Tennessee students are being encouraged to secure their financial futures during "Finish the FAFSA Week," which runs from today to Friday. This week serves as a reminder for high school seniors and their families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the April 15 deadline. This deadline is important for students hoping to take advantage of the Tennessee Promise program, which offers up to two years of tuition-free college, as per the Tennessee Higher Education Commission release.
Completing the FAFSA is linked to higher rates of college enrollment and degree completion. Tennessee ranks third in the country for FAFSA completion, with 60.5% of Tennessee Promise applicants submitting their forms for the current academic year. This rate is down from 73.9% last year.
Dr. Steven Gentile, Executive Director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), emphasized the importance of completing the FAFSA. "Completing the FAFSA is an essential part of making college affordable for every Tennessean," he said in the same release. He noted that by finishing the FAFSA, students gain access to scholarships and support that can help make college a reality.
Tennessee Higher Education Commission has created resources on CollegeForTN.org to help students and parents with the FAFSA process. The website includes detailed instructions, video guides, and webinars for schools. The THEC FAFSA Hotline at 1-800-342-1663 is also available to assist with questions.
Since its creation in 1967, Tennessee Higher Education Commission has worked to improve postsecondary education in Tennessee, with the goal of increasing the number of Tennesseans with postsecondary credentials. "Finish the FAFSA Week" is part of this ongoing effort.
