2013-2014 Mentor and Counselor Handbook

Changing Lives. Transforming Communities.

The mission of tnAchieves is to increase higher education opportunities for Tennessee public high school students by

providing last dollar scholarships with mentor guidance.

2013-2014 Mentor and Counselor Handbook

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Dear tnAchieves Scholar:

Congratulations! You have been selected into the tnAchieves Class of 2014! This program provides you with a unique opportunity to begin a more rewarding life. A post-secondary degree is one significant step to fulfilling your potential.

On behalf of the tnAchieves Board of Directors, we are excited to offer you two years or four consecutive semesters of post-secondary education at a designated community college or college of applied technology.* tnAchieves is a last dollar scholarship of up to $4,000 per year for tuition and fees only. We encourage you to visit the institutions’ websites and campuses to familiarize yourself with all the benefits these schools offer.

As a tnAchieves scholar, you will be assigned a volunteer mentor. This individual is investing in you and your future. It is your responsibility to take advantage of your mentor and/or the program for guidance through the college access process. It is also important to meet deadlines and complete all the requirements. Failure to comply will result in termination of your funding opportunity.

Your first task is to read this handbook. This is your tnAchieves lifeline. It contains all information you need to ensure you remain a tnAchieves scholar. You will find a timeline as well as critical deadlines in this handbook. One very critical deadline to consider is the tnAchieves February 1st Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deadline. tnAchieves will explain how families can meet this deadline at the mandatory January meeting.

Your second task is to attend your first team meeting. Dates, times, and locations are listed on pages 21-23. Please plan to meet your mentor and/or the tnAchieves team at this meeting. We also strongly encourage your parents to attend this meeting as the program’s requirements and provisions as well as the FAFSA will be discussed.

You are required to attend your January meeting as well as your March meeting, New Student Orientation, and September meeting to maintain your scholarship. In other words, work is not an excuse for missing a meeting. Ask off now!

If you have any questions prior to your first meeting, please feel free to visit our website at www.tnAchieves.org or email us at krissy@tnachieves.org.

Again, congratulations! We are so proud of your achievements and look forward to celebrating your future accomplishments! We wish you much success!

Best regards,

Krissy DeAlejandrotnAchieves, Executive Director

*Approved community colleges include: Cleveland State, Dyersburg State, Jackson State, Nashville State, Northeast State, Pellissippi State, Roane State, Southwest Tennessee, Volunteer State, and Walters State.*Davidson County, Hamblen County, Knox County, Meigs County, and Memphis/Shelby County students may also utilize the tnAchieves scholarship for the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology located in their respective counties.

your tnachieves acceptance letter

Mentors: Students will receive their acceptance letter in the mail and their student handbook at their high school in November. They are expected to bring their handbook to all tnAchieves meetings.

counselors:As you know, all public high school seniors are eligible for tnAchieves; however, we seek to give the student the opportunity to attend a post-secondary institution who never believed it was a possibility. Please help us reach first generation students.

Please do not sign up every senior as this makes it difficult for those students who really need a mentor to be paired.

This year, the application is only online. This allows tnAchieves to pair students and mentors in a timely fashion. More importantly, it prepares students for post-secondary life where nearly all communication occurs online.

All applications must be 100% complete. This includes a valid social security number and at least one working email!

If you would like updates on the list of students who have applied, please let us know. We will send you a list in October of the students who applied to the program—this is your chance to let us know if your records differ.

Keep in mind, we are always happy to attend any school events to raise awareness about the program.

Acceptance Letter ...................................................................................................................................1

Purpose of this handbook .................................................................................................................. 3

Step 1: Become a tnAchieves Scholar ............................................................................................. 4

Step 2: October 4 Application Deadline .........................................................................................5

Step 3: Be a Good Mentee ................................................................................................................... 6

Step 4: Attend January Team Meeting ............................................................................................7

Step 5: February 1 FAFSA Filing Deadline ...................................................................................... 8

Step 6: February 15 College Application Deadline .................................................................... 9

Step 7: Attend March Team Meeting ............................................................................................. 10

Step 8: April 12 ACT Deadline .......................................................................................................... 10

Step 9: Attend New Student Orientation (NSO) ........................................................................11

Step 10: June 15 Placement Testing Deadline ............................................................................11

Step 11: June 30 Verification Deadline .......................................................................................... 12

Step 12: July 1 Advising Deadline ................................................................................................... 12

Step 13: July 1 Class Registration Deadline ................................................................................ 13

Step 14: August 1 College Email Setup Deadline...................................................................... 13

Step 15: Begin Classes ......................................................................................................................... 14

Step 16: Attend September Team Meeting ................................................................................ 15

Step 17: December 1 Community Service Deadline ................................................................ 16

Step 18: GPA Meetings ........................................................................................................................17

Step 19: February 1 FAFSA Filing Deadline (Again!) ..................................................................17

Step 20: College Continues! .............................................................................................................. 18

Suggested Mentor Communication........................................................................................19-20

Meeting Schedule by County .................................................................................................... 21-23

Student Information Sheet ............................................................................................................... 24

Policies ...............................................................................................................................................25-26

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historyknoxAchieves began in 2008 as an economic development initiative out of Knox County Mayor Ragsdale’s office. Because of its success, knoxAchieves was charged with the task of expanding the program statewide, thus tnAchieves began in 2011. tnAchieves ultimately seeks to build a strong workforce by increasing educational attainment opportunities across our state. More importantly, we hope to improve a student’s quality of life, increase the value of education in Tennessee, and create more lifelong learners.

tnAchieves has 3 unique components:• Volunteers donate funds to provide

post-secondary education for students who would otherwise lack the opportunity.

• Volunteers serve as mentors to our students to eliminate the barriers associated with college access and success.

• Our scholars volunteer their time by giving back at least eight hours of community service each semester.

2013 Results• 26 counties; 38 school districts; 126

high schools• 23,105 total graduates offered the

scholarship; 43% of Tennessee’s public high school graduates

• 7,802 total applicants• 65% first generation; 69% from

families who earn less than $50,000 • 91% met FAFSA filing deadline• 2,947 entered college• 1,212 mentors trained• Presence in 9 of the 13 community

colleges and 3 technology centers

Class of 2014 Projections• 27 counties; 39 school districts; 146

high schools• 9,500 applicants• 1,900 mentors needed

table of contents

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purpose of this handbook

This handbook is your resource for tnAchieves. Remaining tnAchieves eligible is very simple. You simply need to complete each step provided throughout the handbook. There is a wealth of information in this handbook, but it is not meant to be read all at once.

You will need to bring the handbook to each of your tnAchieves meetings and events. We will be discussing certain steps at each meeting. Every step also has more specific information necessary for a successful transition from high school to a post-secondary institution.

First, familiarize yourself with all the steps necessary to complete the college access and success process. Review the steps in the table of contents so you know which deadlines are approaching. There are just 20 simple steps between you and your brighter future! Do not let the process intimidate or overwhelm you.

Next, go through the handbook one step at a time. This will help ensure you absorb all the information. When you have completed a step, check the box and move on to the next! This eliminates the “I didn’t know” excuse and keeps you on track. tnAchieves understands applying to college is full of deadlines and paperwork. This program exists to assist you with meeting each deadline and completing all paperwork.

If you have questions at anytime, tnAchieves is available for you. The tnAchieves team has worked with thousands of students like you! We want nothing more than to see you reach your potential. Rely on tnAchieves and your mentor to guide you through this process.

do not stuff this handbook in your bag or toss it in your car’s backseat!

read it! use it!

remember, it is your responsibility to complete each step by the established deadline. failure to do

so will result in the loss of your scholarship.

Monday emailsOnce you have been accepted to the tnAchieves program, you will begin to receive Monday emails from the program. These emails are intended to remind you of upcoming deadlines, encourage you to begin checking your email, and ensure we have your correct contact information. If at anytime you are not receiving these Monday emails, it is your responsibility to inform tnAchieves.

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contact informationtnAchieves Mailing Address:10427 Petsafe Way Knoxville, TN 37932

Executive DirectorKrissy DeAlejandro(865) 621-9223krissy@tnachieves.org

Director of ProgramsJackie Hartmann(865) 405-9745jackie@tnachieves.org

Director of College Access Graham Thomas(615) 604-1306graham@tnachieves.org

Director of College SuccessKaci Murley(901) 258-2177kaci@tnachieves.org

East Tennessee Coordinator Amanda Bolden (865) 898-0538amanda@tnachieves.org

College Success CoordinatorAmy Bain(714) 931-2127amy@tnachieves.org

Special Projects CoordinatorMaegan Tribble(502) 345-1790maegan@tnachieves.org

madisonAchieves DirectorLinda Austin(731) 513-1445 fax: (731) 660-2490lindaaustin@madisonachieves.org121 E Main Street, Suite 301Jackson, TN 38301

1. becoMe a tnachieves scholar

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board of directors**

Randal Boyd is the Chairman, CEO, majority shareholder and founder of Radio Systems Corporation. He received a degree from the University of Tennessee in Industrial Management in 1979 and a Masters Degree in Liberal Studies from Oklahoma University in 1988.

Mike Ragsdale is a partner in a consulting company, Tennessee Strategies, LLC. He was elected to serve as Knox County Mayor in 2002 and again in 2006. The first in his family to attend college, he completed a doctorate in education at the University of Tennessee where he also received the Torchbearer award as an undergraduate student.

Rich Ray is co-founder and CFO of 21st Mortgage Corporation. He is the first in his family to receive a college degree due to the encouragement and support of his parents. Rich is a graduate of old East High School and holds an accounting degree from the University of Tennessee.

Tim Williams is co-founder and CEO of 21st Mortgage Corporation. 21st Mortgage is the highest volume lender in the manufactured home industry. In 2003, 21st Mortgage was acquired by Berkshire Hathaway Company. Tim holds a BS and MBA from the University of Tennessee.

Oliver “Buzz” Thomas is the President of the Great Schools Partnership. He was formerly the Executive Director of the Niswonger Foundation. He has a M.Div. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, a JD from the University of Tennessee, and a LLM from the University of Virginia.

