$207 million and 150,000 students: Tennessee Promise scholarship marks 10-year anniversary

Rachel Wegner, Nashville Tennessean

The Tennessee Promise Scholarship, which offers high school graduates the chance to attend a community or technical college for free, marked its 10th anniversary this month — and its largest pool of applicants yet.

Since its inception in 2014, the state-funded scholarship has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars and supported tens of thousands of students. It supports those pursuing a technical certificate or associate degree by covering tuition and mandatory fees not offset by other financial aid.

Here's a look at the numbers surrounding the Tennessee Promise scholarship over the last decade:

  • $1 billion — Amount invested by Tennessee to expand enrollment in Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology

  • $207 million — Total funding awarded to students enrolling in Tennessee community and technical colleges

  • 150,000 — Students supported by Tennessee Promise scholarships since 2014

  • 66,000 — High school seniors who applied for the Tennessee Promise scholarship in 2024

  • 64.4% — The 2015 college-going rate in Tennessee after the Tennessee Scholarship launched, which climbed roughly 6 percentage points from the previous year

  • 24 — Colleges of applied technology where students can use the Tennessee Promise scholarship

  • 13 — Community colleges where students can use the Tennessee Promise scholarship

"The Tennessee Promise program has been life-changing for countless students across Tennessee, opening doors to higher education and career opportunities," Steven Gentile, executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, said in a news release. "As we celebrate this 10-year milestone, we are proud of the program's success and the positive impact it has had on our state's workforce readiness, economic development, and overall quality of life."

Haven't completed your FAFSA?: The Tennessee deadline for aid is May 15

Who qualifies, more information on Tennessee Promise requirements

Students make their way around campus at Nashville State Community College in 2015.
Students make their way around campus at Nashville State Community College in 2015.

The Tennessee Promise scholarship is available to any high school senior who graduates from an in-state high school or completes a home school program in Tennessee. Along with offering financial support, it also offers mentoring, including assistance for at-risk students who would not otherwise pursue education beyond high school.

"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," the scholarship's website states.

Students are required to maintain a 2.0 GPA at the institution where they enroll.

More information on the scholarship, its requirements and how to apply can be found at CollegeForTN.org/TNpromise.

Reach children's reporter Rachel Wegner at RAwegner@tennessean.com or find her on Twitter, Bluesky and Threads @RachelAnnWegner.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Promise scholarship marks 10 years with $207M, 150K students

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