THEC Announces Increase in FAFSA-Filing Rates for Tennessee Promise Applicants: Ranks Number One in Nation

For Immediate Release
Press Release

Media Contact
Jessie Greene, Coordinator of College Access Communications
Jessie.Greene@tn.gov
615-741-1318

NASHVILLE, TN – April 7, 2023 – The Tennessee Higher Education Commission
(THEC) released data today showing an increase in FAFSA-filing rates among
Tennessee Promise applicants over last year. Tennessee is currently the number
one state for FAFSA completion in the nation.

The FAFSA completion rate for Class of 2023 TN Promise applicants attending public
high schools surpassed the prior year on March 1, the FAFSA-filing deadline for TN
Promise eligibility. The completion rate for the Class of 2023 is 74.1%, increasing
from 72.8% in 2022. This increase represents approximately 1,600 additional
students who completed this crucial step in maintaining eligibility for the state’s last-dollar
scholarship program this year.

Tennessee currently ranks number one in the nation for FAFSA completion, according to
the Form Your Future National FAFSA Tracker sponsored by the National College
Attainment Network (NCAN). Tennessee also leads the nation in the amount of financial
aid awarded per student, awarding over $500 million annually in financial aid to
Tennessee students according to the State Higher Education Executive Officers
Association (SHEEO).

This year also saw a record-breaking number of Tennessee Promise applicants, with
64,612 high school seniors applying for the program by the November 1 deadline. This is
the largest applicant pool in the history of the program.

Research shows that students who complete the FAFSA are far more likely to enroll in
higher education or technical training after high school. Filing a FAFSA is the first step
students must take to apply for most state and federal financial aid for college. To learn
more about college, careers, and financial aid available for students, visit CollegeforTN.org.

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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.