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Tennessee Reconnect and Promise. Graduating high school seniors can attend tuition-free. Free tuition for adults.Tennessee Reconnect and Promise. Graduating high school seniors can attend tuition-free. Free tuition for adults.
Online degrees available. Online education gives you flexibility to take classes that fit your schedule.Online degrees available. Online education gives you flexibility to take classes that fit your schedule.

News: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) open for 2025-2026 Academic Year

A graphic of a hand using the FAFSA website on a phone.

Originally published by TBR on December 3, 2024
Republished and updated by Roane State on January 13, 2025

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) announced in December that the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is open for all Tennessee students. The U.S. Department of Education officially released the new form, marking a significant milestone in the financial aid process for prospective college students.

The FAFSA opens the door to state and federal scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid that can kick-start college and career success, including Tennessee Promise. The 2025-26 application is available for current and prospective students applying for financial assistance for the 2025-26 academic year.

"We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible," said Dr. Steven Gentile, Executive Director of THEC. "Filling out the FAFSA unlocks financial opportunities that make higher education attainable, empowering Tennesseans to achieve their goals while strengthening our workforce and communities."

The FAFSA can be accessed online at www.fafsa.gov. Students should gather their financial documents, such as tax returns and W-2 forms, prior to completing the application process. The earlier the FAFSA is submitted, the better the chances of securing maximum financial aid, including state and federal grants.

Despite a challenging season last year due to the delayed federal roll-out of a new FAFSA, Tennessee virtually matched the prior year’s FAFSA completion results and remained the number one state for overall FAFSA completion in the country. With another record-breaking year for new Tennessee Promise applicants, THEC is anticipating another exciting year for FAFSA completion.

To assist in navigating the FAFSA process, THEC has curated a number of resources for students at CollegeforTN.org to support Tennessee’s FAFSA completion efforts. Student resources include step-by-step FAFSA filing instructions and videos.

FAFSA resources are also available on Roane State's website at brotifken.com/fafsa. The Roane State Financial Aid Office also hosts Virtual FAFSA Completion Workshops throughout the year. Students interested in attending one of these sessions should monitor the website and Roane State social media accounts for updates on upcoming workshops.

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is committed to helping students and families navigate the financial aid process. For additional information, resources, and support, visit CollegeForTN.org.

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission was created in 1967 by the Tennessee General Assembly. The Commission develops, implements, and evaluates postsecondary education policies and programs in Tennessee while coordinating the state’s systems of higher education, and is relentlessly focused on increasing the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary credential.

The College System of Tennessee is the state’s largest public higher education system, with 13 community colleges, 24 colleges of applied technology and the online TN eCampus serving approximately 140,000 students. The system is governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

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