by Carjamin Scott on June 14, 2018, at 5:02 p.m. CST

tnAchieves in partnership with TN Promise and the TN Student Assistance Corporation is seeking mentors for the high school graduation class of 2019. Mentors alert students about upcoming deadlines, scholarship community service requirements, and related in-person mandatory meetings. New mentors are required to attend a one hour mandatory training meeting and two one hour meetings with their assigned students. On average, a mentor will spend less than 10-12 hours yearly communicating with students about TN Promise eligibility requirements. Here is what it takes to become a mentor.

• Be 21 years of age or older.
• Apply by December 1.
• Be subject to a background check.
• Complete mandatory mentor training in February.
• Attend the mandatory high school team meeting in March or April.
• Attend the college team meeting in the fall, usually October.
• Contact students at least once every two weeks from March through December.

During the course of the TN Promise program, many students miss deadlines and other requirements resulting in ineligibility for the scholarship. This is why mentors are needed to alert students about program requirements and help them with navigating the college admissions process.

Generally, mentors are assigned 5-10 students. During the course of the TN Promise program, many students miss deadlines and other requirements resulting in ineligibility for the scholarship.

This is why mentors are needed to alert students about program requirements and help them with navigating the college admissions process. The preferred method of contact is text message. Mentors are not expected to be TN Promise scholarship experts. Instead, they are local citizens who will help students navigate the college admission process and ensure they complete the Tennessee Promise program requirements in order to receive the scholarship. Below is a list of expectations for great mentors.

Mentors are not expected to be TN Promise scholarship experts. Instead, they are local citizens who will help students navigate the college admission process and ensure they complete the Tennessee Promise program requirements in order to receive the scholarship.

• Reach out to parents/guardians if possible.
• Remind students of all meetings and deadlines.
• Attend both team meetings.
• Encourage students to reach their potential.
• Play an active role in eliminating barriers associated with post-secondary access and success.
• Assist students with community service opportunities.
• Lessen the post-secondary intimidation factor by sharing personal experiences.

Are you ready to become a TN Promise mentor with me? Let them know ‘Carjamin Scott’ told you about the program on section 2 of the application! Apply here.

Are you a TN Promise student with a story to share? Email me to be featured.

Request to publish or suggest a correction here.

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Carjamin Scott can be reached at carjamin.scott@gmail.com and you can follow her on twitter @scottcarjie.