NASHVILLE, TN (WGNS) - Advise TN launched in 2017 with a simple goal: help students see that they can shape their own futures. The program places full‑time advisors in high schools with historically low college‑going rates, meeting one‑on‑one with students and families to talk through life after graduation. That includes everything from college applications and financial aid to apprenticeships and workforce training.
Researchers found that the program’s impact comes from hands‑on help with key steps — especially FAFSA completion and scholarship applications. Students who met with their advisor multiple times, worked with advisors in person or in hybrid formats, and attended schools where advisors carried manageable caseloads saw the strongest results.
The gains were even more pronounced for students who often face the highest barriers, including those in rural or low‑income areas. The findings build on earlier results released in 2024 showing that Advise TN not only boosts immediate enrollment but helps sustain momentum over time.
Dr. Steven Gentile, THEC’s executive director, said the data reinforces what Tennessee has long known: education after high school pays off. “Postsecondary graduates have higher lifetime earnings, greater job satisfaction, better physical and mental health, and are more likely to participate in their community,” he said. “Whether a student’s goal is college, TCAT, trade school, the military, or the workforce, Advise TN helps them take the steps to get there.”
Researchers highlighted three components that make the program work: professional full‑time advisors, centralized training and data support, and community‑based advising that builds real relationships. Dr. Taylor Odle, who led the study, said the program stands out nationally for delivering validated statewide impact through a focused, high‑frequency model.
THEC leaders say Advise TN is efficient, accountable, and aligned with Tennessee’s workforce needs — a strong return on investment at a time when budgets are tight and expectations are high.
