Tennessee Makes Good on a Promise by Making Community College Free for Adults

Last month we noted that Tennessee was looking to expand its efforts to offer tuition-free access to state community colleges to include adult students as well. Last week, state lawmakers approved the legislation to expand that access, through its Tennessee Promise program, providing new education opportunities to thousands of students.

AS CNN notes, students who take advantage of the program will save about $3,700. The program expansion will cost the state $10 million, which will be funded by the state’s lottery. 

Tennessee’s push to increase access to higher education has drawn considerable attention nationwide, as other states look to provide their own tuition-free initiatives. As The New York Times points out, New York can learn from Tennessee as it implements its own scholarship program, which extends free tuition to four-year universities but also has more qualifications recipients must meet, including a controversial residency requirement.  

To read full coverage about Tennessee Promise on CNN, click here.