TENNESSEE PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP

Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and mentoring program focused on increasing the number of students who attend college or tech schools in our state. Students may use the scholarship at any of the state’s 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology, or other eligible institution offering an associate degree program. Applicants must complete the Tennessee Promise application by November 3^rd, complete the FAFSA by May 15, attend a mandatory meeting, and complete eight hours of community service each semester to be eligible for the award

Here is how to apply:

1.Go to TSAC Student Portal.

2.Select the Create a Log-In button.

3.LOG-IN to your new account.

4.Select APPLY in the upper left corner.

5.Select The TN PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP.

6.Complete application and SUBMIT.

2026 TN Promise Requirement Overview:

• By November 3, 2025:
  • Complete the 2026 TN Promise application at TNPromise.gov to become eligible for the scholarship.
• By December 15, 2025:
  • Apply for the UT Promise scholarship if interested in attending a UT System institution (Knoxville, Chattanooga, Southern, Martin, Memphis) next fall.
• By March 15, 2026:
  • Satisfy the Mandatory TN Promise Meeting requirement.
    • Meeting details are assigned based on the high school a student attends. We will send more information soon! 
• By April 1, 2026:
  • Complete the 2026-2027 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at FAFSA.gov.
    • Application is scheduled to open on October 1, 2025.
• By August 1, 2026:
  • Complete and submit at least 16 hours of community service to tnAchieves.org.
    • ​You can find more information regarding the TN Promise community service requirement by clicking here.
    • Any hours completed after August 1, 2024 and meet our guidelines can be submitted for this deadline.
• Fall 2026
  • Enroll as a full-time student (at least 12 credit hours or full-time program) at a TN Promise eligible institution.

TENNESSEE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP 

The Tennessee HOPE Scholarship Program provides scholarship and grant assistance to Tennesseans attending eligible Tennessee postsecondary institutions. To receive the HOPE Scholarship, students must have a 3.0 GPA or 21 on the ACT.  There are several scholarships funded by the lottery.

Award Information

Four-Year Institutions and two-year institutions with on-campus housing:

Up to $2,250 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore; then up to $2,850 per full-time enrollment semester as a junior and senior 

Two-Year Institutions:

Up to $1,600 per full-time enrollment semester as a freshman and sophomore

*VisitCollege for TN for more information.

Austin Peay State University, Sept. 1 – 30, use code “APAPPLY”

Belmont Universit, Sept. 15 – 19, use code “TNWEEK26”

Cumberland University, Sept. 1 – 30, use code “CUAPPLY”

East TN State University Sept. 1 – 30, use code "TNFreeApp26"

Fisk Universi, Sept. 1 - 30, no code needed

Lee University, Sept. 1 – 30, use code “APPLY2026”

Lipscomb University, Sept. 15 – 30, use code “THEC25”

MTS, Sept. 15 - 21, no code needed

Milligan University, Year-round, use code “BUFFALO26”                                             

Tennessee State Universit,  Sept.  15 - 19, no code needed

University of Memphis,  Sept. 1 – 30, no code needed

UT Chattanoog,  Sept. 15 – 19, use code “FREEAPP26"

UT Knoxvill,  Sept. 17, no code needed

UT Marti n, Sept. 15 – 19, no code needed

Vanderbilt Universit, Sept. 15 – 19, no code needed

Free applications

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has partnered with Tennessee higher education institutions to provide college application instructional videos. These videos, created by Tennessee colleges, walk students step-by-step through each college’s application process.

Check out the site by clicking on the link below:

2025-2026 COLLEGE APPLICATION VIDEO & FEE WAIVER TOOLKIT

On this site you will find  a list of college with video and application links.

If the institution you are looking for is not listed, please visit the institution’s website for access to their college application. More schools will be added, and new videos shared during September, so please check back regularly