**All board members serve as mentors. Combined, they have worked with nearly 125 students since 2008.

tnachieves is...A post-secondary access and success program. This means we help you enter and graduate from a post-secondary institution; in part by providing up to $4,000 annually for community or technical college tuition.

A mentoring program. Once you apply for the program, you are assigned a volunteer mentor to assist you in the college application process.

A statewide program.knoxAchieves began six years ago serving Knox County public high schools. With help from private and grant funds, we are now tnAchieves and have expanded into 27 counties across Tennessee. We began serving our sixth class of graduating seniors in October 2013.

A workforce development program. tnAchieves ultimately seeks to build a strong workforce by increasing educational attainment opportunities across the state. More importantly, we hope to improve your quality of life. In the future, 63 percent of jobs will require more than a high school education. An individual with an associates degree will earn 500 percent more over a lifetime than his/her peers with only a high school diploma.

tnachieves money is...Last Dollar.tnAchieves pays only the balance of your tuition and fees. It is often explained as the amount you would pay following the payment of all other state and federal aid or scholarships.

Up to $4,000 annually.As a tnAchieves student, you begin with a balance of $4,000 each year for college tuition and fees. For example, you may use $1,800 your first semester, leaving a $2,200 balance for the second semester. tnAchieves does not pay in equal quantities like the HOPE scholarship.

Still available if you receive the HOPE scholarship.A full-time student owes a balance to the college each semester even after the HOPE is credited to his/her account. Again, tnAchieves pays the remainder of your tuition and fee balance if you meet all requirements.

Paid directly to the post-secondary institution.You will never receive any money directly from tnAchieves. The money is paid to the post-secondary institution on your behalf.

Not paid until after the class confirmation deadline. The post-secondary institution will bill tnAchieves on your behalf following the drop/add period and after all other funding is credited to your account. This does not happen until late fall. You may receive correspondence from your college saying your classes will be dropped if you do not pay. If you have met all your tnAchieves requirements, the school will not drop your classes. If you pay for these classes, tnAchieves is unable to reimburse, so please be patient, and contact us with any concerns.

Not for books.Book rental programs and online book sites are the best way to save money.

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you are a tnachieves scholar until you fail to meet one of the following requirements: Contact your mentor regularly Attend January team meeting Complete FAFSA by February 1 every year Apply to an approved community college or college of applied technology by Feb 15 Attend March team meeting Complete ACT by April 12 (this requires a March 7 registration deadline) Complete placement testing (if required) by June 15 Complete verification documents by June 30 Get advised no later than July 1 Register for at least 12 hours by July 1 Attend New Student Orientation Set up college email by August 1 Attend September team meeting (after you have entered a post-secondary institution) Complete 8 hours of community service by December 1 and May 1 of every year Maintain a 2.0 GPA

faQsWho signed me up for this? In order to become a tnAchieves Scholar, you completed an online application. Although the application is concise, you are considered a tnAcheves Scholar until you fail to meet one of our mandatory deadlines.

Failure to meet a deadline will result in loss of your scholarship.

It is the student’s responsibility to inform tnAchieves of name, email, address, or phone changes.

How does tnAchieves contact me? tnAchieves communicates all deadlines and opportunities via email. If you change your email or realize you are not receiving emails regularly, it is your responsibility to let tnAchieves know. You will receive an email from tnAchieves every Monday.

What should I do to stay informed?Another good way to stay informed of tnAchieves news is to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @tnachieves.

When will I find out who my tnAchieves mentor is?Your mentor will receive your information in early December. You should hear from them prior to your first meeting. Always feel that you can reach out to your mentor. If you do not hear from your mentor, please contact tnAchieves.

2. oct 4: application deadline

Mentors: Many post-secondary institutions are hosting mentor breakfasts. These are a chance for mentors to get to know each other and to learn more about the college access process. This is a great time to learn more about the colleges and ask questions about being a mentor.

Mentor breakfasts will be held later this fall. Dates, times, and locations will be posted on our website at www.tnachieves.org.

You are currently being trained to work with students beginning in December. You will receive your students in December via email. Returning mentors will need to participate in a web conference to discuss changes.

All mentors receive 5 students. Please do not be intimidated by the number of students. This is a program that assists students to and through college. You will not tutor. You will not file FAFSA. We assign 5 students because many students apply but never follow through with the program.

Your role is to provide guidance and assist the students with meeting deadlines. You are paired with students based on gender. If you are in a county or a high school with a mentor deficit, students with higher need will be paired first.

You are a(n):

• Resource

• Encourager

• Task master

You are not a:

• Person with all the answers

• Best friend

• Parent

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2. oct 4: application deadline 3. be a good Mentee

you should be contacted by your mentor prior to the first meeting!a Mentor is...A trusted counselor or guide.Your mentor will be at each of the team meetings to help you understand tnAchieves and the college application process. Applying to college (and everything that goes with it) can be a scary process. Your mentor can make this journey much less intimidating.

Your resource. Mentors are volunteers that help you transition to college. tnAchieves has team meetings with your mentor to answer questions and alleviate concerns. tnAchieves mentors attend each of the team meetings with the goal of getting to know you and being there when you have questions about tnAchieves and college in general.

Someone who cares about you and your education. Reach out to your mentor often. They want to hear about you and your progress!• Your mentor wants to make your transition from high school to college as smooth as

possible. Your mentor is a volunteer and is donating their time and expertise to YOU! They want you to succeed in college and your career.

• Your mentor is responsible for providing the best advice and guidance possible. You are responsible for acting on that advice and guidance.

• Do not be afraid to ask questions! You are expected to tell your mentor when you need help and guidance. Do not be afraid to communicate with your mentor, not only to ask questions, but also to let them know when you have completed a step in the process. They want to celebrate your progress with you!

guiding principles for MenteesBe responsive.The most important part of being a mentee is responding to your mentor when they reach out to you. Answer your phone! Check your emails DAILY! Respond to your text messages! Your mentor’s job is to inform you of tnAchieves events and deadlines. They should be contacting you frequently throughout your senior year and into your first semester of college.

Get to know your mentor.Although it can be intimidating to work with someone you do not know, he/she wants to help. Take the time to get to know your mentor. tnAchieves mentors have been in your shoes-- they know what it is like to be a high school senior. Ask them to share their story!

Be thankful and kind.Your mentors are volunteering their time and expertise to you because they want you to succeed in college and in your career. Be kind to your mentor!

Ask questions.You are expected to tell your mentor when you need guidance and help. Do not be afraid to ask questions and voice your concerns.

Check your emails daily.In college and the business world, email is the prime vehicle for communicating to students and workers. Make sure those who are working with you are aware of any email address changes. (You can use a free service, like gmail, that allows you to link new addresses to your gmail.com address.)

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Mentors: Students and mentors will be paired prior to sending out acceptance letters. You will receive an Excel file with all the students’ information on it.

Once you receive your list of students, please make initial contact with a parent/guardian by introducing yourself, then with the student explaining that you will be their resource throughout the college access process. Please make this contact PRIOR to the first meeting.

It is important to keep in mind that many parents/guardians will be unfamiliar with the program even though we ask for their signature on the application. Furthermore, not all parents will be engaged in their student’s post-secondary journey.

counselors: tnAchieves will be visiting each school in November to deliver student handbooks.

All students who apply receive a letter in that includes the following:• Student Requirements• Attendance policy (Although in

the past we were more flexible, the program is now enforcing the attendance policy for team meetings.)

• FAFSA information

did your me

ntor c

ontact you via

email?

check!

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team meetings are MandatoryIf you have a documented excuse (see policy #2 on pg. 25), you must complete an excuse form at www.tnachieves.org PRIOR to the meeting. Failure to attend the team meetings will result in the loss of your scholarship! This means work is not an excuse. Ask for the night off! Lack of transportation is also not a valid excuse. Yes, you must attend this meeting if you have already completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your parents/guardians are welcome to attend as well, but they can not attend in your place.

Your mentor is expected to attend the team meetings. If he/she is unable to attend, they are asked to let you know so you are not surprised at the meetings. You can find a complete meeting schedule by high school at www.tnachieves.org and on pages 21-23 of this handbook. You will receive an email reminder as well as school announcement reminders.

SNOW POLICY: If your school is cancelled or released early due to snow, tnAchieves will reschedule your meeting. It is your responsibility to visit www.tnachieves.org to find the new date for your team meeting.

the January meeting will explain...tnAchieves and your requirements as a tnAchieves Scholar. At the January team meeting, you will sit with your mentor and get to know him or her for the first few minutes. Then, a tnAchieves representative will speak to the whole group about what tnAchieves is and your requirements as a tnAchieves Scholar.

Meeting your mentor and establishing the best form of communication. Establishing how you and your mentor will communicate in the future is extremely important in order for your relationship to continue. Tell your mentor the best way to contact you whether it is by phone, text message, email, Facebook, or anything else! Many of our mentors get frustrated with their mentees because they fail to answer when the mentor reaches out. A simple “thanks” will often suffice.

FAFSA and why it is important to complete it before February 1. The February 1 FAFSA filing deadline is one of the most important deadlines enforced by tnAchieves. FAFSA is also one of the most intimidating parts of the college access process, so tnAchieves tries to eliminate some of the questions associated with FAFSA during the January meeting. tnAchieves will also inform you of FAFSA days held at the community colleges to assist you in filing.

summer bridge programThe Summer Bridge Program is a FREE three-week summer program designed to help incoming students that require learning support classes.

Who is eligible? Any student who is required to take learning support classes. Students will require learning support if their ACT sub scores fall below the following: 19 in math, 19 in reading and 18 in English. Is this required? No. The Summer Bridge Program is a voluntary program for students who want to begin school on a more college-ready level both academically and socially.Where is it offered? Pellissippi State, Walters State, and Cleveland StateHow do I sign up? You must complete an application and essay available at www.tnachieves.org. The Summer Bridge Program has limited enrollment, so sign up early if you are interested.When is the Summer Bridge Program? The program will be held in June or July (depending on your campus of choice). Every program is Monday through Friday for four hours each day. If you sign up, you must be present the entire three weeks!

