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Tennessee Wilder-Naifeh Grant: $2,000 for study at a TCAT

The grant helps Tennessee residents at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology; FAFSA must be filed by the term deadline.

Maskay editorial team Updated

Tennessee’s Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant supports adults pursuing career training at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT). It is not the same benefit as Tennessee Promise or TCAT Reconnect: it provides a state grant for technical training tuition and can reach students who do not qualify for last-dollar programs.

TBR lists a minimum age of 18, at least one year of Tennessee residency before applying, enrollment in an eligible TCAT program, and FAFSA each cycle. Students must meet satisfactory academic progress and remain enrolled under campus rules. For modular programs, ask how the college converts clock hours into the enrollment level used for the grant.

The award is up to $2,000 per academic year for tuition and technical-training charges; the amount depends on enrollment and program cost. It does not automatically cover housing, transportation, or living expenses. Unlike TCAT Reconnect, it should not be described as aid that pays every remaining balance after other scholarships.

File FAFSA and complete the TCAT’s application or form. TBR lists separate deadlines: July 1 for summer, November 1 for fall, and March 1 for winter/spring. As of October 2026, the fall date has passed; ask the campus whether it can still review your file and prepare for the winter/spring 2027 deadline.

This is not TCAT Reconnect: Wilder-Naifeh has separate caps, eligibility, and deadlines and does not promise to cover total cost. Read the program profile and the administering office; ask your campus financial-aid office to review your individual file.

Wilder-Naifeh Grants — Tennessee Board of Regents.

Tennessee Financial Aid Programs — Tennessee Higher Education Commission.

Wilder-Naifeh Grant Inventory — Tennessee State Government.

Information checked on October 13, 2026 against official sources. Cycles, funding, and deadlines can change each year. Where the 2026–27 deadline has passed, this is stated clearly; check the next application cycle and do not assume an award is automatic.

Bottom line

This is not TCAT Reconnect: Wilder-Naifeh has separate caps, eligibility, and deadlines and does not promise to cover total cost.

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Sources & references

Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.

  1. Official website ↗ Primary source Tennessee Board of Regents · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  2. Official website ↗ Primary source Tennessee Higher Education Commission · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  3. Official website ↗ Primary source Tennessee State Government · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  4. Official application and program information ↗ Primary source Tennessee Board of Regents · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  5. Official website of Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant ↗ Primary source Tennessee Higher Education Commission · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  6. Official website of Tennessee Board of Regents — Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant ↗ Primary source Tennessee Higher Education Commission · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  7. Official website of Tennessee Board of Regents — Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant ↗ Primary source Tennessee State Government · Accessed October 13, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

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