DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Palus Politicus Students In Tennessee Now Have A Shot At Free Four-Year College

High-achieving students coming from families that make $50,000 or less will soon be able to attend the University of Tennessee for free.

UT President Randy Boyd announced today the system is launching a new financial aid program — called UT Promise — which will begin in the Fall of 2020 and cover tuition and fees.

Under Tennessee Promise, any student can attend a 2-year community college for free. But this scholarship can help students go to a four year institution, says system President Randy Boyd.

"There were many of them that had the dream of being an architect or an engineer or something that requires a four-year degree," said Boyd. "But they didn’t think they had the finances to seek that option. So this will provide that option for those students too."

To be eligible, low-income students must qualify for the HOPE Scholarship, which requires a minimum ACT score of 21. Boyd said that shouldn't be hard for students to get, because the average ACT score throughout the system is much higher.

Boyd says the HOPE Scholarship also offsets the cost of the UT Promise program, which covers tuition and fees only after other aid has been applied.

"We’re going to be creating an endowment sometime in the next 60 days. In the interim, universities across the system are able to find other savings to be able to cover these costs," said Boyd.

Tennessee Promise has come under scrutiny for only covering tuition, leaving students with unmanageable housing and textbook costs. Estimated costs for room and board alone at UT Knoxville is more than $11,000.

Boyd says there are other sources of aid available for students to offset those costs as well.

"There will be some students whose scholarship will be greater than the tuition and fees and they'll have extra funds to be able to cover room and board," said Boyd.

Students in the program will be matched with mentors and must complete four hours of community service each semester. Both new and existing students will qualify across all of the college's campuses.

https://www.nashvillepublicradio.org/pos...ollege#stream/0

As it should be. In reality it it should extend further. The University of Tennessee has a 1.298 billion dollar endowment. They could afford to give away education to everyone if they chose to.

I think people should actually look at it in a positive light. I mean a billionaire could give away all of his money, if he wanted to be broke.

Sorry if my tone was misconstrued. I really am glad that UT is doing this. This type of thing would have helped my family back in my college years. Tennessee has been leading the way it seems in this department. First with their 2 year college program. Now this. I hope other states see the benefits of an educated populace and follow suit.
I guess my undertone of this being false act of charity was maybe too forward. Lol. The truth is ultimately... they can afford this... and then some.
It doesn’t change the fact that they are doing it. Good on them.

I always try to point out how much Tennessee is doing because of how Republican the state is. I know this latest act is being done by the university and not the state, but still, the state is giving two free years of community college.

It flies in the face of the standard GOP talking points about free college. Some people scream socialism when the fact is if you want to attract great jobs going into the future, you're going to need an educated population.

Some people can see it for what it is. An investment for the future. Some are too busy trying to make political points to see that. The future of our nation's economy depends on it and some people can't see the forest for the trees.

Pit that’s amazing what your state is doing.

Which y’all wasn’t out there honoring the OG of grand wizards, but this is really cool.

You're starting to sound like Trump. Not all of Baltimore is a slum. Not all of Tennessee is a bunch of rednecks.

I just hope they don't take their shot with a AR/AK.

did you state honor a grand wizard or didn't they?

unless trump is stating facts, then i dont know how i can sound like trump, since what i stated was indeed a fact.

your state did what....pit? or do i need to post a link? i know it aint all, but the majority voted for the governor, did they not?

anyways, like i said, its cool what they are doing for students going to college. first it was two year, now a chance for a complete full ride. awesome stuff.