4. January: teaM Meeting

Mentors: We certainly cannot force mentors to attend team meetings; however, your students will be expecting you and may feel left out if they do not have a mentor present. The meetings only last an hour. Please make every effort to keep your commitment to your students.

If you are unable to attend, please let both your student and tnAchieves representative or team leader know. You will receive an email reminder of team meetings. The first team meeting will cover introductions to the program, FAFSA, and program requirements. Complete your student information sheets and establish communication guidelines. Tell your students to respond to your communication, even if it is just “ok” or “thank you”! Many of our mentors get frustrated with their students because they fail to respond. If you set communication guidelines and expectations at the first meeting, they are more likely to get back to you. Have fun getting to know your students at this first meeting.

counselorstnAchieves has confirmed the location before team meetings. Please know that you are always invited to attend the meetings. The students often appreciate a familiar face in the crowd. Counselors who regularly attend also have a greater understanding of the program’s processes.

Please make announcements one week before and the day before the meeting. It is also helpful to post the meeting schedule somewhere visible in the school.

tnAchieves and our mentors will also be reminding students of dates, times, and locations. If a student has a valid excuse, have them visit the website before the meeting to complete an excuse form.

4. January: teaM Meeting 5. february 1: coMplete fafsa

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Mentors:Mentors are not expected to file FAFSA for students. You are not FAFSA experts. Your role is to lessen the intimidation factor often associated with the FAFSA. It is also important to remind your students of the February 1st FAFSA filing deadline and the FAFSA Days that are available for their assistance. These days will be posted on our website. Many high schools also have FAFSA Days that will be posted on our website.

When a student asks a FAFSA question that you feel unsure of the answer, always call tnAchieves! Remember, the appropriate FAFSA web address is www.fafsa.ed.gov.

counselors: Please let us know if your school hosts a FAFSA Day(s), and we will disseminate information to students and parents. We send the SSNs to Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) after February 1 to receive the list of who has/has not met the deadline. Remember, they are processing over 10,000 students manually. We will send you this information as soon as we receive it. If we receive invalid SSNs, we may be requesting these from you.

Students may have questions about FAFSA. Use this handbook as a reference guide, but always feel free to contact tnAchieves if the questions are overwhelming.

how to file fafsaThe Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) allows you to receive financial aid. Filing the FAFSA by February 1st increases the probability that eligible students receive more aid. This also allows you to remain eligible for tnAchieves. It is important to note that the FAFSA is also required for the state’s lottery scholarships as well as the PELL grant.

You will receive an email reminder of the FAFSA filing deadline. There will be several FAFSA Days held at the community colleges. These dates will be given out at the January team meeting but can also be found on our website at www.tnachieves.org.

1. After January 1, 2014, you will visit www.fafsa.ed.gov. This is the official FAFSA site. DO NOT complete the application at www.fafsa.com or any other website that asks you for a fee. FAFSA filing will be free. DO NOT submit the FAFSA prior to January 1st or it will be the wrong year.

2. Make sure to select the 2014-2015 FAFSA application.

3. You and a parent will need to create a PIN number. This is your password to later return to FAFSA to make corrections or update. Make sure to write this in a secure location. If you forget your PIN, this will delay your filing date.

4. It is important you enter the correct social security number. If incorrect, this will lead to future complications with receiving your aid. Triple check that this is correct as it can cause major issues down the road.

5. To ensure you meet the deadline, you can file based on an estimation from the previous year’s tax returns and later correct. You will select “will file.”

6. Even if you are 18 years old, you will need your parents/guardians’ information to complete the FAFSA unless you are married, have children who receive more than half of their support from you, were in foster care, are a ward of the court, are emancipated from your parents, are homeless, and/or have parents who are deceased. All could require documentation from a court.

7. If you feel lost, click inside the answer box. Information will appear on the right side of your computer screen indicating where to find the appropriate answer.

8. At the end, you and your parent will sign your FAFSA electronically using the PIN number you created. You can create your PIN the same day you file.

9. Remember, tnAchieves, your high school, and the community colleges host FAFSA days in January to assist you and your parents with the filing process. Please make arrangements to attend if needed!

10. You need to make sure you select the community or technical college you plan to attend as your first choice! If you change your mind, you must go back in and change it so the post-secondary institution can retrieve your information.

check your email for fafsa day locations if you need help!

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it only takes a few minutes!Most colleges have an easy online application. Take a minute to complete an application. Do not show up for New Student Orientation without having applied to the post-secondary institution of your choice. The schools work hard to gather the information needed to successfully get you through orientation, but they are not able to do this if they do not have your application on file. If you do not have internet access, most colleges will allow you to complete an application on their campus. You will get an email reminder from tnAchieves to complete your application!

other requirements:In order to have a complete application packet, you will be required to turn in the following items to the college:

• ACT Scores.

• Official high school transcript (Must be sent by your high school after graduation.)

• MMR vaccination (This can be done at any doctor’s office or the health department.)

• Chicken Pox Vaccine (2 doses) or proof of immunity from your doctor or the health department (Your doctor or the health department will need to complete a form.)

• Hepatitis B vaccination or completed form (This is a form you sign to certify that you elect not to receive the hepatitis B vaccine. Students under 18 must have parent signature.)

Vaccination forms can be found at the post-secondary institutions or on their websites.

Why community or technical college?Get a Better Job!The more educated you are, the more employable you are! Pursuing a post-secondary education for your generation is more important than it was for your parents’ generation. In the future, 80 percent of the fastest growing jobs in the United States will require at least some post-secondary education.

Make More Money!College graduates make $22,000 more per year than those who do not have a college education.

Meet New People!A college education allows you to meet new people, explore your career interests, and take part in new experiences.

Easier Transition!College is very different from high school. Community and technical colleges are less of a drastic change than four-year colleges.

They Offer Specialized Degrees and Licensing Programs!Community and technical colleges have special programs in areas such as teaching, automotive technology, nursing, culinary arts, and many others that put you on the fast track to a rewarding career.

More Affordable!For full-time students, community colleges in Tennessee cost about $4,000 annually compared to $8,000 for four-year state schools. If you complete your first two years at a community college, you can save 50 percent in tuition and then transfer after you have received an Associate’s Degree!

You Can Complete Your Basic Requirements!Every college student is required to take several basic classes regardless of your major. Community colleges are a great place to take these courses.

Boost Your GPA!Having a good GPA at a community or technical college can increase your chances of not only getting in to a four-year college but also receiving more scholarship money.

6. february 15: application deadline

Mentors: Students are reminded of their application deadline via email, but please connect with them to ensure they have completed the application. If you were at the team meeting in January, you know that we covered most of this at the meeting as well. Students must know where they plan to attend by the March Team Meeting as they are assigned a New Student Orientation date based on their choice.

If your students have questions about the post-secondary institutions, have them visit the websites. The websites are a wealth of knowledge for prospective students (see page 24 for a list of tnAchieves approved post-secondary institutions and their website information).

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8. april 12: coMplete act

in order to take the april 12 act, you must register by March 7.Visit www.actstudent.org to register for testing and find the dates, times and locations available in your area. Students are required to take the ACT by the April 12th deadline. Although there is an ACT offered in June, you will not be able to meet your other deadlines if you wait until June. For example, you are required to register for classes by July 1st. If you do not have your ACT scores, you will not know if you need learning support classes. If you do not know if you will need learning support classes, you will not be able to be advised or register for classes. Take this test seriously as your scores will determine your status as an entering college freshman. Failure to meet the minimum scores required means you will need learning support classes your first and sometimes even second semester. This means you will be in college longer! Ask your guidance counselor if you are eligible for an ACT fee waiver. Make sure to send your scores to the appropriate college.

how to prepare for the act• Studying and taking practice tests are extremely important before taking the ACT.• Free sample questions are available at www.actstudent.org.• It is important to do well on the ACT as it affects the courses you are required to take in college,

thus affecting how long you are in college.• Sleep at least 8 hours the night before the ACT and eat a healthy breakfast to get your brain

ready!

yes! you must attend even though you have already applied to college. the March meeting will explain...The college admissions process. tnAchieves will have representatives from the local community and/or technical colleges available to answer your specific questions. You will receive a reminder email about the meeting time and location.

We realize that you have “senioritis.” We have all experienced the fatigue associated with the end of high school. This is not, however, the time to procrastinate sending all your information to the post-secondary institution of your choice.

Your New Student Orientation Date. You will be assigned a New Student Orientation date and location at this meeting, so you must know where you plan to attend school. If you are a Northeast State student, you will also need to register for this date with the college.

The importance of the ACT. Most of you will have completed at least one ACT during your junior year. If you scored less than an 18 in English and a 19 in reading and math, we encourage you to retake it. The registration deadline is March 7th for the April 12th ACT session. Ask your school counselor for assistance with registration.

Mentors: All Tennessee public high school students are required to take the ACT in their junior year. Students might want to retake the test to improve their scores. Most colleges place students into classes based on their ACT score. If they do not meet the 18 in English and 19 in reading and math requirements, they are required to take learning support classes which can set students back up to three semesters before they are even earning college credit! Please stress the importance of ACT scores to the students and encourage them to prepare and take the test seriously.

tnachieves emailed you... did you get it?

7. March: teaM Meeting

Mentors: We see a great deal of drop off in mentor attendance at the March team meeting. Remember, students are disappointed when their mentors do not show up or tell them they will not be able to make the meeting. Please make sure to remind your students of the meeting.

counselors: At this point, tnAchieves is making our “master list” of students. Again, if the student does not attend the team meeting or provide a valid excuse PRIOR to the meeting, they will be dropped from the program. Although this is a hard policy for our busy students, it is in their best interest to attend the meetings so they are more prepared for the next steps in the college access process. If you have questions about a student’s eligibility, please do not hesitate to contact us.

9. attend tnachieves neW student orientation

you Must attend on the day you Were assigned at your March teaM Meeting! Orientation is extremely important because you will learn all the requirements to keep your tnAchieves scholarship, how to be a successful college student, and anything you might be missing from the college in order to start school!

