The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has designated April 1-5, 2024, as “Finish the FAFSA Week,” urging high school seniors and their families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before May 15 to maintain eligibility for up to two years of tuition-free college through the Tennessee Promise program.
Completing the FAFSA is crucial for making college more affordable, as students who submit the FAFSA are more likely to enroll in higher education, persist in their studies, and earn a degree or credential. Despite a national decline in FAFSA submissions, Tennessee currently ranks seventh in the country and first in the Southeast for current FAFSA submission, with 40.7% of Tennessee high school seniors completing the FAFSA, according to the National College Attainment Network.
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“To the students and families affected by this year’s FAFSA delays, it is not too late to complete this important step,” Dr. Steven Gentile, Executive Director of THEC, addressed students and parents as they persist in their college planning despite challenges with the FAFSA. “We assure you that the financial aid you are eligible for will be there when you finish the FAFSA.”
Several measures have been taken to streamline the FAFSA completion process for Tennesseans, including more live webinars, extensive communications, increased outreach to school staff, and extending the Tennessee Promise FAFSA deadline to May 15.
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission and Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation have curated a range of resources available at CollegeforTN.org, including resources for students and parents and school resources to help schools assist their student populations and strengthen their FAFSA completion rates. The THEC FAFSA Hotline at 1-800-342-1663 is also available for FAFSA completion assistance.
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