NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee announced it was taking steps to ensure 55% of its residents have a college education by 2025.
The Tennessee Reconnect grant was part of Governor Bill Haslam’s Drive to 55 plan that offered eligible adults the chance to receive training in nursing, cosmetology, early childcare, manufacturing and other programs from a Tennessee College of Applied Technology for free.
The Tennessean reported more than 10,700 adults applied for the grant, exceeding initial estimates by more than 2,000.
The state released the grant application data last week, following Haslam’s statewide campaign encouraging adults to participate.
It will take a few weeks for colleges to know how many applicants ultimately will enroll in classes.
“I’m not at all concerned about the colleges’ ability to meet the challenge,” said the Executive Director of Drive to 55 Mike Krause. “There’s not a college system better positioned in America than our TCAT system.”
The state would pay only tuition and fees that weren’t covered by existing grants and scholarships.
Krause said the grant was projected to cost the state $1.5 million in its first year.
Also, $5 million for extra equipment to accommodate more students at TCAT was set aside in this year’s state budget.
