At Karns High School, many seniors attended the College Kickoff where counselors and representatives from various colleges helped them with their applications to jumpstart their futures. This event helped seniors complete their Tennessee Promise applications and guided them through college applications.
The event was a part of college application and exploration month, which happens in Tennessee once per year during September. Each week during the month has a theme. The College Kickoff took place during apply week which was a time where many colleges waived application fees which encouraged more students to apply.
“We invite every senior to come to the library for about 30 minutes,” said Lyndsey Donnell, a counselor at Karns High School, “They will complete their Tennessee Promise application, which is a huge scholarship for two free years of college.”
The Tennessee Promise covers all mandatory fees in every Tennessee community college and TCATs across the state of Tennessee for two years. By removing the cost, many students who would have never even considered going to college have the opportunity to go.
The College Kickoff itself allowed students to apply for colleges and sign up for the Tennessee Promise and FSA. So far 85% of Karns seniors have applied for Tennessee Promise. Additionally over 200 seniors have created their FSA id which is required before completing their fafsa which opens October first.
“Number one for our school, for Karns High School grads, is Pellissippi,” Donnell said.
Pellissippi has nearly a 100% acceptance rate and with its low costs most people see it as the ideal school. TCATs and ETSU are also great options as they are easy to get into and will set you on the correct path. Knox county’s goal is for 80% of students to attend either college, enlist in the military or start a full time job. In 2024, around 70% of students fall into at least one of the three categories.
“Yes, I have applied for and been accepted into ETSU,” said Karley Jones, a student at Karns High School.
Jones said college application month made it easier for her to apply for colleges as many schools waived their application fees. She added that with Fafsa and scholarships tuition became more manageable
“I applied to Pellissippi and i think i applied to ETSU,” said Baylor Sanford, a senior at Karns high school, “Dream college? I don’t think I’d ever get into it, but probably UTK.”
Sanford applied to Pellissippi and a few other schools. The Tennessee promise pays for all 2 years of Pellissippi, which allow for a cost effective transfer into a 4-year college.
“That’s what I’m probably going to end up doing … so just use the Tennessee Promise, then go to utk,” Sanford said.
Through the college kickoff and the hard work of the counselors, students were able to prepare for college and a successful future.
