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Overview

Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and mentoring program focused on increasing the number of students that attend college in our state. It provides students a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover tuition and fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or state student assistance funds. Students may use the scholarship at any of the state’s 13 community colleges, 27 colleges of applied technology, or other eligible institution offering an associate’s degree program.

 

While removing the financial burden is key, a critical component of Tennessee Promise is the individual guidance each participant will receive from a mentor who will assist the student as he or she navigates the college admissions process. This is accomplished primarily via mandatory meetings that students must attend in order to remain eligible for the program. In addition, Tennessee Promise participants must complete eight hours of community service per term enrolled, as well as maintain satisfactory academic progress (2.0 GPA) at their institution.

 

Administration of Tennessee Promise

The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) is the administrative agency for the Tennessee Promise program, working in partnership with local, non-profit partnering organizations that coordinate the mentoring and community service component. Once a student applies to the Tennessee Promise program, his or her respective partnering organization is responsible for coordinating regarding program requirements, mentorship connections, and determining if a student remains eligible for the Promise.

 

High school seniors can apply for Tennessee Promise here between August 17 and November 2, 2015.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must meet the following deadlines and requirements:

 

• Apply to the program by November 2, 2015.

• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15, 2016 at www.fafsa.gov. For families who have not yet filed taxes for the prior year, estimates can be used on the FAFSA and updated once taxes have been filed.

• Attend two mandatory meetings led by the local partnering organization. Failure to attend the mandatory meeting will result in loss of the Tennessee Promise.

• Complete 8 hours of community service for each semester they receive Tennessee Promise funding, to be completed before the start of each term. That means they must complete their first 8 hours the summer before enrolling in a community college or TCAT. Partnering organizations will assist students in finding community service opportunities in their area.

• Apply to and enroll in an eligible institution. Some partnering organizations may ask students to apply to an eligible college program by February 15, 2016. Though this deadline is not an official requirement, it is highly encouraged.

• Complete FAFSA verification, if required by the student's institution, by August 1, 2016.

 

Once in the program, students must maintain satisfactory academic progress (the equivalent of a 2.0 GPA at a community college), complete 8 hours of community service before the start of each term enrolled, and file the FAFSA by February 15 every year. Scholarship funds will be given directly to the school once his or her enrollment is confirmed.

 

It cannot be emphasized enough that each phase of the Tennessee Promise will require students to complete their requirements, and a failure to do so will result in loss of the Scholarship.

 

Eligible TNPromise Programs at Tennessee State University

 

• College of Health Sciences - Dental Hygiene

Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene

AAS Dental Hygiene Curriculum Map: http://goo.gl/gTY8Yf

 

• College of Health Sciences - Nursing

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing

AASN Nursing Curriculum Map: http://goo.gl/lIJ67o

LPN => RN Career Mobility: http://goo.gl/eMxlQU