Tennessee is joining the ranks of states with direct admissions programs by launching a pilot this fall that will automatically offer certain high school students spots at the state’s two- and four-year colleges based on their academic records.
The program, led by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, will pair admissions offers with financial aid information for about half the high school students to test whether that boosts their chances of enrolling.
The TN Direct Admissions Program gives eligible high school seniors early admission to participating Tennessee colleges and universities—before they submit applications—helping students make early and informed choices about their future. That means no application, no application fee, just an admissions decision. Eligible students will begin receiving decision in November 2025.
Participating Schools & Students
230 + participating high schools (randomly selected)
57 in-state colleges and universities – including TCATs, community colleges, and four-year public and private universities
Approximately 41,000 eligible seniors (Class of 2026) from selected high schools will receive personalized letters in November
How it Works
Every eligible student will see admission offers from colleges, universities, and TCATs for the fall of 2026. A subset will also see financial aid estimates, allowing researchers to compare enrollment outcomes between groups that receive differing levels of information.
