Frequently Asked Questions

• Any individual who wants to invest 10-15 hours annually assisting 5-10 high school seniors with post-secondary success
• Must be 21 years or older
• Subject to a background check

A tnAchieves mentor must...

• Apply online by October 20 by going here. 
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Pass a background check.
• Complete mandatory mentor training.
• Attend an in-person meeting in December or January with your students.

tnAchieves mentors tell us that they spend less than ONE hour per month, or between 10 and 15 hours annually serving as a resource to our students.

The role is simple but significant as our mentors help our students reach their potential.  At its core, tnAchieves mentors complete an application, choose their preferred high school, complete a one-hour training session, attend a single one-hour meetings and communicate with students every two weeks via email, phone or text as they transition from high school to college. 

tnAchieves designed its mentoring program so even the busiest executive, parent or young professional could make a meaningful impact. 

Each mentor may choose between 5 and 10 high school seniors to guide with post-secondary success. However, mentors may not choose which students they work with.

All tnAchieves mentors must be at least 21 years or older.

In order to become a tnAchieves mentor, you must pass a background check. Your social security number is needed to complete one.

No, a college degree is not required to be a tnAchieves mentor.

We will train you to feel comfortable working with your students if you do not have college experience!

TN Promise is a last-dollar scholarship that provides the opportunity for every Tennessee high school student to earn a post-secondary credential. This also applies to students who complete a GED or HiSET prior to their 19th birthday.

Any high school senior who graduates from a Tennessee eligible high school or completes a Tennessee home school program is eligible to apply. Students will apply in the beginning of their high school senior year and begin working with tnAchieves. To receive TN Promise funds, students must complete the tnAchieves program.

tnAchieves works with 13 community colleges and 27 Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. In addition, there are several 4-year colleges and universities that offer eligible programs. For a complete list, please click here.

TN Promise is a last-dollar scholarship that funds tuition and mandatory fees at eligible TN Promise post-secondary institutions. These funds cannot be used for books, cost of attendance fees or fees associated with a specific program or class.

TN Promise only funds last-dollar tuition and mandatory fees and does not pay for books or other post-secondary expenses (e.g. application fee, program and service fees).

Yes. TN Promise will cover remedial classes if a student should need to take them. If you score below a 19 on the ACT, you might be interested in our Summer Bridge Program.

Students must begin college the fall semester immediately following high school graduation. TCAT students are able to begin in the trimester beginning in May as long as the student has completed service hours by April 1.