The Tennessee Higher Education Commission has spent the last 10 days partnering with dozens of community partners across Tennessee to assist students from the Class of 2024 with their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ahead of the August 1 deadline for Tennessee Promise scholarship applications.¶
Commission officials said in a news release last week that the campaign, dubbed “FAFSA Frenzy,” promoted several in-person FAFSA clinic events hosted by community colleges and other partner organizations statewide. The efforts followed a recent report from the National College Attainment Network, which showed that while Tennessee leads the way in terms of students who complete their FAFSA, just 58.5 percent of the state’s Class of 2024 high school graduates had completed the FAFSA this year – representing an 11 percent decline since this time last year.¶
To coincide with the events, Gov. Bill Lee also recently proclaimed July 2024 as “FAFSA Frenzy Month” in Tennessee, according to the THEC news release. As part of the observance, landmarks across the state were lit green during the final 10-day countdown to help remind students of Thursday’s FAFSA deadline. The landmarks included Big River Crossing Bridge in Memphis, Paris Tennessee’s ‘Eiffel Tower,’ the Tennessee State Capitol Cupola in Nashville and Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, among other sites.¶
According to the THEC announcement, Governor Lee’s proclamation said in part: “Whereas, Tennessee is deeply committed to supporting the aspirations of all residents and preparing the state's future workforce; and “Whereas, there is abundant federal and state financial assistance available to both students and adult learners who want to earn a college degree or workforce credential beyond high school; and“Whereas, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a critical step in applying for Tennessee Promise as well as many other college grants and scholarships...Now, Therefore, I, Bill Lee, Governor of the State of Tennessee, do hereby proclaim July 2024, as FAFSA Frenzy Month in Tennessee and encourage all citizens to join me in this worthy observance.”¶
Students can still receive help filling out the FAFSA online and at events August 1 at the University of Memphis and Jackson State Community College.¶