• You will be reminded of New Student Orientation via email and text the week of your orientation.

• Please block off at least 4 hours for orientation.

• Leaving early will be considered the same as not attending, and you will no longer be tnAchieves eligible.

• Even if you have been in school for a semester because you graduated early, it is STILL a requirement to attend your assigned tnAchieves NSO in order to keep your scholarship.

• tnAchieves NSOs are a similar format to the post-secondary institution NSO, but we cover tnAchieves requirements in addition to the usual orientation information. You are required to attend a tnAchieves NSO. This WILL count for your orientation requirement by the college as well. This means you will not need to attend two orientations.

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Mentors: This is one of the biggest, most intimidating steps to transition from high school to college. This is a great time to discuss all the previous accomplishments and uncover any hesitations and questions your students might be afraid to ask. This is the last hurdle before starting school. After orientations, we send an email to the students who did not show up to let them know they are no longer tnAchieves eligible.

counselors: Congratulations on sending another class to college! You will be hearing from us about counselor receptions. This is our time to thank you and get your feedback for ways to improve the tnAchieves program.

10. June 15: coMplete placeMent testing

you may need to schedule an appointment to take a placement test!If you scored below the following grades on your ACT, you may need to complete placement testing (check with your school to see if it is required):• Math: 19• English: 18• Reading: 19

Do not, however, become discouraged if you need a learning support class or two. tnAchieves funds these classes and believes in your success! Approximately 80 percent of tnAchieves students are required to take at least one learning support class, so you are not alone!

You can make a testing appointment by contacting the testing services department at your post-secondary institution. If testing is required, you will not be able to get advised until you have completed your placement testing. Be sure to get this done in plenty of time to be advised and registered for classes before the July 1 deadline. Most high schools offer college visit days. This is a great opportunity to take your placement tests!

Much like the ACT, these tests can be used to test out of learning support classes. Some schools offer review sessions prior to taking the exam, so look into what your school has to offer!

If you are unsure, call your post-secondary institution and ask. Make sure to tell them you are a tnAchieves Scholar! If you require placement testing, you may want to consider the Summer Bridge Program as an opportunity to test out of learning support courses (see page 7).

Mentors:Placement testing is different for every post-secondary institution. Some schools require it for every student, some schools only require it for certain ACT scores, some schools just place students based on ACT scores, and some schools offer challenge testing if the student wants the chance to test out of learning support classes. Schools may charge a small fee for placement testing.

During the entire college access process, it is important that students identify themselves as a tnAchieves Scholar when calling the post-secondary institutions.

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12. July 1: get advised

you must get advised!You can not register for classes until you have been advised. It is best to get this done earlier so you get the best class schedule, but the final deadline is July 1. You have to make an advising appointment by calling the post-secondary institution. Do not wait until the last week of June to schedule this appointment-- they will be booked!!

It is best to have an idea of what you would like to major in before you are advised. This way your advisor can help plan your schedule for the next two or three years. You will know what classes are necessary to receive a degree!

advising tips:• Take at least 12 hours. As a tnAchieves student, you are required to take 12 hours per semester.

Completing 15 hours per semester is necessary to earn an associates degree in two years; however, it is difficult to maintain 15 hours if you have other responsibilities such as a job. Know your limits as a student and talk to your advisor!

• Get advised every semester! You are only required to get advised your first semester of college, but tnAchieves recommends meeting with an advisor each semester so you can make sure you are on track!

• Tell the advisor that you are a tnAchieves student. You are marked as a tnAchieves student in the system, but some advisors may not notice that. It is important for the advisors to know that you are a tnAchieves student, so they can advise you correctly.

• Plan your classes for 2 years. Although your schedule will more than likely change, it is good to have an idea of what you need in order to graduate.

• Please note that requirements and class structure differ at the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. For example, you will not take 12 hours, but you are required to enroll full-time for your respective program.

Mentors:We always encourage our students to talk to you about your career. It is helpful for students exploring their career options to learn about how someone else got started in a particular field. Please talk to your students about what you do and how you chose to do it. The community colleges and technical colleges do a great job of offering several specialized fields, so there is something for everyone!

Always encourage your students to call their post-secondary institution when they are confused, especially during this time. The schools have all the materials they need, and they are the best people to answer advising questions! Make sure they identify themselves as a tnAchieves student.

What is verification?You will be notified by your post-secondary institution if you have been selected for verification. Verification is a process used to verify certain information on the FAFSA to ensure its accuracy. You could be randomly selected for verification by the Department of Education because your FAFSA is incomplete or has included estimated information.

What do i do if i am selected for verification?If you are selected for verification, contact your school’s financial aid office. Sometimes linking your FAFSA back to the IRS website will be sufficient. Other times, you will need to collect copies of the documents requested by the financial aid office (e.g.: W-2, Tax forms, etc.). Once all paperwork is turned in, the financial aid office will make corrections and process your financial aid. If you do not address this, your tnAchieves scholarship could be affected. Remember, it can take up to 4 weeks for the financial aid office to process this paperwork, so get an early start!

other scholarships/aidWe understand that some tnAchieves students will not need tnAchieves funding to pay for college tuition or fees. We ask that these students continue to work with tnAchieves by meeting the GPA requirement of a 2.0, filing FAFSA by February 1, and completing 8 hours of community service each semester. If you keep up your requirements, tnAchieves will pick up your tuition if something happens to PELL, HOPE, or any other scholarship.

Trust us, this happens often, so keep up with your requirements!!

11. June 30: subMit all verification docuMents

Mentors: Many of our students are selected for verification because we have an early FAFSA deadline, requiring them to file based on estimations from the previous year. Verification can be a daunting process for students just starting their college careers. It is confusing and overwhelming to them, so we try to make it less complicated.

Students can often panic. No worries! Again, have them contact the financial aid office. They need to identify themselves as tnAchieves students.

ema

il your m

entor to update

them

!!

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Mentors: As most of you have probably learned, it takes every form of communication to reach students (emails, text messages, phone calls, Facebook messages, etc.). It is frustrating for us, but this is how we get important deadlines to them! When students enter college, most of the community colleges use email for all their alerts. For example, if the student is having an issue with financial aid, they will send several emails, but the student will never receive them because they do not check their emails. Please encourage your students to set up their school email and check it on a regular basis. If they can make this a habit, you may be able to contact them more regularly too!

Keep up that encouragement -- They need it!!

14. august 1: set up college eMail

email is the main form of communication for tnachieves and post-secondary institutions!You will be given an email address from your post-secondary institution. Set it up! Although email may seem “old-school” to you, it is the way of communication in college and the real world when you graduate. Your college email is the best way your school and your professors communicate with you. tnAchieves will continue to communicate with you via the email you supplied on your tnAchieves application unless instructed otherwise. Be sure to check your email at least once a week while in school!

communication• Email is the main form of communication by tnAchieves.• You can also learn more about tnAchieves and get deadline reminders by liking us on

Facebook or following us on Twitter and Instagram @tnachieves!• The post-secondary institutions may only communicate with you via email. You can miss

critical deadlines by not checking your emails. you have a new

ema

il!!

13. July 1: register for classes

tnachieves recommends you register early!Although we recommend you register for classes as soon as registration is open (usually mid-April), your deadline to register is July 1!

Remember, you must register for at least 12 hours. In order to register for classes, you will need to become familiar with your school’s website system. tnAchieves requires you to register early so you have the best options for class times.

Before you drop a class, be sure you will still have the number of hours you need to receive your financial aid. The HOPE Scholarship, the PELL grant, and tnAchieves all have hour requirements that you must maintain. Check with the financial aid office or tnAchieves before you drop a class! If you are planning to drop due to grades, speak with your professor first. Your professor might have suggestions on how to improve your grade that you did not know before.

You will not be able to confirm your schedule!Because of the way your tnAchieves Scholarship works, you may not be able to confirm your schedule. As long as you have completed all your tnAchieves requirements, you will not be dropped from your classes!

Do not pay your bill!If you have a balance showing on your account, do not pay it because tnAchieves will not be able to reimburse you!

tnAchieves will NOT pay for RODP classes and strongly discourages online classes.

Mentors: Students often do not understand how important it is to register early. It is helpful to discuss a general schedule with them so they have an idea of when they should take classes, when they should work, and when they can make the time to study. Because many tnAchieves students have full-time jobs when they are in college, it is important to register early so they can coordinate around their work schedule.

Remember, July 1st is the class registration deadline, which means students need to begin the process at least three weeks prior to the deadline in order for them to be able to set testing and advising appointments!

15. begin classes

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Mentors:Once your students have started school, please reach out to them to make sure everything is going as it should. Being self-motivated to attend class is a new concept for many of these students so stressing the importance of attendance and knowing professors is helpful to the students.

Here, you can record which of your students are continuing their education and which post-secondary institution they have chosen:

how to be a good college studentAsk for help. Many new college students are afraid to ask for help, but it is the only way to get your questions answered! Once you start asking questions, it will become easier. If you do not know who to ask, just look for anyone who works for the school and they can point you in the right direction. You can also always call tnAchieves or your mentor!

Go to class.This may sound obvious, but you would be surprised how many students choose not to attend class. Although your classes may not have an attendance policy, the teacher still notices if you come to class; not to mention, you will not get the information you need to succeed in school if you do not attend class!!

Introduce yourself to your professors.Professors love to get to know their students, so approach your professor on the first day of class and say, “Hi! My name is (your name) and I just wanted to introduce myself and say I am excited to be in this class.” It may sound dorky, but it will pay off!! Professors are much more likely to help you out if you get in a bind during the semester if they know who you are.

Be engaged during class.If you are engaged during class by taking notes, asking questions and listening, you are more likely to get a good grade in the class. Your professor will remember you and be willing to help you if problems arise.

Read and understand your class syllabus.Each of your classes will have a syllabus. Be sure to read it thoroughly as it includes what is expected of you, your test dates, assignments and due dates, what books you need to have, attendance policy, and the grading scale. The syllabus will also include your professor’s contact information and office hours in case you need extra help outside of class.

