By Betty A. Proctor, Chattanooga State
September 16, 2022 (Chattanooga, TN) — Tennessee Promise opened the door for thousands of high school seniors to attend community college since its inception in the fall of 2015 by providing a last-dollar scholarship to cover tuition and fees not covered by the Pell Grant, HOPE scholarship, or TSAA funds. The Promise, administered by tnAchieves, recently developed COMPLETE grants of up to $1,000 that are available to Tennessee Promise students helping to ensure that unexpected financial burdens are not barriers on their path to college graduation.
The COMPLETE grant serves as additional funding that can cover costs outside of tuition and mandatory fees such as transportation to school, grocery gift card, computer/technology, supplies/tools, rent/utilities, textbooks, or class fees.
To determine eligibility, students must be eligible for a federal Pell grant and TN promise, be enrolled full-time, complete the COMPLETE grant form in its entirety, including any necessary documentation, and connect with your tnAchieves COMPLETE coach.
Qualifying students can be awarded up to $1,000 per academic period (periods reset August 1, December 1, and May 1), and COMPLETE grants are distributed on a first come, first served basis, as funding is limited.
According to Reed Allison, director of Financial Aid at Chattanooga State Community College, students registered for the fall 2022 term that began August 15, were requesting concrete dollar amounts for specific textbooks/supplies.
ChattState’s second 7-week term begins October 10. Students who have not applied for a COMPLETE grant may still be able to receive funds for use until the December 1 reset period. For more information about COMPLETE, call the Financial Aid Office at (423) 697-4402 or visit the tnAchieves COMPLETE page at https://bit.ly/3xrkLv5.