Gov. BIll Haslam, left, leads a discussion in Nashville in this file photo.NASHVILLE — Some 22,800 students have registered so far in Gov. Bill Haslam’s Tennessee Promise program, which offers “last dollars” scholarships to high school graduates wanting to attend two-year state community colleges or colleges of applied technology, officials say.
“The Tennessee Promise is a game-changer for the state,” Haslam said in a statement Friday evening. “It’s a clear statement to families that education beyond high school is a priority in Tennessee, and we’re excited that so many have signed up to take advantage of this new opportunity.”
He noted “there’s still a month left for seniors to apply so we encourage everyone who hasn’t to visit tnpromise.gov by Nov. 1 and fill out an application.”
Tennessee Promise, which has received national attention, is aimed at boosting enrollment of first-time freshmen because they can attend for free at two-year community colleges such as Chattanooga State and Cleveland State as well as post-secondary technical schools.
An important component of the program is its reliance on volunteer mentors who are expected to provide guidance to students, a number of whom are the first in their families to seek education beyond high school. Funded through interest earned off unused Tennessee Education Lottery funds, the program provides “last dollar” money to students who may have other forms of financial aid. But it also picks up the full tuition tab for students who don’t.