Tennessee launches automatic college admission in 230 high schools
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Tennessee is launching a first-of-its-kind college program this year that will send thousands of high school seniors automatic college admission letters along with personalized financial aid estimates.
Why it matters: The "direct admissions" effort is meant to slash through the "forest of red tape" students face when navigating college searches, officials said. Participating students won't even have to apply to understand their options at dozens of participating in-state colleges.
- "No applications, no essays, no fees," said researcher Taylor Odle, who is evaluating the experimental program to see how it improves college enrollment.
How it works: The program is in a pilot phase, and will only apply to students in about 230 randomly selected Tennessee high schools for now.
- Students at those schools only need to sign up for the Tennessee Promise program by Nov. 1 to participate. They'll get a letter later that month laying out their college options.
- During the pilot phase, about half of the direct admission letters will include personalized financial aid estimates, including merit-based scholarships students are likely to receive, as well as eligibility for Tennessee Promise, which offers students tuition-free community and technical college.
Yes, but: They'll still have to file the FAFSA to secure need-based federal aid.
Between the lines: During the pilot, researchers will track outcomes to see if including financial aid packages boosts enrollment numbers.
- They'll use their findings to shape recommendations for long-term services in Tennessee and nationwide.
By the numbers: State leaders expect to send direct admission letters to 41,000 high school seniors this fall, telling them which colleges are saving a spot for them.
- Fifty-three in-state colleges and universities are participating. That total includes private and public universities as well as technical and community colleges.
- Colleges will use ACT and GPA thresholds to determine which students qualify.
The big picture: Tennessee has led the effort to improve college access for years. Programs like the Tennessee Promise have inspired policies nationwide.
- The latest pilot program makes Tennessee the first in the nation to combine direct admissions with up-front financial aid estimates.
The bottom line: Complicated applications and financial aid boondoggles can drive students away from considering college.
- Leaders hope that making the process more user-friendly will open up new opportunities, especially for low-income or rural students who are less likely to attend college.
- "This effort is really about removing barriers and shifting the conversation to make it easier for young people," said Tennessee Higher Education Commission director Steven Gentile.
Participating Davidson County schools
- Antioch High School
- Cane Ridge High School
- Glencliff High School
- Hillsboro High School
- Hillwood High School
- Hume-Fogg High School
- Independence Academy High School
- John Overton High School
- KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School
- Knowledge Academies High School
- LEAD Academy
- LEAD Southeast
- Maplewood High School
- Martin Luther King Jr. School
- McGavock High School
- MNPS Virtual School
- Nashville Big Picture High School
- Nashville School of the Arts
- Pearl-Cohn High School
- Republic High School
- The Academy at Hickory Hollow
- The Academy at Old Cockrill
- Valor College Prep
- Whites Creek High School
Participating Rutherford County schools
- Blackman High School
- Central Magnet School
- Eagleville School
- Holloway High School
- Lavergne High School
- Oakland High School
- Siegal High School
- Stewarts Creek High School
Participating Sumner County schools
- Beech Senior High School
- Gallatin Senior High School
- Hendersonville High School
- Merrol Hyde Magnet School
- Portland High School
- Station Camp High School
- Sumner County Middle College High School
- Westmoreland High School
- White House High School
Participating Williamson County schools
- Brentwood High School
- Centennial High School
- Franklin High School
- Fred J Page High School
- Independence High School
- Nolensville High School
- Ravenwood High School
- Summit High School
Participating Wilson County schools
- Green Hill High School
- Lebanon High School
- Mt. Juliet High School
- Wilson Central High School