Internet Explorer 11 is not supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.

Free Tuition, Tennessee Discovers, Isn't Enough

Free tuition isn't enough to get many Tennessee students to enroll in college, according to a new report.

Free tuition isn't enough to get many Tennessee students to enroll in college, according to a new report.

 

Transportation, "inflexible" class schedules and lost work time are among the barriers cited in the report on struggles students face in different regions of the state. The report, "Room to Grow," was released Monday by advocacy group Complete Tennessee. 

 

The roll-out of Tennessee Promise and Tennessee Reconnect — programs that eliminate community college tuition for high school students and adults, respectively — led many to believe the ”problem was solved,” said Kenyatta Lovett, executive director of Complete Tennessee.

 

But conversations at nine round-table meetings across the state revealed the enduring struggles that still keep people from setting foot on campus.

 

“Everyone had a different set of concerns,” Lovett said.

Caroline Cournoyer is GOVERNING's senior web editor.
Special Projects