TN Promise Seeks Mentors

Montgomery County Government is seeking community volunteers to mentor students taking part in the Tennessee Promise program. Tennessee Promise allows any Tennessee high school graduate the opportunity to attend a community college, Tennessee College of Applied Technology or to get an applicable associate's degree from a four-year institution, tuition free. Mentors are assigned to students within their county and help students eliminate the barriers of accessing post-secondary education.

Montgomery County Mayor Jim Durrett states, "In Montgomery County, we have 509 students currently taking part in the TN Promise program. This equates to over $5,000,000 in scholarships for students that wouldn't otherwise be college bound!" He continues, "We estimate a need of 302 mentors for the 2016 school year and onlyhave 58 signed up so far. I ask the community to step up and sign up to be a mentor, and give these kids the help they need to become successful college students. We all have 10-15 hours a year to spare, I encourage you to use it to help a student and sign up to mentor today!"

Mentors must be 21 years or older and willing to invest 10-15 hours annually assisting five to ten high school seniors with post secondary success. Mentors are notasked to assist with school work, only to help students meet program deadlines and requirements through email and text communication. All mentors are subject to a minimum background check. Mentors must apply online at www.tnachieves.org by November 20, 2015. Mentors will not be paired with students until spring 2016.

For more information on Tennessee Promise, visit www.tnpromise.gov.