Senior students graduating with the Class of 2015 can now apply for the Tennessee Promise scholarship, which will provide two years of tuition-free education at any technical school or community college in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Promise scholarship is a great opportunity for the Class of 2015, and one that should be taken advantage of by every graduating senior. The scholarship offers these seniors two years of free tuition, as well as providing a mentoring program required to help each student through their first two years. The students will be partnering with one of three organizations that will provide mentors for the program: TN Achieves, The Ayers Foundation and REDI. Working with these organizations could potentially lead to future connections and even bigger opportunities for those who complete the program.
The scholarship also requires eight hours of community service per semester. This is a great way to get involved in the community surrounding the community college or technical school providing the scholarship. Some students may not like the idea of doing community service hours, but if they take this project seriously, they can meet important people for their future and make connections and good impressions that may open a door in their future.
Seniors graduating in 2015 should take this opportunity and better themselves as well as Tennessee. In addition, underclassmen who are currently enrolled in college should consider looking further into the Tennessee Promise.
It is not too late to meet the deadline to serve as a mentor for the Tennessee Promise. Mentors are a crucial component of the program. These are the people who will help shape and lead the incoming college freshman to success. The deadline to apply is November 1, and mandatory mentor training must be completed by December 1. Any one who is over the age of 21 can apply. Mentors must attend mandatory meetings in January and March, as well as contact students at least once every two weeks from the following January through December.
The Tennessee Promise is a great way to get involved for those of us who are or have been through a college system to help guide the future of Tennessee and of our country. It is also a great opportunity for the Class of 2015 to show that we want to better not only our state or country, but also ourselves in pursuit of a higher education.
For more information on how students can apply, information for parents, or how to become a mentor, go to tennesseepromise.gov.
I strongly encourage anyone and everyone to look into doing what they can to help this program and the future of our country succeed.
