Supporting your student.
Strengthening their future.
College is for EVERYONE! There are many opportunities, resources and aid available to help students enroll. tnAchieves believes that there is a place in college in Tennessee for your student!
College is a great opportunity for students to pursue after high school graduation. Whether your student is planning to learn a skill by enrolling in a certificate program or move to a university to begin a bachelor’s degree, your student has made a great decision!
What is college?
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Students attend TCATs to gain mastery of a skill and enter the workforce quickly.
Most programs will be completed in 12-18 months
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Students attend community colleges to earn associate degrees or certificate degrees.
Many students transfer to a public or private four-year college after the completion of their associate degree.
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Students attend four-year colleges or universities to pursue associate or bachelor’s degrees.
Students can also continue their education in a graduate degree program at most four-year colleges and universities.
TN Promise
DEADLINES
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File the 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at FAFSA.gov. Please click here to learn more about this requirement!
Keep in mind, this is a mandatory scholarship requirement. Failure to complete this requirement will result in the loss of TN Promise scholarship eligibility. Once eligibility is lost, it cannot be regained at a later date.
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Complete and submit at least 16 hours of community service for the 2026-2027 academic year. Please click here to learn more and submit your hours!
Keep in mind, this is a mandatory scholarship requirement. Failure to complete this requirement will result in the loss of TN Promise scholarship eligibility. Once eligibility is lost, it cannot be regained at a later date.
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If you are attending a community college or 4-year institution, you are required to maintain a cumulative 2.0 GPA at the end of each academic year to remain eligible for TN Promise. An academic year is defined as the fall term, spring term and summer term in this order.
If you are attending a Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT), you are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) which is checked at the end of each trimester.
Financial Aid & FAFSA
Financial aid helps students and families pay for college. There are many scholarships and grants available to students to help cover the cost of post-secondary education, and it all begins with completion of the 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)!
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The FAFSA is required to receive both federal and state financial aid. The 2026–2027 FAFSA is available now at StudentAid.gov, and it must be filed by April 1, 2026 to remain eligible for TN Promise.
Filing the FAFSA is always free, and families should never pay to submit the form. Completing the FAFSA early increases the likelihood that students receive the maximum amount of available aid, as some programs award funds on a first-come, first-served basis.
What You Need to File the FAFSA
The FAFSA uses 2024 student and parent tax information. Before beginning, both the student and one parent must create separate StudentAid.gov accounts to access and sign the application. The same email address cannot be used for both accounts. Store your usernames and passwords in a safe place, as they are required each year your student is in college. Families should gather the following documents before filing:
2024 Federal Tax Return and W-2 forms for student and parent(s)
Social Security numbers for student and parent(s)
Records of untaxed income, such as child support received
Current account balances (checking, savings, investments, business and farm assets)
After completing the FAFSA, a confirmation email will be sent to the email address provided. Keep this email for your records. tnAchieves recommends maintaining a folder for all important financial aid documents and confirmations.
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Federal Pell Grant
A federal, need-based grant awarded using FAFSA information.
Amount is based on the Student Aid Index (SAI)
Calculated using parent and student income data
Does not need to be repaid
Learn more:
View the Parent HandbookTN Promise
A last-dollar scholarship that covers remaining tuition and mandatory fees after other grants and scholarships are applied.
Available to current-year high school seniors
No ACT or GPA requirement for initial eligibility
Requires full-time enrollment, a 2.0 GPA (or good standing at a TCAT), and completion of community service
Students must follow all tnAchieves policies to remain eligible
Learn more:
View the Parent HandbookTennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS)
State-funded scholarships supported by the Tennessee Lottery.
Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
Up to $2,250 per semester at eligible four-year institutions
Up to $1,600 per semester at eligible two-year institutions
Requires a 21 ACT or 3.0 final high school GPA (or approved equivalent)
Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant
Up to $2,000 per academic year
Available to students enrolled in certificate or diploma programs at a TCAT
Basic eligibility requirements
Tennessee residency
FAFSA completion
Enrollment at an eligible institution within required timeframes
Learn more:
View the Parent HandbookTennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA)
A need-based, state-funded grant awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
FAFSA required
Tennessee residency required
Demonstrated financial need required
Must be enrolled at least half-time
Early FAFSA completion is strongly encouraged
Learn more:
View the Parent HandbookImportant Reminder
The financial aid listed above includes grants and scholarships, not loans. These funds do not need to be repaid.
For full details, policies, and eligibility requirements, refer to the 2026 tnAchieves Parent Handbook.
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Some students are selected for financial aid verification after FAFSA completion.
Verification is a process initiated by the Department of Education and requires additional financial documentation be submitted to the college financial aid office. If your student is selected for financial aid verification, the college will notify your student. At that time, your student should begin working closely with the college’s financial aid office until all requested documentation is submitted. A student must have a complete financial aid file in order to receive any scholarships or grants.
Students should NEVER drop a course without talking to the financial aid office about how it may impact scholarship and grant eligibility!
Filing early increases the likelihood of receiving additional grants and scholarships that are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parent Video Resources
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Parent Video Resources •
A TN Promise Conversation for Parents
In this informative session, the tnAchieves team answers the top 10 questions parents have about the TN Promise scholarship and how they can best support their students through the college-going process. The discussion covers key topics such as: • Understanding TN Promise eligibility and requirements • The importance of meeting deadlines and completing the FAFSA • How to support students in choosing a college or program that fits their goals • The value of community service and mentor involvement • What parents can do to help their students stay on track through enrollment and beyond Parents will walk away with a clearer understanding of their role in ensuring their student’s success — from high school graduation to the first day of college. The tnAchieves team provides practical advice, answers common concerns, and highlights the resources available to families navigating this exciting journey together.
It All
Begins Here
We bring creativity and expertise to everything we do.
Here, creativity meets opportunity. Whatever you're building, we're here to help you take the first step with confidence.
Mentors & SUpport
Students have the opportunity to work with a tnAchieves mentor who helps with milestone completion, career preparing and networking. Since 2008, more than 50,000 volunteers have helped students navigate the complexities of the college journey and reach their full potential.