The Aid Gap: Expanding Tennessee’s Need-Based Aid Can Address Cost as a Barrier to College

As Tennessee reshapes its financial aid system, there is an opportunity to expand need-based aid and improve access and completion of college. Earning a college degree, whether it’s a technical certificate or a bachelor’s degree, should be within reach for every Tennessean. College opens the door to better jobs, higher earnings, and long-term economic mobility. By 2031, 63% of jobs in Tennessee will require education beyond high school, but less than half of Tennesseans have a postsecondary credential. Tennessee has built one of the most robust state financial aid systems in the country, awarding more than $590 million in grant aid to students in the 2024–2025 academic year. But cost remains one of the most significant barriers preventing students from enrolling in and completing college. As a result, how Tennessee distributes financial aid helps determine who can access and complete a college credential.