Advise TN

Program Description: 

Advise TN is a state operated and funded college access program in the state of Tennessee under the Tennessee Higher Education Commission. Its primary goal is to increase matriculation into college by providing Tennessee high school students with college advisers. Advisers are deployed to high schools to help students, mostly juniors and seniors, learn about their postsecondary options, including traditional four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, technical workforce programs, and the military.  

The program is designed to ensure every high school senior meets with their advisor at least once during the academic year, though most students meet with their advisors much more frequently. Beyond typical college counseling, advisors also help students with financial aid options and completing applications.  In addition to one-on-one advising, counselors conduct school wide events and informational campaigns such as “College Application Week” and “FAFSA Frenzy.” They also coordinate college campus tours, host college fairs, and connect with students during the summer months to provide continued support, even after graduation.  

Impact: 

The impact of Advise TN can be felt across the state with over 60,000 students served since the program began in 2016. Across these 60,000 students, advisers have held over 197,000 advising meetings.  The program has seen a 6% increase in college enrollment since the introduction of the program, and even higher percentages for Hispanic, female, and rural students. 

Population Served:  

Advise TN is currently operational within 34 school districts across Tennessee, serving approximately 4,000 high school students annually.  

Learn more here. 

Page last updated in August 2026