The Ayers Foundation Trust is proud to announce students in its signature college access and success program, the Ayers Scholars Program, earned a 94.4 percent FAFSA completion rate for the Class of 2024 during one of the most challenging years since the federal student aid application opened. 

Moreover, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) recently designated 32 Ayers partner high schools as 2024 FAFSA Champions, representing more than a quarter of the 117 high schools named statewide. 

THEC and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) designate FAFSA Champion schools as those whose Tennessee Promise FAFSA completion rate exceeds 90% or has increased by 5% or more compared to the previous year. 

Tennessee once again led the nation in FAFSA completion, thanks in large part to a 94.4 percent average FAFSA completion rate for students supported in the Ayers Scholars Program, which was 20 percentage points higher than the state’s average completion rate (73.9%).

“When students fill out the FAFSA, they unlock opportunities they otherwise may never have known existed,” said Dr. Burton Williams, CEO of the Ayers Foundation Trust. “We serve rural, primarily low-income, first-generation college students who see tremendous benefits from financial aid that allows them to follow their dreams. We are thrilled to help Tennessee once again lead the nation in FAFSA completions.” 

The Ayers Scholars Program partners with 33 high schools across 21 of Tennessee’s most economically at-risk and distressed rural counties. Ayers college access counselors and student success coordinators are embedded in partner high schools and focus solely on helping high school students navigate the college admissions and financial aid application process. 

“Our staff puts in countless hours to ensure each and every student we serve develops a roadmap to reach their goals, whether it be TCAT, military, apprenticeships, community college, or 4-year universities,” said Dr. Lorisa Williams, Interim Chief Scholars Officer. “The FAFSA is a critical component of our work, because so many of our students are eligible for financial aid they were not aware of.” 

Ayers High Schools Designated as FAFSA Champions 

West Tennessee 

• Adamsville Junior / Senior High School 
• Benton High School – Designated with Highest Completion Rate (100%)
• Camden Central High School 
• Hardin County High School 
• Haywood High School 
• Lexington High School 
• McNairy Central High School 
• Ripley High School 
• Riverside High School 
• Scotts Hill High School 

Middle Tennessee 

• Big Sandy School – Designated with Highest Completion Rate (100%)
• Collinwood High School 
• Frank Hughes School – Designated with Highest Completion Rate (100%)
• Houston County High School 
• Lawrence County High School 
• Lewis County High School 
• Loretto High School 
• Perry County High School 
• Summertown High School 
• Warren County High School – Designated Most Improved in the State (+20.5%)

East Tennessee

• Bledsoe County High School
• Campbell County Comprehensive High School 
• Claiborne High School
• Cocke County High School  
• Cosby High School 
• Cumberland Gap High School 
• Jellico High School – Designated with Highest Completion Rate (100%)
• Meigs County High School 
• Oneida High School 
• Scott High School – Designated Most Improved in the State (+33.4%)
• Unicoi County High School 
• Union County High School – Designated with Highest Completion Rate (100%)

Research shows that students who complete the FAFSA are significantly more likely to enroll in higher education or technical training after high school. Tennessee’s Class of 2023 reported the largest increase in its college-going rate in nearly a decade, reaching 56.7 percent. The college-going rate in the high schools where the Ayers Scholars Program is at work was 66 percent for the Class of 2023.