College For TN - Powered by Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

TN Promise

Overview

Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and mentoring program focused on increasing the number of students who attend college in our state. It provides students a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by the Pell grant, the HOPE scholarship, or the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. Students may use the scholarship at any of the state’s 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology, or other eligible institution offering an associate degree program.

 

Applicants must complete the Tennessee Promise application by November 3, complete the FAFSA by April 1, attend a mandatory meeting, and complete 16 hours of community service each year to be eligible for the award.

 

Learn More

Apply

The TN Promise Application opens on August 1 each year. The application is accessed through the TSAC Student Portal. To create a Student Portal account, you will be asked to provide the following:

 

  • Student’s First Name and Last Name (as it appears on the Social Security Card)
  • Student’s Social Security Number 
  • Student’s Date of Birth
  • Student’s Personal Email Address (Not School Email)

 

 

 

APPLY NOW!
empowering more than 150,000 students since 2014

TN Promise marks a decade of success

Since 2014, $207 million in funding has supported the enrollment of more than 150,000 students pursuing their dreams of college, creating a more skilled and competitive workforce in Tennessee. Learn more.

FAFSA

The FAFSA is the primary college financial aid application students must complete in order to determine state and federal scholarship and/or grant eligibility. All students should file the 2026-2027 FAFSA regardless of college plans!

 

Students and parents will utilize 2024 tax information to complete the 2026-2027 FAFSA. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible as some state/federal financial aid grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. 

 

The deadline to submit the 2026-2027 FAFSA to remain eligible for TN Promise is April 1, 2026.

 

Apply

Partnering Organizations

Tennessee Promise partners with two statewide organizations to coordinate requirements for the award.

 

If you live in Benton, Bledsoe, Campbell, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Decatur, Hancock, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Houston, Johnson, Lake, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Lewis, McNairy, Meigs, Perry, Scott, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Wayne or White counties, your award will be coordinated by The Ayers Foundation Trust.

 
All other counties are served by tnAchieves.
 

It is imperative that all students be mindful of the email address and phone number(s) provided to the partnering organization. This information will be used to communicate important program eligibility details and upcoming deadlines directly to the student.

 

High School Student Checklist

Class of 2026 - High School Seniors

By November 3, 2025

The application for the class of 2026 is available HERE. Please create an account in the TSAC Student Portal, log-in, and submit the application.

 

By April 1, 2026

Submit the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Available October 1, 2025.

 

December 2025/January 2026

Attend a mandatory meeting coordinated by your assigned partnering organization. Details about these mandatory meetings will be provided to applicants following the application deadline in the fall.

 

Spring 2026

Apply to a community college or technical college or a four-year institution which offers an associate degree.

 

By August 1, 2026

Complete and report at least 16 hours of community service to your assigned partnering organization. Community service must be completed on or after August 1, 2024 to be considered.

Summer students must report community service hours by April 1, 2026.

 

Summer/Fall 2026

If selected, provide requested documentation to complete FAFSA verification.

Additional information will be provided by the postsecondary institution for those selected for verification following submission of the FAFSA.

College Student Checklist

2025-2026 - Continuing Students

By April 15, 2025
Submit the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.studentaid.gov.

 

By July 1, 2025
Complete and report eight (8) hours of community service to your partnering organization to maintain eligibility into the fall 2025 semester. Summer students must report community service hours by April 1.

 

Fall 2025 Semester
Enroll and attend full-time in an eligible program of study at an eligible postsecondary institution. Please contact the financial aid office at the institution if you are unable to enroll full-time in any semester.

 

By December 1, 2025
Complete and report eight (8) hours of community service to your partnering organization to maintain eligibility into the spring 2026 semester.

 

Spring 2026 Semester
Enroll and attend full-time in an eligible program of study at an eligible postsecondary institution. Please contact the financial aid office at the institution if you are unable to enroll full-time in any semester.