I'm interested in community colleges in Tennessee and heard there might be online applications with free tuition benefits. How do I access these, and what should I know about the process?
Indeed, you've heard correctly. The state of Tennessee offers the Tennessee Promise Scholarship, which provides two years of tuition-free attendance at a community or technical college in Tennessee. This is a last-dollar scholarship, which means that it covers tuition and fees not covered by other forms of financial aid like Pell grants or state grants.
If you're a high school senior in Tennessee, you can apply for this scholarship through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. The typically application period runs from August 1 to November 1 of your senior year. The application process involves filling out the Tennessee Promise application and completing your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
Additionally, you're required to complete and submit eight hours of community service per term enrolled, attend two mandatory meetings prior to each academic term, and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA.
The Tennessee Promise Scholarship is unique and a major asset, significantly lowering the financial burden of those initial years of post-secondary education. The funds from Tennessee Promise can be applied to an associate degree program, including online programs offered by the participating institutions. Please make sure to check with individual colleges about their specific application processes and offerings.
Also, remember that even though the tuition is covered, there might be additional costs like books and living expenses that aren't covered by the scholarship. So, you should take time to budget for these additional costs as you plan your college journey. Good luck with your applications!
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