Tennessee Promise
Tennessee Promise supports students with college scholarships and mentoring, funding tuition and mandatory fees to increase college attendance and strengthen Tennessee’s skilled workforce.
Funder: Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Due Dates: November 2, 2026 (Class of 2027 application) | December 2026–January 2027 (Mandatory meeting) | January 12, 2027 (Early graduate FAFSAs and service) | April 1, 2027 (Class of 2027 FAFSA) | April 1, 2027 (Next annual application opening) | August 1, 2027 (Class of 2027 community service)
Funding Amounts: Last-dollar scholarship covering tuition and mandatory fees not covered by gift aid
Summary: Tennessee Promise pairs college scholarships with mentoring to increase college attendance and strengthen Tennessee’s workforce.
Key Information: Students must attend a mandatory meeting and complete 16 hours of community service each year.
Description
Tennessee Promise is a scholarship and mentoring program administered by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to increase the number of students attending college in Tennessee. Its last-dollar scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees remaining after gift aid. Students may use the scholarship at the state’s 13 community colleges, 22 colleges of applied technology, or other eligible institutions offering associate degree programs.
The program combines financial assistance with mentoring and coordination through The Ayers Foundation Trust and tnAchieves, each serving designated counties. Since its launch in 2014, Tennessee Promise has supported enrollment for more than 150,000 students, helping students pursue college while contributing to a more skilled and competitive workforce.
