A record-setting year for Tennessee Promise
Briefly

"We are thrilled to see this level of interest and commitment from the Class of 2025," Steven Gentile, executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, stated. He highlighted how the impressive number of applicants for the Tennessee Promise program exemplifies a shift in the mentality towards higher education among students. This surge signifies both an encouraging trend towards educational aspirations and reflects Tennessee Promise's increasing effectiveness in offering accessible pathways for postsecondary education for all residents."
"The enthusiasm these students are showing for higher education reflects the success of Tennessee Promise and the growing momentum toward making postsecondary opportunities a reality for all Tennesseans," he emphasized, reinforcing the sentiment that such programs not only offer financial assistance but also instill hope and inspiration within communities striving for higher education. This growing interest showcases the program's importance in the educational landscape of Tennessee."
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission’s annual report also revealed that the retention rate for the 2022-23 cohort reached an all-time high of 83.8 percent, representing a notable 2.5% rise from the previous cohort. This statistic illustrates the program's effectiveness in not just attracting students but ensuring they remain engaged in their educational journeys, ultimately leading to better credential attainment and graduation rates across Tennessee."
The report indicated that about 18 percent of the Tennessee Promise students in the 2023-24 cohort chose to first enroll in technical colleges, specifically the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. This marks a significant milestone, as it's the largest share of any cohort, emphasizing a growing recognition of the value of technical and applied education alongside traditional college pathways in meeting workforce demands and student aspirations.
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