Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant
The Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant is for Tennessee students pursuing hands-on training at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology, not at every college in the state. The Board of Regents lists up to $2,000 per year for students who meet age, residency, enrollment, and progress rules. The award targets certificate and diploma programs, so compare a course plan and its length with the occupations it prepares students to enter.
About Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant
The Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant is for Tennessee students pursuing hands-on training at a Tennessee College of Applied Technology, not at every college in the state. The Board of Regents lists up to $2,000 per year for students who meet age, residency, enrollment, and progress rules. The award targets certificate and diploma programs, so compare a course plan and its length with the occupations it prepares students to enter.
Published general rules require applicants to be at least 18, have lived in Tennessee for at least one year before enrollment, and meet program admission requirements. Full-time and part-time students may qualify, but they must maintain satisfactory academic progress and continuous enrollment. If a student leaves the college or changes programs, ask immediately whether eligibility carries over; do not assume a break transfers automatically to another campus.
The application starts with the FAFSA and enrollment in a TCAT certificate or diploma program. TBR lists deadlines tied to its trimesters: July 1 for summer, November 1 for fall, and March 1 for winter/spring. As of this October 2026 review, the fall date has passed; the next state winter/spring date is March 1, 2027. The campus may require additional steps, so ask before building a term budget.
“Up to $2,000” is the published annual ceiling, not a promise that every student will receive that amount or that all costs will be covered. Ask whether it applies to tuition, fees, or a balance after other aid, how renewal works, and what pace or GPA the school requires. Keep FAFSA confirmation, technical-program admission, and the financial-aid response. If funding is limited or charges remain, compare institutional scholarships and payment plans before turning to private credit.
Ask financial aid for a term-by-term estimate separating tuition, fees, housing, and other expenses. Keep the award decision, any service or loan agreement, and renewal records. If your studies, residence, or employment change, contact the administrator before making a decision that could affect the aid.
College scholarship and financial-aid program