A Tennessee nonprofit that works in tandem with a major state scholarship program is looking for mentors for high school students.
tnAchieves is looking for 4,300 mentors to register by October 20, “to provide local encouragement and guidance to students statewide,” according to its website.
“tnAchieves is a 501c3 non-profit organization that serves as the partnering organization to the TN Promise scholarship in 83 Tennessee counties. tnAchieves began in 2008 as knoxAchieves with the mission of providing students with last-dollar scholarships supported by mentor guidance,” its website says. “Since then, tnAchieves has grown to become a nationally-recognized leader in college access and success. This report will provide insight to the suite of student-focused programs that ensure students have access to a fully-supported pathway to college graduation.”
According to the organization, its mentors are responsible for inspiring high school students to pursue a post-secondary school pathway that will eventually lead to a “meaningful career,” engaging the community to help students to network, and providing direction and advice for students transitioning from high school to college.
“Mentors invest 12 hours annually assisting 8-10 high school seniors,” according to the organization. “tnAchieves has designed the mentor role so that even the busiest executive, parent or young professional can make a meaningful impact.”
Potential mentors can apply here.
tnAchieves works with the TN Promise scholarship fund, which has recently been in the news for its expansion.
“The University of Tennessee System announced plans to extend the qualifying income level for UT Promise scholarship recipients once again, this time from $60,000 to $75,000 (adjusted gross income),” the school said on its website in August. “The university increased the income level from $50,000 to $60,000 in 2021. The announcement was made as UT System President Randy Boyd prepares to tour high schools across the state for the fourth UT Promise tour.”
The university system also recently implemented criteria for automatic admission into at least one of the University of Tennessee system schools, as reported by The Tennessee Star.
Those criteria are:
- Students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school’s graduating class
- Students who graduate with a 4.0 grade point average
- Students who graduate with at least a 3.2 grade point average and who score at least 23 on the ACT college admissions test or who score at least 1130 on the SAT college admissions test
– – –
Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on X / Twitter.
