Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) Appeal Process at MTSU

The Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) is awarded based on policies set forth by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC). TSAC's TELS policy allows an appeal process for students who fail to meet enrollment requirements due to extenuating medical or personal circumstances.

Lottery scholarship recipients who fail to meet continuing eligibility requirements will have their scholarships rescinded beginning with the next semester. Students can view their eligibility status via RaiderNet:

• Log into PipelineMT
• Click on the RaiderNet tab
• Click on the Financial Aid tab
• Click on "View TELS Eligibility"

Eligibility is determined and updated on RaiderNet approximately one week after the end of each semester. Students who did not meet enrollment requirements because of extenuating circumstances (such as severe illness or extreme financial hardship) may appeal to request reinstatement of the scholarship; students who did not meet GPA or other requirements will not have the opportunity to appeal regardless of extenuating circumstances, according to state regulations.

Who Can Submit an Appeal

• A student who dropped below full-time during the semester (or who were enrolled part-time and dropped below part-time during the semester) because of extenuating circumstances
• A student who withdrew from all classes because of extenuating circumstances
• A student who did not enroll in at least 1 hour for a required fall or spring semester because of extenuating circumstances
• A student in a provisional eligibility status who did not enroll in at least 12 hours for a required fall or spring semester because of extenuating circumstances
• A student who did not enroll within 16 months after graduating from high school, graduating from homeschool, or completing a GED test because of extenuating circumstances
• See below for information about certain military exceptions

Who Cannot Submit an Appeal

• A student who dropped below the required GPA
• A student who does not meet the initial eligibility requirements, such as ACT and GPA minimums
• A student who exceeds the maximum number of years or attempted hours that are allowed
• A student who does not meet the residency requirement
• A student whose parents have an Adjusted Gross Income above $36,000 cannot appeal to receive the Aspire supplement.
• A non-traditional student cannot appeal to receive the Aspire or Merit supplement.

What an Appeal Should Include

Your appeal must include the following paperwork:

• A completed and signed appeal form:
  • Change of Enrollment Status Appeal Form: For students who changed their enrollment status, such as dropping from full-time to part-time during a semester
  • Leave of Absence Request Form: For students who withdrew from all classes for a semester, who did not enroll for one or more required semesters, or did not enroll within 16 months after high school graduation
• A detailed letter regarding your situation, including a description of why you were unable to meet the enrollment requirement
• Documentation to support the appeal, such as statements from doctors, counselors, or other professionals (See the FAQs webpage for tips on determining what documentation you should submit.)

How to Submit An Appeal

We strongly recommend that you submit your entire appeal at one time, including all supporting documentation.  If you choose to submit documentation separately from the rest of your appeal, you must include your name and M#, along with a note that it is to be added to the appeal you already submitted.  Please note:  Documentation that is received after an appeal is reviewed will not be considered: for this reason, if you choose to submit documentation separately from your appeal, we cannot guarantee that the documentation will be reviewed.

MTSU's Institutional Review Panel (IRP) meets six times a year to review appeals; appeals can be submitted no more than 14 business days before each scheduled meeting. For upcoming IRP meeting dates and appeal submission deadlines, please check the chart below. You may submit your appeal to the Scholarship Office (mail to MTSU Box 31, hand-deliver to JUB 206, or fax to 615-494-7770). You will be able to view the decision , by logging into RaiderNet, clicking on the Financial Aid tab, and selecting "Student Requirements". Additionally, you will receive a response via your permanent mailing address, approximately two weeks after the meeting date.

Appeal Dates

1. January 14, 2013
• Can submit starting on December 17*
• Appeal and all paperwork must be submitted by January 9
• Will receive emailed decision by January 23
• Will Receive paper decision letter by January 31
2. March 7, 2013
• Can submit starting on February 18
• Appeal and all paperwork must be submitted by March 4
• Will receive emailed decision by March 18
• Will receive paper decision letter by March 27
3. May 2, 2013
• Can submit starting on April 15*
• Appeal and all paperwork must be submitted by April 29
• Will receive emailed decision by May 13
• Will receive paper decision letter by May 22
4. June 13, 2013
• Can submit starting on May 27*
• Appeal and all paperwork must be submitted by June 10
• Will receive emailed decision by June 24
• Will receive paper decision letter by July 3
5. August 8, 2013
• Can submit starting on July 22*
• Appeal and all paperwork must be submitted by August 5
• Will receive emailed decision by August 19
• Will receive paper decision letter by August 30
6. October 10, 2013
   • Can submit starting on September 23*
   • Appeal and all paperwork must be submitted by October 7
   • Will receive emailed decision by October 21
   • Will receive paper decision letter by October 30

*According to state regulations, we cannot accept appeals more than 14 business days before the appeal meeting. Please do not submit your appeal before the specified date, as we will be required to return it to you unprocessed.

Military Service: Requesting Exceptions to Residency and Enrollment Requirements

A student may be eligible for a Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship if the student does not meet residency requirements due to the military service of one or both parents but meets all other eligibility requirements. The student must submit documentation to establish that the parent's State of Record is Tennessee and that the parent has been stationed outside of Tennessee. Dependents of Department of Defense employees may qualify for a TELS award under this rule. If you believe you may qualify under this exception, please contact Melanie Collins for more information.

A student who does not meet enrollment requirements due to active military service may request a Military Leave of Absence for the applicable semester(s). The student must submit documentation to establish the location of the active service, as well as the beginning and end dates.

A student meeting the above requirements is not required to appeal to the Institutional Review Panel. However, the student must submit a Military Service Appeal Form, along with documentation as indicated above. The appeal will be reviewed by institutional and/or state representatives to verify eligibility under the military exceptions.

Who to Contact for More Information Still have questions?

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) webpage!

After reading all of the information on the FAQs page, if you have additional questions about the appeal process or the documentation you need to provide (if applicable), you should speak with Bill McCord.

Return to Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) Program webpage

Return to MTSU Scholarship homepage

Updated December 2012