Almost 60,000 students statewide applied for TN Promise in the program’s second year. TN Promise provides applicants with a scholarship to attend one of the state’s community or technical colleges tuition free. In Claiborne County 336 students applied for the opportunity, an increase from last year.
Every student that applies also participates in the tnAchieves program. Through this program, students are supported by a volunteer mentor that helps guide them through the college going process. Currently, 29 mentors have registered to participate in Claiborne County, but 19 more are needed by November 20.
The financial component is important, but many of the students in the program are the first person in their family to attend college; therefore, the assistance and encouragement provided by the mentor can be the difference maker. The time commitment is small, about one hour per month, but the impact is significant as volunteers assist students navigating the college-going process and encourage them to reach their full potential.
“Support from the local community is critical for student success as well as the success of the program,” said Krissy DeAlejandro, tnAchieves executive director. “Mentors provide the necessary support system and encouragement that TN Promise students need to be successful.”
In its first year, 308 students from Claiborne County applied for TN Promise. Students who participate are required to complete at least eight hours of community service each semester of college. This creates a culture of giving back and allows the students to explore potential career opportunities within their communities. Since January 2015, nearly 1,300 hours of community service were performed by students locally.
The program does not have GPA or ACT requirements to participate. The universal acceptance policy allows tnAchieves to reach the student who lacks financial support via the state’s lottery scholarship and/or other academic scholarships. This philosophy also ensures the program captures its target student, rather than serving as a supplemental program for students who planned to attend a post-secondary institution without its assistance.
For more information about becoming a mentor, visit www.tnachieves.org or contact Graham Thomas at 615-604-1306 or graham@tnachieves.org. The deadline to apply is November 20.