FAFSA and TN Promise Information for Class of 2027
August 4, 2026
TN Promise
CMCSS Seniors may be eligible to apply for the TN Promise. As explained by the TN Higher Education Commission & Student Assistance Corporation, “Tennessee resident/U.S. citizen/eligible non-citizen/students who graduate from an eligible high school, homeschool, or earn a GED/HISET (prior to 19th birthday) can receive an award at an eligible postsecondary institution toward tuition and mandatory fees after all other gift aid has been first applied.”
Several eligibility requirements apply, including:
- Students must attend mandatory meetings and participate in a mentoring program.
- College students must attend full-time and continue participating in the mentoring program.
- Students must perform 8 hours of community service prior to each term the award is received.
Learn more about eligibility requirements here.
To access the TN Promise application, click here. The deadline for seniors to apply for the TN Promise is November 2, 2026.
Resources for parents and guardians.
STOP. DROP. FAFSA Event – February 1-5, 2027
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
All CMCSS high schools will host a Stop, Drop, FAFSA event February 1-5, 2027. School leaders will help students understand the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process, answer questions regarding the application, and assist with the next steps.
Confusion surrounding the FAFSA application process is one of the most common reasons students do not fill out the forms. School leaders encourage all CMCSS Seniors to complete the application to know of any available aid. Many colleges, universities, and technical schools require completion of the FAFSA as part of the admission process, whether students qualify or not. The TN Promise requires completion of the application by April 1, 2027.
For families who may have questions or need additional assistance understanding the application process, CMCSS has several helpful resources.
Families can find information from studentaid.gov concerning the 2027-2028 FAFSA.
FAFSA Night – March 24, 2027
Wednesday, March 24, 2027
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Central Services South (1312 Highway 48, Clarksville)
Are you ready to take the next big step in your educational journey? Join us for an informative evening dedicated to helping you and your family navigate the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.) Whether you’re a student preparing for college or a parent supporting your child’s academic aspirations, FAFSA Night is an essential event for unlocking financial aid opportunities and making higher education accessible.
Personalized Guidance: Our team of financial aid experts will be on hand to provide one-on-one assistance, walking you through the FAFSA application process step by step.
If you have questions, email Dr. Becky Padgett, [email protected], or Leslie Parreco, leslie@[email protected].
Help for Families
FAFSA line-by-line webinars
Periodically throughout the spring semester, the CollegeforTN Outreach team will conduct a live demonstration of the 2027–2028 FAFSA. Parents, students, and college access professionals must register to watch at https://www.collegefortn.org/events/category/student-webinars/.
Phone Helpline: Students and family members can schedule a time to speak with a live person who can provide assistance regarding the application process. Live support is available by clicking Schedule a call with a FAFSA expert.
Video Tutorials: Understand the FAFSA process better by watching the videos at YouTube.com/FederalStudentAid.
Text Helpline: Students and parents can text FAFSA to 335577 to receive mobile support from “Get Schooled.” The mobile program assists students with a variety of services.
Video Tutorials: Assistance is available from collegefortn.org with a video instructional series.
Prior to Filling out the FAFSA: How to Create an FSA ID
Antes de completar la FAFSA 2025-2026: Cómo crear una FAFSA ID
Part 1: Introduction to the 2024-2025 FAFSA Student Application
Part 2: Student Personal Circumstances
Part 4: Student Financials & Colleges
Email Support: Families can receive support from the state FAFSA support team ([email protected]) or the CMCSS FAFSA support team ([email protected].)