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Next Guide Senior Guide

The Next Guide

Designed for seniors across the state of Tennessee, the Next Guide is a resource to help students prepare for what’s “next” after high school graduation. Whether a student plans to enroll in a technical school, community college or university, join the military, or enter the workforce, the Next Guide contains resources that can help make those postsecondary goals a reality.

The Next Guide is divided into 7 sections:

  • Staying on Track
    This section contains checklists that provide an overview of the steps students will need to take during their senior year to enroll in a technical school, community college or university, join the military, or enter the workforce.
  • College Applications
    For students who plan to continue their education after high school, this section contains key information about applying to colleges, taking the ACT and/or SAT, applying for the TN Promise, and transferring from a community college to a 4-year university.
  • The FAFSA and Financial Aid
    In this section, students will find information about the financial aid application process, the financial aid available in Tennessee, creating an FSAID, filing the FAFSA, and ensuring the FAFSA is complete and error-free.
  • Scholarships
    This section provides students with tips on searching for scholarships, writing scholarship essays and personal statements, and requesting letters of recommendation.
  • Pursuing a Future in the Military
    This section gives students general information about enlisting and ROTC programs and provides students with links to helpful websites.
  • Joining the Workforce
    In this section, students will find information about searching for jobs, creating a resume, and writing a cover letter.
  • What's Next?
    This section contains a checklist of key items that students will need to complete after graduation to enroll in a technical school, community college or university.

For a "fillable pdf" version of the Next Guide, click here https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/gearuptn/documents/67310_HE_Senior%20Guides_Fillable.pdf

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