Roane State Community College

Finances and the lack of support are two major barriers to higher education in Tennessee.
With the Tennessee Promise, Roane State is breaking down those barriers.

What is the Tennessee Promise?

• It’s a life-changing scholarship program, because the Tennessee Promise offers two-years of tuition-free education at a community college or Tennessee College of Applied Technology
• It’s a mentoring program, because students who sign up for the Tennessee Promise will be assigned a mentor to guide them through applying to college, getting financial aid, registering for classes and succeeding in their courses
• It’s a service and success program, because students who accept the Tennessee Promise will be required to complete eight hours of community service each semester and maintain a 2.0 GPA

How does the scholarship work?

Tennessee Promise is a last-dollar scholarship. That means it will cover tuition and mandatory fees that are leftover after the Federal Pell Grant, Hope Scholarship and Tennessee Student Assistance Award Program (TSAA) have been applied to to your account.

• Mandatory fees are fees that all students must pay, regardless of the courses they choose. Tennessee Promise will pay for mandatory fees. 
• Tennessee Promise will not pay for course-specific fees. Some courses include extra charges. For example, a chemistry class may include a laboratory fee. A physical education class may include a fee for gym membership. A health sciences class may include a fee for lab coats, goggles and latex gloves. These course-specific fees are not covered by Tennessee Promise.

Who is eligible for the scholarship?

Any senior who graduates from an eligible Tennessee high school or home school program and anyone who completes a GED or HiSET diploma before age 19 years of age can apply for funds. Tennessee Promise students who graduate from high school in Spring 2023 must begin college in Fall 2023 to receive funding.

How do students get the scholarship?

To receive the Tennessee Promise scholarships, students must:

• Apply for the Tennessee Promise program by November 1, 2022
• Submit your 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1, 2023
• Apply to Roane State
• Enroll at Roane State in Fall 2023
• Finish eight hours of community service by July 5, 2023
• Complete FAFSA verification requirements

Once you have started college, you must...

• Carry a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester
• Maintain a 2.0 GPA
• Complete and submit 8 hours of community service prior to each semester
• Re-file the FAFSA by established deadline of each year
• Renew your TN Promise scholarship by July 1 of each year 

How will students receive the scholarship?

Tennessee Promise funds will be administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation through higher education institutions. Students will never receive funding directly.

Interested in Roane State?

• Phone: (865) 882-4554
• Email: StudentEnrollment@roanestate.edu