Hunters Lane Students to Get State's Help for College Prep

NASHVILLE, TN — Hunters Lane High School students will be getting an assist from the state as they prepare to apply for college.

Hunters Lane is one of 30 schools statewide selected to participate in the new Advise TN program, designed to provide more than 10,000 Tennessee high schoolers with college counseling services.

Developed by the governor’s office and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, Advise TN is part of an effort to increase the already-growing college enrollment rate, which set a state record in 2015 with 62.5 percent.

“Advise TN was developed to build on the work being done to create a college-going culture across the state. We want students to know that college isn’t only an option for them, it’s an expectation,” Gov. Haslam said in a release. “Providing one more adult in students’ lives to help them navigate the transition from high school to college helps these students succeed, and it also supports our state and Drive to 55 goals.”

Advise TN services will include one-on-one counseling sessions for each junior and senior to map out college goals, participation in events such as College App Week and TN FAFSA Frenzy, and ensuring students are completing the applications and financial aid paperwork to enroll in college. Advise TN counselors will also provide parent and family outreach.

In May, Advise TN invited high schools with a college-going rate below the state average to apply for the program. Hunters Lane's college-going rate was 52 percent in 2012, the last year for which school-level data is available.

“The Advise TN partner schools are a diverse and exciting group of high schools,” THEC Executive Director Mike Krause said. “Each school brings a strong commitment to partnership with Advise TN and a relentless dedication to helping students access higher education opportunities.”

Advise TN was included in Governor Haslam’s 2016-17 budget proposal and approved by the General Assembly with funding of $2,455,800. Advise TN partner schools are expected to develop sustainability plans to continue the program beyond initial state funding.