Manage your time and stay organized.College is extremely different from high school; therefore, it is very important to learn how to manage your time and stay organized. Keep a planner of all the classes and responsibilities you have. Make sure to allow time for studying! As a rule of thumb, you should plan to study or do homework for 2-3 hours outside of class for every hour you are in the classroom.

Use your resources.Community and technical colleges are full of FREE resources to help you succeed in college. Most colleges have math labs, writing centers, tutoring centers, advisors, and counselors. Familiarize yourself with these resources and use them often.

Your fellow students are one of your greatest resources.Studies show that when students in cohort groups (a group of students taking several classes together) study together, their grades and completion rates increase. Surround yourself with successful students!

Go to school full time.Take 12 to 15 hours per semester. Studies also show that full time students are 141 percent more likely to get their two year degree, and 149 percent more likely to get their four year degree than part time students. Take classes in the summer. Finish your education fast. Get done and start your career as quickly as possible.

student:school:neW eMail:

have your professors emailed you?

student:school:neW eMail:

student:school:neW eMail:

student:school:neW eMail:

student:school:neW eMail:

Just like the meetings in your high schools, the september team meeting is Mandatory! You will receive an email in August with dates, times and locations of the September team meetings. You will have the opportunity to choose which meeting works with your class schedule.

the september meeting will explain..The importance of completing college in a timely manner.As important as it is to start school, it is more important to finish!

We will be holding September team meetings at each post-secondary institution. At these meetings, we will break into groups to focus on the resources available to you.

Similar to New Student Orientations, the September team meetings are held at the post-secondary institutions. Studies show that students who complete the first semester of college are more likely to stay in school.

The importance of using resources available to students. You will break out into focus groups depending on the area in which you are having difficulties. Some focus groups include:

• “I struggle in math.” (Math Lab)• “I don’t know what I want to major in.” (Counseling Center)• “I do not feel comfortable approaching my professors.” (College Professor)• “I need help writing papers.” (Writing Center)• “I can’t find the time to study.” (Library)• “I need help with my school work.” (Tutoring Center)• “I need another student’s advice.” (Ambassadors)

In each of the focus groups, there is a representative from the post-secondary institution that can offer their expertise. Remember, tnAchieves and your mentor are always a good resource in addition to all the resources the post-secondary institutions offer!

The importance of getting involved on campus.Find something that interests you on campus. You will enjoy your post-secondary experience much more if you have fun as well as study. Visit the student activities office for clubs and extra-curricular activities in which you can become involved!

Parents and mentors DO NOT need to attend September team meetings!

16. septeMber teaM Meeting

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Mentors:The September team meetings will be held at the post-secondary institutions. Students are able to choose their date, time and location based on their availability with classes. This means that you may have students attending several different events. Because of this, we do not expect you to come to these meetings, but please be sure to continue to contact your students. Sometimes our students just need the extra person asking how everything is going to be able to admit they need help.

All dates, times, and locations will be emailed to students.

you should email your mentor to tell them how you are doing!

17. coMMunity service

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Mentors:We are asking our mentors to suggest options for tnAchieves sponsored community service events. If you are involved in any sort of project or agency that needs volunteer work, please let us know and we will be happy to send the opportunity out to students.

Students may ask your opinion about community service options. If you volunteer for an organization other than tnAchieves, you may want to encourage your students to tag along.

We encourage students to job shadow in their field of interest for their community service hours. This is a good way for the students to get some experience in that field to see if they really enjoy it. If you know someone they can contact in their field of interest, you are more than welcome to share that with them! As long as they are not getting paid, we count it as community service!

8 community service hours are due december 1 and May 1 of each year!! We think it is important for you to give back to the community that is assisting you by paying for your college tuition. Community service is a great way to meet new people and learn about your community.

• What? As long as you are not helping a family member or receiving money, your activity can be counted as community service. Remember, you are required to complete 8 hours of community service for each semester you are a tnAchieves scholar. Try to pick an activity that benefits the community. Babysitting for free is not community service.

• Submit! You will need to complete the community service form at www.tnachieves.org. It is located under the “college student” tab and it simply asks for what you did, when you did it, a few questions about your experience, and someone we can call to verify you completed it. Below is a screen shot from the website:

community service ideas:tnAchieves eventstnAchieves provides community service opportunities in each county. See www.tnachieves.org for details.

Service learning at your post-secondary institutionMany post-secondary institutions have service learning groups on campus that can match you to community service activities based on your interests. There is also the potential to earn college credit while doing community service!

Your field of interestWe encourage you to complete your community service in your field of interest. For instance, if you want to be a teacher, ask one of your former teachers if you can volunteer in his/her classroom for a day! This is a great way to gain experience in your potential career. Sometimes, students realize they do not actually want that career path and switch. Other times, it works out that they really do love it! It is also a great way to get to know someone in that field that might be able to help you get a job one day.

Check your local United Way, food pantries, and libraries for community service opportunities!

18. gpa Meetings

stay above a 2.0 gpa!!If you have below a 2.0 GPA, you are required to have a meeting with a tnAchieves staff member. tnAchieves will email you to set up an appointment at your campus. If you do not answer emails or phone calls in a timely manner, you will be dropped from the program.

At your meeting, we will discuss the issues that led to your lower GPA, as well as steps you are taking to improve your grades. We will develop a plan for the next semester.

After your meeting, you will be on probation for the semester, and we will only continue to offer you the tnAchieves scholarship if you significantly improve your GPA.

Why is gpa important?• You need a good GPA to transfer to a four-year college/university.

• You may be asked for your GPA at a job interview.

• You need AT LEAST a 2.0 to keep your tnAchieves scholarship and may need higher for other

scholarships.

19. feb. 1: coMplete fafsa again!

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refer to step 5 for details. you will receive an email reminder.1. After January 1, 2015, you will visit www.fafsa.ed.gov.

2. Make sure to select the 2015-2016 FAFSA application.

3. You will still have a PIN from last year.

4. It is important you enter the correct social security number.

5. File based on an estimation from the previous year’s tax returns and correct later.

6. Even if you are 18 years old, you will need your parents/guardians’ information to complete the FAFSA unless you are married, have children who receive more than half of their support from you, were in foster care, are a ward of the court, are emancipated from your parents, are homeless, and/or have parents who are deceased. All could require documentation from a court.

7. If you feel lost, click the inside the answer box. Information will appear on the right side of your computer screen indicating where to find the appropriate answer.

8. At the end, you and your parent will sign your FAFSA electronically using the PIN number you created.

9. Remember, tnAchieves and the community colleges host FAFSA days in January to assist you and your parents with the filing process. Please make arrangements to attend if needed!

Mentors:Students can/will lose various funds due to poor attendance and lack of effort. Continue encouraging your students to keep up with their school work, attend class, and stay positive! The first semester is always the most difficult!

Remember, students should visit the post-secondary institution websites for various resources including free tutoring.

Mentors:You will now be working with another group of students, but if you have developed a good relationship with some of your students, please remind them to file their FAFSA again!

It should be easier the second time!

20. college continues!

become an ambassadortnAchieves Ambassadors are the face of tnAchieves! You are eligible to be a tnAchieves Ambassador if you have completed at least 12 hours of college coursework and have at least a 2.5 GPA. The Ambassador application is open from January 1 to March 1 each year. You can apply at www.tnachieves.org.

As an Ambassador, your responsibilities are:

• Assist tnAchieves staff with new student orientations in the summer.

• Serve as a peer to peer mentor to incoming freshmen.

• Attend at least two team building/leadership activities per semester.

The benefits of becoming an Ambassador are:

• tnAchieves will pay for your summer classes and 5th semester if you have not exhausted your $4,000.

• Ambassador events count as part of your community service requirement.

• You gain leadership experience to put on your resume.

• You meet new people and become more involved in your college experience.

explore your career interestsNow that you have some college courses under your belt, you should have a better idea of what type of classes you enjoy. Make a list of your strengths, research careers that interest you, and ask people about their careers. The advising office of most colleges will have information on potential careers as well as interest tests that you can take to help you decide on a career field!

Remember, your first semester is typically general education classes that are required for most majors, so this is your time to investigate different career options before you begin taking specialized classes. If you decide to change your major, talk to a faculty advisor to ensure you are taking the correct courses.

interesting education facts:• You can make $500,000 more in your lifetime with an Associates Degree versus only having a

high school diploma.

• Unemployment rates are lower for people with an Associates Degree than with just a high school diploma.

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transferTo make it easier to transfer to a four-year college or university, the colleges have Tennessee Transfer Pathways (www.tntransferpathway.org). These provide a simple transfer process to a four-year school. The Tennessee Transfer Pathways outline specific courses and letter grades that will transfer from community colleges to four-year schools. They also outline specific curriculums for certain majors. Contact the advising office of your school for more information on the Tennessee Transfer Pathways.

graduateIn order to graduate from community college or technical college, there are certain requirements that must be met. These requirements are different for each school, so contact your school and ask which department handles graduation. Below are some of the typical things required for graduation:• Minimum Residence: To receive a

degree or certificate, most schools require that a certain amount of hours are completed at that particular school.

• Minimum Credit Hours: Each candidate must complete a certain number of hours.

• Minimum GPA: Usually, a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required to graduate.

• Major Studies: Completion of curriculum for specific majors is required.

• Degree Application: Prospective candidates must file an Intent to Graduate form, and there is usually a fee to graduate.

• Commencement: Most schools have a commencement ceremony at the end of each semester.

• Exit Testing: Some students may be required to take one or more tests designed to measure achievement in general education and in the specific major.

you will continue to receive newsletters and reminders from tnachieves.

suggested Mentor coMMunication

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these conversation topics and reminders are simply suggested communications requested from mentors. they are not required; however, we do ask that you contact your students twice each month.

december: Introduce yourself to students and parents/guardians.

January 1: Remind students of their team meeting date, time, and location; reassure them that you will be there, and if not, set up a time to review.

January 15: Remind students of the important February 1st FAFSA deadline; remind them often! And yes, you can file based on an estimation from last year’s tax returns.

february 1: “Did you file your FAFSA? If not, you have until midnight tonight!”

february 15: “Where did you apply to college? Today is the deadline.”

