Have you thought about finishing your degree or maybe you’ve thought about going to a tech school because you’re ready for a change in your career? Being a resident of Tennessee has many perks and one of those perks is a free education.

Tennessee Reconnect is an initiative to help more adults return to higher education to gain new skills, advance in the workplace, and fulfill lifelong dreams of completing a degree or credential.

The Tennessee Reconnect Grant is available for eligible adults that have lived in Tennessee for at least one year, who want to pursue an associate degree, technical degree or technical diploma at a Tennessee Community college or technical college.

Attending a Technical School:

The Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Reconnect Grant can help you pay towards a diploma or certificate at a TCAT institution. TCATs are located throughout the state and provide a wide range of technical and occupational training programs. You can find more information about TCAT programs here.

Working toward an Associate Degree:

The Reconnect Grant may also be used at Tennessee Community Colleges and some four-year institutions to pay for tuition while earning a two-year associate degree. The grant pays the remaining balance after other state financial aid and Pell Grants have been applied towards tuition and fees at the community college.At a four year institution, the Tennessee Reconnect Grant will not be last-dollar, meaning it will not cover all tuition and fees. The amount of funding you may receive will be based on the average amount of tuition and fees at a community college. Roane State Community College is one option where you could further your education with the Reconnect Grant. The school offers a wide range of degrees and certificate programs. There are several other schools within a short drive of Anderson County where the Reconnect Grant could also be utilized.

Free Education for Your Children

If you have children that will be graduating from a Tennessee high school or receiving a GED, they are also eligible for a free education.Tennessee Promise provides Tennessee high school graduates the opportunity to attend a community or technical college free of tuition and mandatory fees.

Tennessee Promise is both a scholarship and mentoring program that began in 2015. It will provide students a last-dollar scholarship, meaning the scholarship will cover tuition and fees not covered by the Federal Pell grant, the TN Education Lottery Scholarship, and the TN Student Assistance Award. Students may use the scholarship at any of the state’s 13 community colleges, 27 colleges of applied technology, or other eligible institutions offering an associate’s degree program. While removing the financial burden is key, a critical component of Tennessee Promise is the individual guidance each participant will receive from a mentor who will assist the student as he or she navigates the college admissions process. In addition, Tennessee Promise participants must complete eight hours of community service per term enrolled, as well as maintain satisfactory academic progress (2.0 GPA) at their institution. Please click HERE for more detailed information on the program.