Time is quickly running out for high school students to apply for the Tennessee Promise. The deadline for seniors to submit their application for the scholarship is November 1.
The Tennessee Promise provides two years of tuition-free attendance at a community or technical college in the state. Qualifying students receive a last-dollar scholarship to cover cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by other financial assistance such as the HOPE Scholarship, the federal Pell grant, or the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. The program does not cover books or housing.
Students can apply through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) Student Portal.
Each applicant must first create an account and students will be able to apply by selecting the Tennessee Promise from the list of scholarships. The portal also also allows students to apply for other Tennessee financial aid including:
- Ned McWherter Scholars
- Dependent Children Scholarship
- Minority Teaching Fellows
- Tennessee Graduate Nursing Loan Forgiveness
- Helping Heroes Grant
- Dual Enrollment Grant
- Middle College Scholarship
- Tennessee Promise Scholarship
- TN Reconnect Scholarship
Former Governor Bill Haslam launched the Tennessee Promise in 2015 to increase the number of students attending higher education in Tennessee. Students who receive the scholarship also take part in a mentoring program.
Students receiving the scholarship are required to enroll in at least 12 hours to maintain scholarship eligibility.
Tennessee Promise Making an Impact
Earlier this year, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) released a report that found 54.5 percent of Tennessee students went straight from high school to college. That’s a 1.5 percent increase in the state’s “College-going rate” from the 2020-2021 school year and it’s the largest increase since the Tennessee Promise launched.
The program has also made college more affordable and accessible to students and families.
The National College Attainment Network released a study that found that 50 percent of Tennessee’s two-year public community colleges are affordable compared to the nation’s 40 percent.
