The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) is encouraging high school seniors to take a key step in September by applying for the Tennessee Promise scholarship during TN College Application & Exploration Month.
All month long, Tennessee schools will be celebrating TN College Application & Exploration Month, a statewide initiative that builds excitement and knowledge around the college-going process. Getting started early gives students a critical boost toward their college and career goals.
Apply Now for Tennessee Promise
The deadline to apply for Tennessee Promise is November 3, 2025—but students should not wait. Applying in September ensures students secure early access to tuition-free opportunities at colleges and technical institutions across the state.
Students may use the Tennessee Promise scholarship at any of Tennessee’s 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology, and other eligible four-year public and private institutions offering associate degree programs. Tennessee Promise is a last-dollar scholarship, covering tuition and mandatory fees not already paid by the Pell Grant, HOPE Scholarship, or Tennessee Student Assistance Award.
Applying for Tennessee Promise is simple. Students and families just need to create a TSAC Student Portal account at CollegeforTN.org to get started.
To learn more about Tennessee Promise, visit CollegeforTN.org/tnpromise.
Explore, Apply, Succeed with CollegeforTN Resources
During TN College Application & Exploration Month, students and families are encouraged to use the TN College Application Fee Waiver Video Toolkit, which provides step-by-step guidance and helps Tennessee high school seniors take advantage of free in-state college applications.
The new TN College Application Fee Waiver Toolkit brings together application links and fee waiver information for 40 participating universities and colleges this year in one easy-to-use document.
Families, students, and school staff can access that toolkit here: Fee Waiver Toolkit PDF.
All Grades & Community Encouraged to Participate
TN College Application & Exploration Month isn’t just for high school seniors. Students at every grade level can begin building excitement for their future.
The full suite of Next Guides available on CollegeForTN.org offers age-appropriate resources for every grade level, making college and career exploration both accessible and exciting for students.
Elementary guides use fun activities to spark curiosity while introducing career paths and clusters. The middle school guides help students discover their strengths and begin preparing for high school. High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors each have a guide tailored for exploring majors, comparing college options, or mapping out a course plan that keeps them on track for their future goals.
