Tennessee Higher Education Commission requests $1.3M for Advise TN program amid rising needs

Tennessee's higher education funding took center stage during the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee meeting on March 18, 2025, as officials highlighted critical needs for investment in programs and infrastructure. A key focus was the Advise TN program, which aims to increase college enrollment in underserved communities. The program has shown promising results, boosting enrollment by 10% in recent evaluations. However, officials warned that without an additional $1.3 million in recurring financial aid, Advise TN could serve 6,500 fewer students next year.

The discussion also emphasized the urgent need for capital maintenance funding across Tennessee's higher education institutions. With an estimated $3.6 billion in deferred maintenance, officials requested $335 million to address these pressing needs. Currently, the state allocates $50 million annually for capital maintenance, which only funds about 20 projects. The request for additional funding reflects the aging infrastructure of many campuses, with most buildings over 50 years old.

The meeting also touched on the challenges facing the Tennessee Promise scholarship program, as lottery revenues are projected to decline while scholarship obligations increase. Officials are preparing for potential budget shortfalls and are evaluating the effectiveness of existing scholarship programs to ensure sustainability.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of continued investment in higher education to support student success and maintain the state's educational infrastructure. As Tennessee strives to meet its educational goals, the outcomes of these funding requests will be closely monitored in the coming fiscal year.