MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- The number of students applying for free community college classes using Gov. Bill Haslam’s Tennessee Promise initiative has grown to more than twice initial projections.
The Tennessean reports state officials had expected about 20,000 students to participate, but with one week remaining in the registration period nearly 45,000 have applied. That number represents about two-thirds of this year’s high school graduating class.
Tennessee Board of Regents Chancellor John Morgan says it remains to be seen just how many of those students will actually complete the application process and begin classes next fall. But says he's pleased that so many more students - who in the past would never have considered going to college - will consider it now.
“Those students will come to us, those students will be more than likely first generation college goers, more than likely they’ll come from lower income households, and we will position ourselves to help support those students so they can be successful.”
Morgan says having so many students opting for free classes at the state’s community colleges will cause an enrollment drop at Tennessee’s four year public universities, but he suggests that drop may be offset in years to come if more students choose to go on and work toward a four year degree.