Whether you have been to college before, or this is your first time, you are just a few steps away from achieving your educational goals.
The TN Reconnect Grant is a last-dollar grant that allows all Tennessee adults who qualify to attend an eligible institution free of tuition and mandatory fees.
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and be classified as an independent student
- Apply to ChattState
- Complete Reconnect Success Plan in the TSAC Student Portal
- Be a Tennessee resident for at least one year prior to the FAFSA submission date
- Not have previously earned an associate or baccalaureate degree
- Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Comply with United States selective service requirements, if applicable to the student
- Not be in default on a student loan program
- Not have an outstanding balance of previously awarded financial aid to an institution
- Not be incarcerated
- Be admitted to an eligible institution and enrolled at least part time (minimum 6 hours) in courses leading to a certificate or associate degree
When applicants apply for the TN Reconnect, they will be asked a series of questions to help the TN Higher Education Commission (THEC) identify challenges they may face when returning to school as an adult, and the next steps they may be required to take. Students’ answers to the questions will generate a Reconnect Success Plan for each student – a “map” of resources personalized for their needs.
The Reconnect Success Plan is available through the student's local TN Reconnect Community (TRC), which will be assigned to them.
THEC and the TRCs will administer and oversee participation in the Reconnect Success Plan.
No.
At any of the state’s 13 community colleges, 27 colleges of applied technology, and other eligible institutions:
TN Reconnect is a last-dollar grant. Meaning it will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees charged to all students.
At eligible four-year institutions:
TN Reconnect will not represent a last-dollar grant. Meaning some fees may still be incurred by the student.
Yes. To continue to be eligible for TN Reconnect, students must:
- attend and complete each semester at least as a part-time student (minimum 6 hours)
- maintain a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA at the end of each academic year
- maintain continuous enrollment (fall & spring) at an eligible institution
- complete FAFSA renewal each year
- continue to participate in the Reconnect Success Plan
All tuition waivers and discounts must first be deducted before the TN Reconnect amount is awarded.
The TN Reconnect amount will be up to the last dollar of tuition and mandatory fees charged to a student after Pell, TSAA, and TELS have been applied.
No. If a student loses grant eligibility due to GPA, then the student is not eligible to regain the award.
However, a student can appeal the loss of eligibility for reasons other than GPA. The appeal process will follow the TELS appeal process.
Students can receive the award until either of the following events first occurs:
- the student has attained a degree or certificate in an eligible program of study
- five (5) years have passed since the date of initial enrollment as a Tennessee Reconnect student
Yes. A determination of maximum time frame includes only those hours which are eligible for transfer into the new program, whether the hours were earned as a TN Reconnect student or prior to enrollment.
Although SAP is not considered for eligibility, maximum time frame will be impacted by the hours eligible for transfer into the program of study.
Yes. Following completion of a certificate that directly leads to an associate degree, students may continue to receive the TN Reconnect grant as they pursue the associate degree.
Yes, as long as the student continues to meet all eligibility requirements.
Yes, students who have an approved medical or personal leave of absence may continue to receive the TN Reconnect grant upon resuming the eligible program of study, so long as all other eligibility requirements have been met.
A student may drop from full-time to less than full-time, but may not drop from part-time to less than part-time enrollment.
The student who loses eligibility will have the opportunity to appeal to the institution and, if denied, appeal to the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC).
Yes. Prior completion of a TCAT certificate or degree would not disqualify a student from receiving the TN Reconnect grant.
When students first apply for the TN Reconnect grant, they are asked a series of questions that will generate a Reconnect Success Plan – a “map” of resources personalized to their needs.
To maintain grant eligibility, students must complete this questionnaire annually. This will ensure that students are provide the best, most accurate, and up to date resources.
Visit the TSAC Student Portal, which you used to first apply for the grant.
Contact the Financial Aid office.