Recipients must meet each of the following criteria:

• Must be a female, U.S. Citizen over the age of 25 September 1, 2009.
• Must live or attend school in the Chattanooga Metropolitan Statistical Area.  (The Chattanooga MSA includes Hamilton, Marion and Sequatchie counties in Tennessee and Catoosa, Dade and Walker counties in Georgia.)
• Initial application must be completed by nomination deadline, and may be completed by applicant or a third party. Essay must be submitted by applicant. 
• Must not have been convicted of a felony in any U.S. jurisdiction within the three years prior to application.
• Must be officially accepted into an accredited degree or certificate program at an accredited U.S. college or university.
• Must provide copies of IRS Form 1040 from previous two years to document adjusted gross income.
• Must provide a copy of her most recent pay stub.
• Must be able to demonstrate financial need and not exceed total household income according to the chart below:
  
  
  

  Area	1-Person	2-Person	3-Person	4-Person	5-Person	6-Person	7-Person	8-Person
  Chattanooga MSA	$29,900	$34,150	$38,450	$42,700	$46,100	$49,550	$52,950	$56,350

  (Statistics produced by the Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rent documentation system.)