Latest news with #TennesseeHigherEducationCommission
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tennessee launches student first college access program, marking a shift from Trump-era approach
Tennessee launches student first college programme In a significant shift from the higher education policies of the Trump era, Tennessee is launching a new pilot program this fall that offers high school students automatic college admissions, paired with personalised financial aid information. The initiative, led by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), reflects a growing national push to remove barriers to college entry, especially for low- and middle-income students. The Tennessee Direct Admissions pilot is being closely watched across the country, not just for its bold design but for what it represents: a deliberate turn away from the Trump-era philosophy of reduced federal involvement in college access and affordability. A new model for college access Starting in November 2025, approximately 41,000 students from more than 230 randomly selected Tennessee high schools will receive letters informing them of which state colleges have accepted them based solely on academic performance. No traditional applications, essays, or fees required. For about half of those students, the admissions letters will also include customised financial aid information, showing how much they might receive from state grants, institutional scholarships, and federal aid programs. This includes guidance on eligibility for Tennessee Promise, a state-funded initiative that covers any remaining tuition and fees at community or technical colleges after other aid is applied. Breaking from the Trump-era playbook This pilot marks a stark contrast to the education priorities of the Trump administration, which largely emphasised deregulation, limited federal intervention, and cutbacks to college affordability initiatives. The Trump-era Department of Education rolled back Obama-era protections on student loans, scaled down accountability measures for for-profit institutions, and opposed large-scale federal funding increases for college access. In contrast, the Biden administration, and now state partners like Tennessee, have pushed for a more student-centered, federally engaged approach, seeking to simplify the admissions process, increase Pell Grant access, and boost FAFSA completion rates. The Tennessee program aligns with these goals by targeting the exact pain points that derail college enrollment: application complexity, cost uncertainty, and lack of guidance. Research-backed and nationally significant The pilot will serve as a research study, supported by scholars including Trisha Ross Anderson of Harvard University, to evaluate how the pairing of direct admission and financial aid affects college-going behaviour. Students will be split into groups: some receiving only admissions offers, some getting both offers and aid estimates, and others receiving no outreach. The findings could influence future national policies, especially if the data shows increased enrollment among those receiving both types of information. More broadly, the pilot reinforces the Biden administration's interest in evidence-based policy solutions and reflects a reinvigoration of federal-state collaboration, a dynamic largely stalled during the Trump years. 53 colleges, full state support The scale of the pilot is notable. All 13 of Tennessee's community colleges, all 23 technical colleges, and 17 public and private universities have signed on to participate — signalling robust institutional support across the state. To join the program, students must complete an application for Tennessee Promise by November 1, ensuring they are also looped into the state's broader financial aid ecosystem. A national trend with bipartisan momentum? While Tennessee's move is rooted in a progressive, pro-access model, direct admissions programs are gaining traction even in politically diverse states. Illinois and New York have recently launched similar efforts. New York, for instance, is guaranteeing college spots for high schoolers in the top 10% of their class beginning in 2025. Though the approaches differ, the underlying goal is shared: make college feel possible, academically and financially, for more students. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Axios
6 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Tennessee launches automatic college admission in 230 high schools
Tennessee is launching a first-of-its-kind college program this year that will send thousands of high school seniors automatic college admission letters along with personalized financial aid estimates. Why it matters: The "direct admissions" effort is meant to slash through the "forest of red tape" students face when navigating college searches, officials said. Participating students won't even have to apply to understand their options at dozens of participating in-state colleges. "No applications, no essays, no fees," said researcher Taylor Odle, who is evaluating the experimental program to see how it improves college enrollment. How it works: The program is in a pilot phase, and will only apply to students in about 230 randomly selected Tennessee high schools for now. Students at those schools only need to sign up for the Tennessee Promise program by Nov. 1 to participate. They'll get a letter later that month laying out their college options. During the pilot phase, about half of the direct admission letters will include personalized financial aid estimates, including merit-based scholarships students are likely to receive, as well as eligibility for Tennessee Promise, which offers students tuition-free community and technical college. Yes, but: They'll still have to file the FAFSA to secure need-based federal aid. Between the lines: During the pilot, researchers will track outcomes to see if including financial aid packages boosts enrollment numbers. They'll use their findings to shape recommendations for long-term services in Tennessee and nationwide. By the numbers: State leaders expect to send direct admission letters to 41,000 high school seniors this fall, telling them which colleges are saving a spot for them. Fifty-three in-state colleges and universities are participating. That total includes private and public universities as well as technical and community colleges. Colleges will use ACT and GPA thresholds to determine which students qualify. The big picture: Tennessee has led the effort to improve college access for years. Programs like the Tennessee Promise have inspired policies nationwide. The latest pilot program makes Tennessee the first in the nation to combine direct admissions with up-front financial aid estimates. The bottom line: Complicated applications and financial aid boondoggles can drive students away from considering college. Leaders hope that making the process more user-friendly will open up new opportunities, especially for low-income or rural students who are less likely to attend college. "This effort is really about removing barriers and shifting the conversation to make it easier for young people," said Tennessee Higher Education Commission director Steven Gentile. Participating Davidson County schools Antioch High School Cane Ridge High School Glencliff High School Hillsboro High School Hillwood High School Hume-Fogg High School Independence Academy High School John Overton High School KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School Knowledge Academies High School LEAD Academy LEAD Southeast Maplewood High School Martin Luther King Jr. School McGavock High School MNPS Virtual School Nashville Big Picture High School Nashville School of the Arts Pearl-Cohn High School Republic High School The Academy at Hickory Hollow The Academy at Old Cockrill Valor College Prep Whites Creek High School Participating Rutherford County schools Blackman High School Central Magnet School Eagleville School Holloway High School Lavergne High School Oakland High School Siegal High School Stewarts Creek High School Participating Sumner County schools Beech Senior High School Gallatin Senior High School Hendersonville High School Merrol Hyde Magnet School Portland High School Station Camp High School Sumner County Middle College High School Westmoreland High School White House High School Participating Williamson County schools Brentwood High School Centennial High School Franklin High School Fred J Page High School Independence High School Nolensville High School Ravenwood High School Summit High School Participating Wilson County schools
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tennessee leads nation in FAFSA completion
Tennessee students lead the nation in completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, according to the nonprofit National College Attainment Network. The ranking was announced in a May 21 news release from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, which hailed the ranking as "a major milestone" as the state works to ramp up access to higher education. The application isn't just for securing federal aid — it's also required for all students who wish to receive any form of financial aid for college, including scholarships, grants and other assistance. "This recognition reflects the hard work of our schools, counselors, and communities across the state," commission director Steven Gentile said in the release. "Being number one in the nation shows what's possible when we prioritize student access to financial aid and higher education." The news comes after a federal overhaul of the FAFSA led to glitches and delays for students nationwide last year. The issues left financial aid decisions in limbo for millions. The commission also named 158 high schools statewide as "FAFSA Champions" for the 2024-25 school year in its annual FAFSA Challenge. The winning schools have a 90% or higher FAFSA completion rate or logged at least 5% in year-over-year growth for completion rates. See the complete list of Tennessee's FAFSA Champions and learn more at This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee leads nation in FAFSA completion
