University of Tennessee to Offer Some Students Free Tuition

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The University of Tennessee will soon begin providing free tuition to Tennessee residents starting in the fall of 2020. Interim President Randy Boyd announced Thursday the program will cover tuition and fees for students with a household income of less than $50,000 a year. Boyd revealed the plan during the annual State of the UT address in Nashville. Qualifying students will be matched with volunteer mentors and complete service learning hours each semester. Students enrolled in the program in 2020 will include previously enrolled and incoming students. Tennessee five years ago became the first state to make community college tuition-free for new high school graduates. It later expanded the program to allow older adults. Currently, 46 percent of UT students graduate without debt.