Updated
Tennessee · Free-college programs

Tennessee Promise Scholarship

Last-dollar tuition/mandatory-fee aid with application, mentoring and annual community-service requirements.

Free if eligibleSources checked Oct 16, 2026View sources ↓Compare related routes ↓
Students & families · General optionAdult learners · General optionHigh-school students & recent graduates · Explicitly served

At a glance

Free if eligible
What it covers
Supports eligible tuition and mandatory-fee balances after other gift aid. Confirm the applicable institution/programme and its actual award calculation.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗
Income / financial rules
The award fills the gap after other gift aid; it is not a separate allowance for every attendance expense.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗
Who to check first
Follow the checklist for your graduation/enrollment cohort and attend a mandatory partner meeting.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗
Application timing
Class of 2027: submit the Tennessee Promise application by November 2, 2026. The 2027–28 FAFSA is separately due April 1, 2027.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗
Read official guidanceYou’ll leave FreeCheapEdu. The program makes the eligibility decision.

Check your eligibility

Some items describe alternative routes rather than requirements for everyone. Use the route that applies to you as a preparation checklist; the program makes the eligibility decision.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗

How to apply

  1. 1
    Create a THEC Student Portal account and submit the Tennessee Promise application for your class.
    As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗
  2. 2
    Attend the partner meeting, submit the correct-year FAFSA and complete the cohort’s community-service requirements.
    As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗
  3. 3
    Apply to an eligible institution and supply FAFSA verification documents if selected.
    As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗

What to watch for

The Promise application and FAFSA have separate deadlines. Early graduates or summer students may need the preceding-year FAFSA as well.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗
Missing mentoring/service/enrollment requirements can prevent the award even after filing the initial application.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗

Common questions

What is the main benefit?

Supports eligible tuition and mandatory-fee balances after other gift aid. Confirm the applicable institution/programme and its actual award calculation.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗
Is there an income limit?

The award fills the gap after other gift aid; it is not a separate allowance for every attendance expense.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗
When should I apply?

Class of 2027: submit the Tennessee Promise application by November 2, 2026. The 2027–28 FAFSA is separately due April 1, 2027.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Tennessee Higher Education Commission ↗

Sources & verification

Source summaries checked by automated research on the dates below. No human professional review is claimed.

Tennessee Promise Scholarship
Tennessee Higher Education Commission
Checked Oct 16, 2026
Read official guidance