March 1: Remind students of their team meeting date, time and location; reassure them that you will meet them there! Also, remind students of the March 7th ACT registration deadline.

March 15: “Have you thought about going on a campus visit?”

april 1: “Have you called about your placement test? Call the college to schedule one now!”

april 15: “Have you asked your counselor about sending your official transcript to your chosen community or technical college?”

May 1: “Have you heard from your post-secondary institution about being accepted? Does the institution need additional information from you?”

May 15: “Do you remember your assigned New Student Orientation date?”

June 1: “Happy Graduation! Make sure to schedule an advising appointment at your college so you get in the best classes!”

June 15: “Do you know if you need to turn in verification documents? Call the financial aid office if you are unsure. It is due June 30th!

July 1: ”Did you complete your New Student Orientation? If not, are you ready to attend?”

July 15: “Are you sure that your college file is complete? Check your college account. Remember, tnAchieves funds may not post until the end of August.

august 1: “Remember, tnAchieves funds may not be showing on your student account, but as long as your classes are not dropped, you are all set!”

august 15: “Good luck with all your classes! Do not forget to introduce yourself to all your professors!”

september 1: Remind students to attend their September team meeting.

september 15: “Have you used any of the resources available to you at the college like the tutoring or writing center? Do you know these are FREE resources?”

october 1: “Have you done any of your community service or thought about what you would like to do? There are suggestions at www.tnachieves.org.”

october 15: “How are you doing in your classes?”

november 1: “Remember, your community service deadline is just around the corner! You will submit your community service at www.tnachieves.org.”

november 15: “Good luck on your finals!”

december 1: “Remember, today is your community service deadline!”

december 15: “Do not forget to file FAFSA again in January! The deadline is February 1st!”

thank you for mentoring with us this year! please complete the mentor survey that will be sent to your email.

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Mentor best practices

follow up on deadlines...

introduction to parents..Hello,

I wanted to introduce myself. My name is XXX. I work with XXX and will by your tnAchieves mentor. I will be sending your child a similar email, but wanted also introduce myself to you separately. This is a wonderful program for your child and it is important that you participate with them throughout this process. It is very important to meet all deadlines and remember important dates coming up for helping your child maintain eligibility in the program.

Your child should have received the tnAchieves handbook. This is your tnAchieves lifeline. It contains all information you and your child needs to ensure that they remain a tnAchieves scholar. Please review this handbook as it will help guide you in the process of meeting the requirements. The team meetings are mandatory. The first meeting will be held on January 10th at 5:30 at Campbell County High School in the cafeteria. I will remind you of this date a number of times between now and then. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. We will walk through this process one step at a time. It would be good if you could let me know the best way to contact you (i.e., phone, text, email, etc.) My contact information is XXXXX. I look forward to meeting you at the first team meeting and working with you and seeing your child achieve success as they work toward their educational goals. Again, please feel free to contact me with any questions.

introduction to students...Seth,

OK, I have never been a tnAchieves mentor before so we are getting started together. However, I have mentored a number of younger folks through my job as Project Manager on projects around the US and overseas. I am 58 years old so you might say “Whoa, what does this old dude know about what I am going through?” Well, there are a few things you don’t know. I came of age in the late 60’s which was quite the time to be a teenager. I was a hippie and saw a lot of stuff. I also have a 17 year old son who I love dearly, but tries my patience some times.

I have been enrolled in 4 different colleges and know the ropes pretty well. $4,000 is a great deal and getting that piece of paper is even better. I know you have better things to do like looking for girls, driving with your friends, music, etc. I am telling you that you can do that and this deal at the same time. Don’t let this go. I promise to help in any way I can. You can get me at this email or text or call me at XXX-XXX-XXXX.

This is the name I was given for you. Tell me what everyone calls you. Look forward to seeing you.

PS: Attached a picture of what I looked like at your age and one from a few years ago that I have on Facebook.

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Meeting schedule by county

County High School (HS) Team Meeting 1 Team Meeting 2 Location

Anderson Anderson County HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/10/2014; 5:30PM Anderson County HS Cafeteria

Anderson Clinton HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/10/2014; 5:30PM Clinton HS Cafeteria

Anderson Oak Ridge HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/10/2014; 5:30PM Oak Ridge HS Amphitheater

Blount Alcoa HS 1/28/2014; 5:30PM 3/31/2014; 5:30PM William Blount HS Cafeteria

Blount Heritage HS 1/28/2014; 5:30PM 3/31/2014; 5:30PM Maryville HS Cafeteria

Blount Maryville HS 1/28/2014; 5:30PM 3/31/2014; 5:30PM Maryville HS Cafeteria

Blount William Blount HS 1/28/2014; 5:30PM 3/31/2014; 5:30PM William Blount HS Cafeteria

Bradley Bradley Central HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/18/2014; 5:30PM Bradley Central HS Cafeteria

Bradley Cleveland HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/18/2014; 5:30PM Cleveland HS Cafeteria

Bradley Walker Valley HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/18/2014; 5:30PM Walker Valley HS Cafeteria

Campbell Campbell Co HS 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Campbell County HS Cafeteria

Campbell Jellico HS 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Campbell County HS Cafeteria

Claiborne Claiborne HS 1/6/2014; 5:30PM 3/3/2014; 5:30PM Claiborne Co HS All-Purpose Room

Claiborne Cumberland Gap HS 1/6/2014; 5:30PM 3/3/2014; 5:30PM Claiborne Co HS All-Purpose Room

Davidson Antioch HS 1/21/2014; 5:30PM 4/1/2014; 5:30PM Antioch Cafeteria

Davidson Cane Ridge HS 1/21/2014; 5:30PM 4/1/2014; 5:30PM Cane Ridge Cafeteria

Davidson East Literature Magnet 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Stratford Cafeteria

Davidson Glencliff Comp HS 1/16/2014; 5:30PM 3/13/2014; 5:30PM Glencliff Cafeteria

Davidson Hillsboro Comp HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/10/2014; 5:30PM Hillsboro Cafeteria

Davidson Hillwood Comp HS 1/8/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Hillwood Cafeteria

Davidson Hume - Fogg High Academic Magnet 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 4/2/2014; 5:30PM Hume-Fogg Cafeteria

Davidson Hunters Lane Comp HS 1/22/2014; 5:30PM 3/3/2014; 5:30PM Hunters Lane Cafeteria

Davidson John Overton Comp HS 1/27/2014; 5:30PM 3/31/2014; 5:30PM Overton Cafeteria

Davidson LEAD School 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 4/2/2014; 5:30PM Hume-Fogg Cafeteria

Davidson Maplewood Comp HS 1/14/2015; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Maplewood Cafeteria

Davidson Martin Luther King Jr Magnet 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 4/2/2014; 5:30PM Hume-Fogg Cafeteria

Davidson McGavock Comp HS 1/15/2014; 5:30PM 3/12/2014; 5:30PM McGavock Cafeteria

Davidson MNPS Middle College @ NSCC 1/7/2014; 3:30PM 3/3/2014; 3:30PM Middle College

Davidson Nashville Big Picture HS 1/8/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Hillwood Cafeteria

Davidson Nashville School Of The Arts 1/16/2014; 5:30PM 3/13/2014; 5:30PM Glencliff Cafeteria

Davidson Pearl Cohn Magnet HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM Pearl Cohn Cafeteria

Davidson Stratford Comp HS 1/14/2015; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Stratford Cafeteria

Davidson The Academy at Old Cockrill 1/8/2014; 3:30PM 3/5/2014; 3:30PM The Academy at Old Cockrill

Davidson The Academy at Opry Mills 1/15/2014; 3:30PM 3/12/2014; 3:30PM The Academy at Opry Mills

Davidson The Academy at Hickory Hollow 1/21/2014; 3:30PM 4/1/2014; 3:30PM The Acadmey at Hickory Hollow

Davidson Virtual School 1/8/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Hillwood Cafeteria

Davidson Whites Creek Comp HS 1/23/2014; 5:30PM 3/4/2014; 5:30PM Whites Creek Cafeteria

Dyer Dyer County HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM DSCC Student Center

Dyer Dyersburg HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM DSCC Student Center

Fentress Alvin C York Institute 1/15/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Clarkrange HS Cafeteria

Fentress Clarkrange HS 1/15/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Clarkrange HS Cafeteria

team meeting dates, times and locations are also available at www.tnachieves.org!

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County High School (HS) Team Meeting 1 Team Meeting 2 Location

Anderson Anderson County HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/10/2014; 5:30PM Anderson County HS Cafeteria

Anderson Clinton HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/10/2014; 5:30PM Clinton HS Cafeteria

Anderson Oak Ridge HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/10/2014; 5:30PM Oak Ridge HS Amphitheater

Blount Alcoa HS 1/28/2014; 5:30PM 3/31/2014; 5:30PM William Blount HS Cafeteria

Blount Heritage HS 1/28/2014; 5:30PM 3/31/2014; 5:30PM Maryville HS Cafeteria

Blount Maryville HS 1/28/2014; 5:30PM 3/31/2014; 5:30PM Maryville HS Cafeteria

Blount William Blount HS 1/28/2014; 5:30PM 3/31/2014; 5:30PM William Blount HS Cafeteria

Bradley Bradley Central HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/18/2014; 5:30PM Bradley Central HS Cafeteria

Bradley Cleveland HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/18/2014; 5:30PM Cleveland HS Cafeteria

Bradley Walker Valley HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/18/2014; 5:30PM Walker Valley HS Cafeteria

Campbell Campbell Co HS 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Campbell County HS Cafeteria

Campbell Jellico HS 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Campbell County HS Cafeteria

Claiborne Claiborne HS 1/6/2014; 5:30PM 3/3/2014; 5:30PM Claiborne Co HS All-Purpose Room

Claiborne Cumberland Gap HS 1/6/2014; 5:30PM 3/3/2014; 5:30PM Claiborne Co HS All-Purpose Room

