Tennessee high school seniors are once again on a roll while applying for financial aid; this time, it’s a historic roll.¶
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) announced that nearly 55,000 seniors completed a FAFSA for the 2025-2026 academic year, ranking first in the nation and the highest level of FAFSA engagement in state history.¶
Record-Breaking Success
According to the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) FAFSA Tracker, Tennessee is set to spend its tenth straight year in the top spot for FAFSA completion, barring any change of pace before the end of summer.¶
“With a record number of students completing the FAFSA, Tennessee continues to lead the nation while helping thousands of students unlock financial aid and take the next step toward college and career success,” THEC Executive Director Steven Gentile said.¶
THEC’s Efforts
THEC claims its outreach initiatives contributed to the state’s FAFSA completion rates increasing by 16 percent and 20 percent, respectively, over the past two years, as its outreach team visits every high school in the state, setting up FAFSA workshops, financial aid nights, and more to spread the word.¶
239 high schools were recognized as FAFSA Champions this year for their work helping students and their families navigate the college financial aid process.¶
“This work is truly a statewide effort,” THEC Senior Director of Outreach Jason Seay said. “By partnering with schools and communities and reaching every high school in Tennessee, we are able to connect students with the resources they need to complete the FAFSA and access the financial aid available to them.”¶
Students can still complete the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov for federal and state financial aid opportunities, and they can find more information on the FAFSA and available aid at CollegeforTN.org.¶
