CLARKSVILLE, TN – CMCSS has released FAFSA and Tennessee Promise information for students and their families as 2024 nears.

TN Promise

CMCSS Seniors may be eligible to apply for the TN Promise. As explained by the TN Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation, “Tennessee resident/U.S. citizen/eligible non-citizen/students who graduate from an eligible high school, homeschool, or earn a GED/HISET (prior to 19th birthday) can receive an award at an eligible postsecondary institution toward tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has been first applied.”

Several eligibility requirements apply, including:

  • Students must attend mandatory meetings and participate in a mentoring program.
  • College students must attend full-time and continue participating in the mentoring program.
  • Students must perform 8 hours of community service prior to each term the award is received.

Learn more about eligibility requirements here.

To access the TN Promise application, click here. The deadline for seniors to apply for the TN Promise is November 1, 2023.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

All CMCSS high schools host a Stop, Drop, FAFSA event for 12th-grade students. Details on date and time will be provided by your enrolled school.  School leaders help students understand the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, answer questions regarding the application, and assist with the next steps.

Confusion surrounding the FAFSA application process is one of the most common reasons students do not fill out the forms. School leaders encourage all CMCSS Seniors to complete the application to know of any aid available to them. Many colleges, universities, and technical schools require completion of the FAFSA as part of the admission process, whether students qualify or not. The TN Promise requires completion of the application by April 15, 2024.

The 2024-2025 school year application period opens in December 2023. The earlier families apply, the better their chance of receiving financial resources.

There are major changes and improvements to the 2024-2025 FAFSA form. Families can find information from studentaid.gov concerning the new 2024-2025 FAFSA.

For families who may have questions or need additional assistance understanding the application process, CMCSS has several helpful resources.

Help for Families

Email Helpline: Parents and students can email FAFSA@cmcss.net where they will be connected to a CMCSS representative for help and guidance.

Text Helpline: Students and parents can text FAFSA to 335577 to receive mobile support from “Get Schooled.” The mobile program assists students with a variety of services.

Video Tutorials: Assistance is available from StudentAid.gov with a video instructional series.