Got questions about college? We’re here to help.

College Application Week runs from September 17-21, which means it’s a great time to start thinking about everything from financial aid to the application process to testing. With that in mind, we’ve created a guide for students and parents to help navigate the process.

FAFSA is the free application for federal student aid, and the 2019-20 FAFSA form launches on October 1. A detailed description of federal student aid can be found here. (En Español)

Have questions about the FAFSA? Check out the details here. (En Español)

Ready to fill out the FAFSA? Get started here. (En Español)

Interested in a federal work-study program? Details here. (En Español)

Heard a rumor? Check out some common financial aid myths here.

Are you a standout scholar who’s low on cash? QuestBridge helps connect exceptional low-income students with top colleges and universities, including Notre Dame, Yale, Vanderbilt and Princeton.
 

Interested in pursuing an associate’s degree? You may be eligible for Tennessee Promise, a scholarship and mentoring program that provides two years of tuition-free attendance at a community or technical college. Check out a student checklist here, including the Nov. 1 application deadline.

Not sure what kind of college or trade school is right for you? Check out these upcoming college fairs and events:

• Austin-East Financial Aid / College Information Night, Sept. 19, 5:30 p.m.
• KCS College & Career Fair, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Sept. 25, 3301 Magnolia Avenue (the Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park)
• West Knox College Fair, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Sept. 25, Hardin Valley Academy
• Latino College & Resource Fair, 4-6 p.m., Sept. 27, Central High School
• Christian College Fair, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Oct. 2, Grace Christian Academy

For advice about how to navigate a college fair, check out this video.

The federal government has a College Navigator tool to help narrow your search. Check it out here.

For a list of Tennessee’s university, colleges and Colleges of Applied Technology, click here.

Allergic to paperwork? The Common Application can be submitted to more than 800 colleges and universities, including the University of Tennessee-Knoxville; Vanderbilt University; Middle Tennessee State University; Fisk University; Sewanee: The University of the South; and Rhodes College.

Not sure where to begin? Here are grade-by-grade checklists to keep you on track.
9th grade (En Español)
10th grade (En Español)
11th grade (En Español)
12th grade (En Español)

Got questions about the SAT or ACT? The State of Tennessee has a resource page here. Scroll down for the state testing schedule and FAQs about each particular test.