Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has announced a special FAFSA Frenzy campaign for the month of July. This initiative aims to support students and families in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Completing the FAFSA is the first step towards accessing college grants and scholarships, including the Tennessee Promise, before the August 1 deadline.
Despite leading the nation in FAFSA completion rates, the latest national report reveals that only 58.5% of Tennessee’s Class of 2024 high school graduates have completed the FAFSA this year. This figure represents a nearly 11 percentage point decline compared to the same period last year.
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Dr. Steven Gentile, Executive Director of THEC, acknowledged the challenges posed by the delayed rollout of the new FAFSA. “We don’t want students to miss out on free financial aid and the opportunities a college degree or job training credential can provide,” he said. Partners across the state are now offering direct support and assistance to students and their families throughout July to ensure no one is left behind.
Students and families can receive step-by-step help with the FAFSA application and ask questions at CollegeforTN.org/FAFSA. Additionally, many community colleges and partner organizations are hosting special in-person FAFSA nights and other help sessions. A comprehensive calendar of these events is available at CollegeforTN.org/Events/.
Throughout July, reminder ads and messages of encouragement will be visible on social media channels. Dr. Gentile emphasized the importance of completing the FAFSA, especially for first-generation college students who may not realize they are forfeiting significant financial aid by not applying.
According to the National College Attainment Network, FAFSA completion is strongly associated with postsecondary enrollment. Their data shows that 92% of high school seniors who completed the FAFSA enrolled by November following graduation, compared to 51% who did not complete the form.
THEC recently reported a 2.4 percentage point increase in the state’s college-going rate for the class of 2023 over the class of 2022, marking the largest year-over-year increase since the introduction of the tuition-free Tennessee Promise scholarship in 2015. The college-going rate measures the percentage of Tennessee’s public high school graduates who enroll in postsecondary education immediately after high school.
For more information and support on FAFSA, please visit CollegeforTN.org/FAFSA.
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Knoxville Hosts Financial Literacy Fair
Knoxville leaders, including Mayor Indya Kincannon, are supporting the Financial Literacy 720 campaign to help residents achieve credit scores of 720 for financial wellness. A resource fair will be held on July 20 at the Haslam-Sansom Ministry Complex, offering various activities and information to help attendees improve their credit scores and overall financial health.