Tuition-free enrollment opens for adults at Tennessee community, technical colleges

Gov. Bill Haslam gives his annual State of the State address to a joint convention of the Tennessee General Assembly Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Gov. Bill Haslam gives his annual State of the State address to a joint convention of the Tennessee General Assembly Monday, Jan. 29, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced Thursday that applications are open for adults to enroll tuition-free this fall at a community or technical college through Tennessee Reconnect.

Tennessee Reconnect provides a last-dollar scholarship for adults to earn an associate degree or technical certificate without having to pay tuition or mandatory fees.

"We want to send a clear message that wherever you fall on life's path, you have the opportunity to earn an education beyond high school," Haslam said in a news release. "By 2025, at least half the jobs in our state will require a college degree or certificate. Tennessee will lead in creating highly-skilled jobs if we make sure that Tennesseans are ready for those jobs, and there is no smarter investment than increasing access to high quality education."

To apply, Tennessee residents should complete the application at TNReconnect.gov, apply to a local community college or eligible institution, file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid at http://FAFSA.ed.gov, and enroll in a degree or certificate program at least part-time.

To be eligible, people must have lived in Tennessee at least one year, not already hold hold an associate or bachelor's degree and be determined as an independent student on the FAFSA.

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