Davidson Antioch HS 1/21/2014; 5:30PM 4/1/2014; 5:30PM Antioch Cafeteria

Davidson Cane Ridge HS 1/21/2014; 5:30PM 4/1/2014; 5:30PM Cane Ridge Cafeteria

Davidson East Literature Magnet 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Stratford Cafeteria

Davidson Glencliff Comp HS 1/16/2014; 5:30PM 3/13/2014; 5:30PM Glencliff Cafeteria

Davidson Hillsboro Comp HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/10/2014; 5:30PM Hillsboro Cafeteria

Davidson Hillwood Comp HS 1/8/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Hillwood Cafeteria

Davidson Hume - Fogg High Academic Magnet 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 4/2/2014; 5:30PM Hume-Fogg Cafeteria

Davidson Hunters Lane Comp HS 1/22/2014; 5:30PM 3/3/2014; 5:30PM Hunters Lane Cafeteria

Davidson John Overton Comp HS 1/27/2014; 5:30PM 3/31/2014; 5:30PM Overton Cafeteria

Davidson LEAD School 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 4/2/2014; 5:30PM Hume-Fogg Cafeteria

Davidson Maplewood Comp HS 1/14/2015; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Maplewood Cafeteria

Davidson Martin Luther King Jr Magnet 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 4/2/2014; 5:30PM Hume-Fogg Cafeteria

Davidson McGavock Comp HS 1/15/2014; 5:30PM 3/12/2014; 5:30PM McGavock Cafeteria

Davidson MNPS Middle College @ NSCC 1/7/2014; 3:30PM 3/3/2014; 3:30PM Middle College

Davidson Nashville Big Picture HS 1/8/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Hillwood Cafeteria

Davidson Nashville School Of The Arts 1/16/2014; 5:30PM 3/13/2014; 5:30PM Glencliff Cafeteria

Davidson Pearl Cohn Magnet HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM Pearl Cohn Cafeteria

Davidson Stratford Comp HS 1/14/2015; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Stratford Cafeteria

Davidson The Academy at Old Cockrill 1/8/2014; 3:30PM 3/5/2014; 3:30PM The Academy at Old Cockrill

Davidson The Academy at Opry Mills 1/15/2014; 3:30PM 3/12/2014; 3:30PM The Academy at Opry Mills

Davidson The Academy at Hickory Hollow 1/21/2014; 3:30PM 4/1/2014; 3:30PM The Acadmey at Hickory Hollow

Davidson Virtual School 1/8/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Hillwood Cafeteria

Davidson Whites Creek Comp HS 1/23/2014; 5:30PM 3/4/2014; 5:30PM Whites Creek Cafeteria

Dyer Dyer County HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM DSCC Student Center

Dyer Dyersburg HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM DSCC Student Center

Fentress Alvin C York Institute 1/15/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Clarkrange HS Cafeteria

Fentress Clarkrange HS 1/15/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Clarkrange HS Cafeteria

County High School (HS) Team Meeting 1 Team Meeting 2 Location

Grainger Grainger HS 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 3/4/2014; 5:30PM Grainger County HS Cafeteria

Grainger Washburn HS 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 3/4/2014; 5:30PM Grainger County HS Cafeteria

Hamblen Morristown East HS 1/6/2014; 5:30PM 3/3/2014; 5:30PM Morristown East HS

Hamblen Morristown West HS 1/6/2014; 5:30PM 3/3/2014; 5:30PM Morristown West HS

Hancock Hancock HS 1/15/2014; 3:30PM 3/5/2014; 3:30PM Hancock County HS Library

Jefferson Jefferson County HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM Jefferson County HS Cafeteria

Knox Austin East 1/27/2014; 5:30PM 3/3/2014; 5:30PM Austin East HS Library

Knox Bearden HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/26/2014; 5:30PM Bearden HS Cafeteria

Knox Carter HS 1/27/2014; 5:30PM 3/4/2014; 5:30PM Carter HS Cafeteria

Knox Central HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/25/2014; 5:30PM Central HS Cafeteria

Knox Farragut HS 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 3/3/2014; 5:30PM Farragut HS Cafeteria

Knox Fulton HS 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Fulton HS Cafeteria

Knox Gibbs HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/13/2014; 5:30PM Gibbs HS Caferteria

Knox Halls HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/4/2014; 5:30PM Halls HS Cafeteria

Knox Hardin Valley Academy 1/27/2014; 5:30PM 3/25/2014; 5:30PM HVA Cafeteria

Knox Karns HS 1/21/2014; 5:30PM 3/13/2014; 5:30PM Karns HS Cafeteria

Knox Kelley Volunteer Academy 1/14/2014; 12:00PM 3/11/2014; 12:00PM KVA Common Area

Knox L&N STEM Academy 1/7/2014; 11:00AM 3/3/2014; 11:00AM L&N STEM Academy

Knox Powell HS 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM Powell HS Cafeteria

Knox South-Doyle HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM South Doyle HS Cafeteria

Knox West HS 1/21/2014; 5:30PM 3/26/2014; 5:30PM West HS Cafeteria

Lake Lake County HS 1/9/2014; 3:30PM 3/6/2014; 3:30PM Lake County HS Library

Loudon Greenback School 1/22/2014; 5:30PM 3/19/2014; 5:30PM Lenoir City HS Cafeteria

Loudon Lenoir City HS 1/22/2014; 5:30PM 3/19/2014; 5:30PM Lenoir City HS Cafeteria

Loudon Loudon HS 1/22/2014; 5:30PM 3/19/2014; 5:30PM Lenoir City HS Cafeteria

Meigs Meigs County HS 1/16/2014; 5:30PM 3/13/2014; 5:30PM Meigs County HS Cafeteria

Morgan Coalfield School 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Wartburg Central HS Cafeteria

Morgan Oakdale HS 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Wartburg Central HS Cafeteria

Morgan Sunbright HS 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Wartburg Central HS Cafeteria

Morgan Wartburg Central HS 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/11/2014; 5:30PM Wartburg Central HS Cafeteria

Pickett Pickett County HS 1/15/2014; 3:30PM 3/5/2014; 3:30PM Picket County HS Cafeteria

Roane Harriman HS 1/27/2014; 5:30PM 3/24/2014; 5:30PM Harriman HS Cafeteria

Roane Midway HS 1/27/2014; 5:30PM 3/24/2014; 5:30PM Roane County HS New Cafeteria

Roane Oliver Springs HS 1/27/2014; 5:30PM 3/24/2014; 5:30PM Oliver Springs HS Cafeteria

Roane Roane County HS 1/27/2014; 5:30PM 3/24/2014; 5:30PM Roane County HS New Cafeteria

Roane Rockwood HS 1/27/2014; 5:30PM 3/24/2014; 5:30PM Rockwood HS Cafeteria

Scott Oneida HS 1/16/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM Scott County HS Cafeteria

Scott Scott HS 1/16/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM Scott County HS Cafeteria

Sevier Gatlinburg-Pittman HS 1/23/2014; 5:30PM 3/20/2014; 5:30PM Gatlinburg-Pittman HS Cafeteria

Sevier Pigeon Forge HS 1/23/2014; 5:30PM 3/20/2014; 5:30PM Pigeon Forge HS Cafeteria

Sevier Sevier County HS 1/23/2014; 5:30PM 3/20/2014; 5:30PM Sevier County HS Cafeteria

Sevier Seymour HS 1/23/2014; 5:30PM 3/20/2014; 5:30PM Seymour HS Cafeteria

Shelby Adolescent Parenting 1/15/2014; 5:30PM 3/19/2014; 5:30PM TCAT Memphis

Shelby Arlington HS 1/23/2014; 5:30PM 3/27/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Macon (Gymnasium)

Shelby Bartlett HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/17/2014; 5:30PM Bartlett

Shelby Bolton HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/17/2014; 5:30PM Bolton

Shelby Booker T Washington HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Union (Gymnasium)

Shelby Carver HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Union (Gymnasium)

team meeting dates, times and locations are also available at www.tnachieves.org!

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County High School (HS) Team Meeting 1 Team Meeting 2 Location

Shelby Central HS 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Union (Gymnasium)

Shelby City University School of Liberal Arts 1/21/2014; 5:30PM 3/25/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Union (Gymnasium)

Shelby Collierville HS 1/8/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Collierville

Shelby Cordova HS 1/23/2014; 5:30PM 3/27/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Macon (Gymnasium)

Shelby Craigmont HS 1/13/2014; 5:30PM 3/17/2014; 5:30PM Bartlett

Shelby Douglass HS 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/18/2014; 5:30PM Kingsbury (STREETS)

Shelby East HS 1/22/2014; 5:30PM 3/26/2014; 5:30PM East

Shelby Fairley HS 1/9/2014; 9:30AM 3/6/2014; 9:30AM Fairley

Shelby Frayser HS 1/16/2014; 5:30PM 3/20/2014; 5:30PM TCAT Memphis

Shelby Germantown HS 1/8/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Germantown

Shelby Hamilton HS 1/21/2014; 5:30PM 3/25/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Union (Gymnasium)

Shelby Hillcrest HS 1/8/2014; 9:30AM 3/5/2014; 9:30AM Hillcrest

Shelby Hollis F Price Middle College HS 1/21/2014; 5:30PM 3/25/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Union (Gymnasium)

Shelby Houston HS 1/8/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Collierville

Shelby Kingsbury HS 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/18/2014; 5:30PM Kingsbury (STREETS)

Shelby Kirby HS 1/8/2014; 3:00PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Kirby HS

Shelby Manassas HS 1/15/2014; 5:30PM 3/19/2014; 5:30PM TCAT Memphis

Shelby Martin Luther King, Jr. Acad. 1/21/2014; 5:30PM 3/25/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Union (Gymnasium)

Shelby Melrose HS 1/22/2014; 5:30PM 3/26/2014; 5:30PM East

Shelby Memphis Academy for Health Sciences 1/14/2014; 5:30PM 3/18/2014; 5:30PM Kingsbury (STREETS)

Shelby Memphis Academy Of Science and Engineering 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Union (Gymnasium)

Shelby Memphis Business Academy High 1/16/2014; 5:30PM 3/20/2014; 5:30PM TCAT Memphis

