a South College Reconnect Grant program will continue to receive the grant as long as all other eligibility criteria have been met and there is no break in enrollment.
Students who break enrollment for any reason are subject to updated grant rates as designated by the catalog under which his/her current enrollment falls. The South College Reconnect Grant is subject to change at the discretion of the college. Awards made to eligible students will not change as long as the student maintains continued enrollment and eligibility as outlined above.
The Grant disbursement schedule is as follows:

Ground Campus Students:

- 10 or more hours: $1,000 per term
- 6-9 hours: $500 per term
- 1-5 hours: $250 per term

Online Students, please contact Admissions at 865-288-8750 to discuss your financial opportunities with Tennessee Reconnect and the South College Reconnect Grant

An online South College student working on a laptop at a table near the window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I go part time or full time?

Students are required to enroll and attend at least half-time as of institutional census in each to quarter to receive an award. Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis due to extenuating circumstances.

Students may enroll in mid-quarter classes to satisfy enrollment.
Can I take a quarter off and keep it?

Continuous enrollment is required in the fall, winter, and spring quarters of an academic year. Enrollment in summer semester is optional and is not required

Failing to meet the continuous enrollment will require an appeal to retain the scholarship.
Can I still get the TNR if I lost it previously?

To regain eligibility after losing the scholarship, for reasons other than the GPA, requires an appeal approval. The failure to receive the required GPA at the end of an academic year is not appealable and results in permanent loss of the scholarship.
Can I only use it for AS degree programs, or also for CERTS and BS degree programs?

Programs eligible for the Tennessee Reconnect include diplomas, certificates and AS degrees.

BS degrees are not eligible.
How long do I have to live here to get it/Do I need to be a Resident of TN?

Students must be a Tennessee resident one year preceding the date of the application.
If I went to college a long time ago, am I eligible?

Any student that has not reached a terminating event for the TNR is eligible to apply.

Terminating events include receiving an associate degree or certificate.

Five years have passed since the date of initial enrollment as a Tennessee Reconnect Grant’s student, exclusive of any approved leave of absence.
How much will TNR cover?

Tennessee Reconnect is a last dollar scholarship. The amount of the award is based on the maximum award for the hours scheduled, minus any gift aid. Gift aid is defined as Pell Grant, State to f Grant (TSAA), and Hope scholarship. SEOG is not included as gift aid.
And just in general a lot of people believe TNR works like TNP and will cover all their tuition and get confused.

TNR and TNP do have very similar requirements. TNP is designed to fund recent Tennessee HS graduates, whereas the TNR is designed to fund independent students who wish to pursue a college degree well beyond HS graduation.

The misconception that all tuition is covered relates to how the program was marketed to address community colleges. The programs were initially designed with the perception that students could receive 2-years of education tuition free. Therefore, the tuition and fee schedules were geared toward cost at a community college. It is the position of the state that to attend a private college is the choice of the student, but the rules and fees remain in place as originally written to cover tuition at a community college for a 2-year degree.
Am I eligible if I already have a CERT or a diploma? (not an associates or bachelors)

A student may continue to receive a Tennessee Reconnect Grant for an associate degree or sequential certificate following completion of a certificate that directly leads to the associate degree or certificate program. However, there cannot be a break in enrollment between receipt of the certificate and enrollment in the associates. Any break in enrollment would require an appeal.
Do I have to reapply every quarter?

Students are required to complete the TNR application and Success Plan each year

Students must also submit a FAFSA annually by the established deadlines:

September 1 for fall enrollment

February 1 for spring and summer