17 verified resources.
17 Resources
1. Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) — Free
State agency administering Tennessee's major financial aid programs including Tennessee Promise free tuition, Tennessee Reconnect for adults, HOPE Scholarship, Need-Based Supplemental Award, and the Tennessee Student Assistance Award. Serves high school students, adult learners, and college students statewide. Students must complete the FAFSA each year to access most programs. Contact TSAC or visit tn.gov/collegepays for application deadlines and eligibility requirements.
615-741-1346 · 312 Rosa L Parks Ave, Suite 1950, Nashville, TN 37243 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
2. Tennessee Promise — Free
Last-dollar scholarship providing two years of free tuition at any Tennessee community college or Tennessee College of Applied Technology for high school graduates. Covers tuition and mandatory fees after other gift aid is applied. Students must complete the FAFSA, apply during their senior year, complete eight hours of community service, and meet with a mentor. No minimum GPA is required to apply, though good academic standing must be maintained while enrolled.
615-741-1346 · Apply online during senior year · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
3. Tennessee Reconnect — Free
Free last-dollar tuition program for Tennessee adults 18 and older who do not have a college degree, enabling them to earn an associate degree or technical certificate at a Tennessee community college or Tennessee College of Applied Technology. Requires completion of the FAFSA each year. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress. Apply online at tn.gov/reconnect or contact TSAC for help with the application and financial aid process.
615-741-1346 · Apply online · Online 24/7
4. Federal Student Aid / FAFSA — Free
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid each year unlocks Pell Grants, federal student loans, work-study, and Tennessee state aid programs including Promise, Reconnect, and HOPE for eligible Tennessee students. Filing is always free at studentaid.gov. Students should gather their Social Security number, tax records, and bank statements before starting. Students without a Social Security number should check eligibility requirements. FAFSA opens October 1 each year.
1-800-433-3243 · Online resource · Phone Mon-Fri 8am-11pm ET; online 24/7 · Visit Website
5. Nashville State Community College — Paid
Nashville's community college offering affordable associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce training programs across multiple campuses with flexible day, evening, and online scheduling designed for working adults and parents. Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, and HOPE Scholarship eligible. Prospective students should contact admissions to learn about testing, placement, financial aid, and childcare resource referrals available to enrolled parents.
615-353-3333 · 120 White Bridge Pike, Nashville, TN 37209 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
6. Southwest Tennessee Community College (Memphis) — Paid
Memphis community college offering affordable associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce development programs at two campuses with day, evening, and online options for adult learners and working parents. Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, and HOPE Scholarship eligible. Prospective students should contact admissions about placement testing, financial aid options, and support services available for parents and adult learners returning to school.
901-333-5000 · 5983 Macon Cove, Memphis, TN 38134 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
7. Pellissippi State Community College (Knoxville) — Paid
Knoxville-area community college offering 90+ associate degree and certificate programs at five campuses with financial aid, adult learner support, and flexible scheduling options. Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, and HOPE Scholarship eligible. Prospective students should contact admissions for placement testing, advising, and financial aid guidance. Working parents should ask about evening and online course availability and student support services.
865-694-6400 · 10915 Hardin Valley Rd, Knoxville, TN 37932 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
8. Tennessee Adult Education / GED Programs — Free
Free adult education programs across Tennessee helping adults earn their GED or HiSET credential, improve reading and math skills, and prepare for college or workforce training. Classes are offered at schools, libraries, and community colleges statewide with many evening and weekend options for working adults. Contact your local school district or American Job Center to find nearby programs. No income verification is required; bring photo ID to enroll.
Programs statewide at schools and colleges · Varies; many offer evening classes
9. American Job Center - Education & Training — Free
Tennessee's workforce system providing free career counseling, skills assessments, occupational training scholarships through WIOA, GED and basic skills program referrals, and education planning for adults seeking new careers or credentials. Centers are located across all major Tennessee cities. Visitors should bring photo ID, Social Security card, and proof of any current employment or unemployment benefits to the initial appointment.
American Job Centers across Tennessee · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm
10. Tennessee HOPE Scholarship — Free
Merit-based scholarship for Tennessee high school graduates meeting a 3.0 GPA or 21+ ACT score requirement. Covers tuition at Tennessee public colleges and universities and provides a partial award at eligible private institutions. Students must complete the FAFSA each year and maintain satisfactory academic progress to renew the award. Apply through TSAC; the award is renewable for up to five years of full-time undergraduate study.
615-741-1346 · Apply through FAFSA and TSAC · Online 24/7
11. Chattanooga State Community College — Paid
Chattanooga-area community college offering affordable associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce development programs at multiple locations with day, evening, and online options for working adults. Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, and HOPE Scholarship eligible. Prospective students should contact admissions about placement testing, financial aid, and student support services. Working parents should ask about evening class schedules and available childcare resources.
423-697-4400 · 4501 Amnicola Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37406 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
12. Volunteer State Community College (Gallatin) — Paid
Community college north of Nashville serving Sumner County and surrounding Middle Tennessee communities with affordable associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce development programs. Day, evening, and online course options are available for working adults. Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, and HOPE Scholarship eligible. Prospective students should contact admissions about placement, financial aid, and advising before enrolling.
615-452-8600 · 1480 Nashville Pike, Gallatin, TN 37066 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
13. Motlow State Community College — Paid
Multi-campus community college serving south-central Tennessee with locations in Tullahoma, Smyrna, Fayetteville, and McMinnville offering affordable associate degrees, technical certificates, and workforce programs. Day, evening, and online options available for working adults and parents. Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, and HOPE Scholarship eligible. Contact admissions for placement, financial aid, and advising information before enrolling.
931-393-1500 · 5002 Motlow College Blvd, Lynchburg, TN 37352 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
14. Roane State Community College (Harriman) — Paid
Community college serving the Cumberland Plateau and East Tennessee with affordable associate degrees, technical certificates, and strong university transfer programs at multiple campus locations. Day, evening, and online options support working adults. Tennessee Promise, Tennessee Reconnect, and HOPE Scholarship eligible. Prospective students should contact admissions about placement testing, financial aid, advising, and transfer pathways before enrolling.
865-354-3000 · 276 Patton Ln, Harriman, TN 37748 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
15. Austin Peay State University (Clarksville) — Paid
Public university in Clarksville offering bachelor's and graduate degrees across a wide range of disciplines with nationally recognized support for military families and veterans from nearby Fort Campbell. Online and evening programs are available for working adults. Prospective students should contact admissions for information on military tuition benefits, HOPE Scholarship eligibility, financial aid, and the Fort Campbell Center for military-connected students.
931-221-7011 · 601 College St, Clarksville, TN 37044 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
16. Tennessee College of Applied Technology — Paid
Network of 27 technology centers across Tennessee offering career certificates and technical diplomas in high-demand fields such as welding, HVAC, healthcare, cosmetology, and information technology at affordable tuition rates. Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect eligible. Open-entry scheduling allows students to start anytime. Contact the nearest campus for program availability, financial aid, and enrollment requirements. Bring photo ID and high school diploma or equivalent.
27 campuses statewide · Mon-Fri; hours vary by campus · Visit Website
17. Tennessee Achieves - Promise Mentoring — Free
Mentoring component of the Tennessee Promise program matching first-year community college students with trained volunteer community mentors for academic guidance, goal-setting, and program completion support. Mentors meet with students throughout the first year to provide encouragement and connect students to campus and community resources. Participation is required for Tennessee Promise scholarship renewal. Students are matched through their enrolled community college or technical school.
Statewide through community colleges · Varies by location · Visit Website