Shelby Memphis Health Careers Acad. 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Union (Gymnasium)

Shelby Memphis School of Excellence 1/8/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Germantown

Shelby Middle College HS 1/22/2014; 5:30PM 3/26/2014; 5:30PM East

Shelby Millington HS 1/27/2014; 5:30PM 3/31/2014; 5:30PM Millington

Shelby Mitchell HS 1/7/2014; 1:00PM 3/4/2014; 1:00PM Mitchell

Shelby Northeast Prep Academy 1/16/2014; 5:30PM 3/20/2014; 5:30PM TCAT Memphis

Shelby Northside HS 1/15/2014; 5:30PM 3/19/2014; 5:30PM TCAT Memphis

Shelby Northwest Prep Academy 1/15/2014; 2:30PM 3/19/2014; 2:30PM NWPA

Shelby Oakhaven HS 1/8/2014; 1:00PM 3/5/2014; 1:00PM Oakhaven

Shelby Overton HS 1/7/2014; 3:00PM 3/4/2014; 5:30PM Overton

Shelby Raleigh Egypt HS 1/23/2014; 5:30PM 3/27/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Macon (Gymnasium)

Shelby Ridgeway HS 1/23/2014; 5:30PM 3/27/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Macon (Gymnasium)

Shelby Sheffield HS 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 3/4/2014; 5:30PM Overton

Shelby Soulsville 1/21/2014; 5:30PM 3/25/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Union (Gymnasium)

Shelby Southeast Prep Academy 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 3/4/2014; 5:30PM Overton

Shelby Southwest Prep Academy 1/9/2014; 5:30PM 3/6/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Union (Gymnasium)

Shelby Southwind HS 1/8/2014; 5:30PM 3/5/2014; 5:30PM Germantown

Shelby Trezevant HS 1/16/2014; 5:30PM 3/20/2014; 5:30PM TCAT Memphis

Shelby Westwood HS 1/7/2014; 9:30AM 3/4/2014; 9:30AM Westwood

Shelby White Station HS 1/23/2014; 5:30PM 3/27/2014; 5:30PM SWTCC Macon (Gymnasium)

Shelby Whitehaven HS 1/9/2014; 1:00PM 3/6/2014; 1:00PM Whitehaven

Shelby Wooddale HS 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 3/4/2014; 5:30PM Overton

Sullivan Dobyns Bennett HS 1/16/2014; 5:30PM 3/13/2014; 5:30PM Dobyns Bennett HS Library

Union Union County HS 1/7/2014; 5:30PM 3/4/2014; 5:30PM Union County HS Cafeteria

Student Name: Parent/Guardian Name(s):

Email: Phone Number(s):

Best form of communication: Phone Text Email Facebook Twitter Other

Checklist: Contacted prior to January meeting Attended January team meeting Completed FAFSA by February 1 Applied to school by February 15 Attended March team meeting

Completed ACT by April 12 Completed placement testing by June 15 Completed verification by June 30 Advised no later than July 1 Registered for 12 hours by July 1

Attended New Student Orientation Set up college email by August 1 Attended September team meeting Completed 8 hours of community service by December 1

student

1st

udent

2st

udent

3st

udent

4st

udent

5

Student Name: Parent/Guardian Name(s):

Email: Phone Number(s):

Best form of communication: Phone Text Email Facebook Twitter Other

Checklist: Contacted prior to January meeting Attended January team meeting Completed FAFSA by February 1 Applied to school by February 15 Attended March team meeting

Completed ACT by April 12 Completed placement testing by June 15 Completed verification by June 30 Advised no later than July 1 Registered for 12 hours by July 1

Attended New Student Orientation Set up college email by August 1 Attended September team meeting Completed 8 hours of community service by December 1

Student Name: Parent/Guardian Name(s):

Email: Phone Number(s):

Best form of communication: Phone Text Email Facebook Twitter Other

Checklist: Contacted prior to January meeting Attended January team meeting Completed FAFSA by February 1 Applied to school by February 15 Attended March team meeting

Completed ACT by April 12 Completed placement testing by June 15 Completed verification by June 30 Advised no later than July 1 Registered for 12 hours by July 1

Attended New Student Orientation Set up college email by August 1 Attended September team meeting Completed 8 hours of community service by December 1

Student Name: Parent/Guardian Name(s):

Email: Phone Number(s):

Best form of communication: Phone Text Email Facebook Twitter Other

Checklist: Contacted prior to January meeting Attended January team meeting Completed FAFSA by February 1 Applied to school by February 15 Attended March team meeting

Completed ACT by April 12 Completed placement testing by June 15 Completed verification by June 30 Advised no later than July 1 Registered for 12 hours by July 1

Attended New Student Orientation Set up college email by August 1 Attended September team meeting Completed 8 hours of community service by December 1

Student Name: Parent/Guardian Name(s):

Email: Phone Number(s):

Best form of communication: Phone Text Email Facebook Twitter Other

Checklist: Contacted prior to January meeting Attended January team meeting Completed FAFSA by February 1 Applied to school by February 15 Attended March team meeting

Completed ACT by April 12 Completed placement testing by June 15 Completed verification by June 30 Advised no later than July 1 Registered for 12 hours by July 1

Attended New Student Orientation Set up college email by August 1 Attended September team meeting Completed 8 hours of community service by December 1

25

policies

To remain tnAchieves eligible, a student MUST:

1. Attend and graduate from a tnAchieves eligible high school. a. Students must apply their senior year of high school and meet the tnAchieves application deadline. b. A homeschool student who is solely registered with a local school distric may participate.

2. Attend all scheduled team meetings. With a mandatory New Student Orientation (NSO), the student will be responsible for four mandatory meetings. a. Exceptions are as follows:

i. Participation in a school-sanctioned event (e.g. sports, choir concert) *A scheduled practice is not considered an excusable absence. ii. Death in the family iii. Personal Illness *Student must present tnAchieves with a signed doctor’s note to remain eligible. iv. Conflict with post-secondary class schedule b. Student will be responsible for notifying tnAchieves prior to an absence. Documentation will be required. An excuse form is provided at www.tnachieves.org. i. Work, lack of transportation, scheduled vacations, and all other excuses outside those outlined above are not considered excusable absences and will result in a student losing his/her tnAchieves eligibility. c. A student who graduates high school in December is required to return to his/her high school for the mandatory meetings. i. Even if the student begins his/her post-secondary experience in the spring following high school graduation, the student must attend the tnAchieves NSO held during the summer. d. A parent/guardian cannot attend meetings on the student’s behalf. The student must attend the meetings to remain eligible. e. Only a member of tnAchieves staff may determine a student’s program eligibility.

3. Maintain 12 hours each semester.

4. Begin college in the fall directly following high school graduation.

a. A student may begin at his/her post-secondary institution in the spring or summer directly following high school graduation; however, the student will be responsible for incurred tuition and fees until the fall.

5. Attend the post-secondary institution for consecutive semesters. a. A student cannot leave the post-secondary institution for a period of time and remain tnAchieves eligible. b. If a student withdraws from all classes during a semester, he/she will no longer be tnAchieves eligible.

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6. Maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester.

a. The first offense will require a mandatory progress meeting to remain eligible.

7. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1st of each year beginning in high school and throughout his/her post-secondary experience.

a. Failure to qualify for federal aid in the form of a PELL grant and/or state aid in the form of TELS (e.g. HOPE) or TSAA funding will not affect a student’s tnAchieves eligibility. b. Students must be eligible for in-state tuition.

c. tnAchieves only funds last-dollar tuition and fees. It does not pay for books or other post-secondary expenses.

8. Provide all documents to the post-secondary institution if selected for financial aid verification.

9. Complete at least eight hours of community service each semester. This service can begin in June following the student’s high school graduation. a. Community service is not: i. Work resulting in payment. ii. Work for family members.

Other requirements: 10. Students cannot be mentored by a family member.

11. tnAchieves will pay for summer classes and/or a 5th semester if a student has not exhausted his/her tuition cap, maintains a 2.5 GPA, and serves as a tnAchieves Ambassador.

12. If a student never attends classes, he/she will be responsible for tuition payment.

13. tnAchieves follows the admissions requirements of the post-secondary institution. a. tnAchieves will fund learning support classes if the student fails to meet the ACT requirements for college-level coursework.

14. tnAchieves will not pay for UT-PSCC Bridge Program participants.

15. tnAchieves will not pay for Regent’s Online Degree Program (RODP) classes.

Should a student fail to adhere to all policies, tnAchieves invokes the right to remove a student’s scholarship. Student can be subject to remit payment for failure to comply with policies.

tnAchieves values honesty. Students who lack integrity and/or prove dishonest to any program stakeholder can be immediately removed from the program. This includes inappropriate use of social media (i.e. text message, tweets and facebook).

policies (continued)

cleveland statewww.clevelandstatecc.edu / 423.472.7141

dyersburg statewww.dscc.edu / 731.286.3241

Jackson statewww.jscc.edu / 731.424.3520

nashville statewww.nscc.edu / 615.353.3333

northeast statewww.northeaststate.edu / 423.323.3191

pellissippi statewww.pstcc.edu / 865.694.6400

roane statewww.roanestate.edu / 866.462.7722

tennessee college of applied technology, athenswww.ttcathens.edu / 423.744.2814*This post-secondary institution is only available to Meigs County residents.

tennessee college of applied technology, knoXvillewww.ttcknoxville.edu / 865.546.5567*This post-secondary institution is only available to Knox County residents.

tennessee college of applied technology, MeMphiswww.ttcmemphis.edu / 901.543.6100*This post-secondary institution is only available to Shelby County residents.

tennessee college of applied technology, MorristoWnwww.ttcmorristown.edu / 423.586.5771*This post-secondary institution is only available to Hamblen County residents.

tennessee college of applied technology, nashvillewww.ttcnashville.edu / 615.425.5500*This post-secondary institution is only available to Davidson County residents.

southWest tennessee www.southwest.tn.edu / 901.333.5500

volunteer statewww.volstate.edu / 615.452.8600

Walters statewww.ws.edu / 423.585.2600

post-secondary institutions