NASHVILLE, TN – April 2, 2024 – The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has designated April 1-5, 2024, as “Finish the FAFSA Week.” This initiative urges all high school seniors and their families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before May 15 to maintain eligibility for up to two years of tuition-free college through the Tennessee Promise program.
Completing the FAFSA is crucial for making college more affordable. Students who submit the FAFSA are more likely to enroll in higher education, persist in their studies, and earn a degree or credential.
Despite a national decline in FAFSA submissions, Tennessee currently ranks seventh in the country and first in the Southeast for current FAFSA submission, with 40.7% of Tennessee high school seniors completing the FAFSA, according to the National College Attainment Network. Even with submissions significantly lower than past years, the “Finish the FAFSA Week” campaign aims to inspire students to complete this important form and access potential financial aid opportunities.
“To the students and families affected by this year’s FAFSA delays, it is not too late to complete this important step,” Dr. Steven Gentile, Executive Director of THEC, addressed students and parents as they persist in their college planning despite challenges with the FAFSA. “We assure you that the financial aid you are eligible for will be there when you finish the FAFSA.”
Several measures have been taken to streamline the FAFSA completion process for Tennesseans. These initiatives include more live webinars, extensive communications, and increased outreach to school staff who assist students with their FAFSAs. Additionally, the deadline for the Tennessee Promise FAFSA has been extended to May 15 to align with the delayed opening of the FAFSA compared to previous years.
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission and Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation have curated a range of resources available at CollegeforTN.org to bolster FAFSA completion efforts in Tennessee. Resources for students and parents feature detailed step-by-step directions and instructional videos for completing the FAFSA. School resources include guides specifically designed to help schools assist their student populations and strengthen their FAFSA completion rates.
To the students and families affected by this year’s FAFSA delays, it is not too late to complete this important step. We assure you that the financial aid you are eligible for will be there when you finish the FAFSA.
We are also here to help. It’s our job to ensure you never feel alone on this journey. If you have questions along the way, we are here to help. Call the THEC FAFSA Hotline at 1-800-342-1663 for FAFSA completion assistance.
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The Tennessee Higher Education Commission was created in 1967 by the Tennessee General Assembly. The Commission develops, implements, evaluates postsecondary education policies and programs in Tennessee while coordinating the state’s systems of higher education, and is relentlessly focused on increasing the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary credential.