REDI

REDI\College Access Program FAQ

REDI is an acronym for Regional Economic Development Initiative formed by the Southwest Tennessee Development District.  REDI’s focus is to create regional collaboration in the 12 REDI counties in West Tennessee. 

 

The REDI College Access Program is the cornerstone of REDI initiative.  The College Access Program is a two phase program designed to change the educational culture of the region.  Phase I is to develop a mentoring program in each of the counties.  Phase II is to work with the counties to help provide “Last Dollar” scholarships.

Research shows that early in their middle and high school careers, the vast majority of students, regardless of race or class, aspire to attain some sort of post secondary education. Career visioning, college discussions, college visits and the cultivation of college aspiration help our youth stay focused on school and dedicated to their own individual growth. Most services currently being provided to West Tennessee youth are concentrated on encouraging students to aspire to post-secondary education and helping them academically achieve. Services often decline and become increasingly remote as the complexity of the admissions and financial aid issues increase. The “gap” in services is due to the need for an organization that can fill the skill set gap, provide experience and expertise, and act as a referral source when the issue becomes better addressed by another community expert.  The REDI College Access Program is here to fill that “gap.”

Educational and economic opportunity is part of the American dream that now requires a post secondary degree. The College Access Program is prepared to pair you up with a trained mentor who is knowledgeable on matters related to financial aid, college admissions criteria, and career advisement.  We specialize in working with teachers, parents, mentors, counselors, and other adults who support students on the path to a college education.

 

Any persons living in one of the REDI counties who have obtained either a regular high school diploma or their G.E.D. is eligible to participate.

Students currently residing in the following counties can participate in REDI:  Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Fayette, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Lauderdale, McNairy and Tipton.

 

The eligible schools are determined by each participating county.

 

Each county in the REDI district has the authority to determine which schools students must attend in order to receive any Last Dollar Scholarships which may be awarded to eligible first-time, full-time students.  Potential schools include: Jackson State Community College, Dyersburg State Community College, or Southwest Tennessee Community College; Tennessee Technology Centers (TTC) at either Covington, Crump, Jackson, Ripley, or Whiteville or one of the four University of Tennessee at Martin extension campuses in either Parsons, Jackson, Selmer, or Ripley. Scholarship applicants must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15th of each year.  A last dollar scholarship is granted when the student’s official Expected Family Contribution (EFC), indicated on the Student Aid Report (SAR), and financial aid package total are less than the cost of attendance. In other words, last dollar scholarships are awarded to students with unmet financial need.

 

No.  In order to receive the last dollar scholarship, you must attend one of the schools on the eligible schools list in your county.

 

At this time, only one of the 12 counties is offering this program to non-traditional students or students who have already graduated. Others may choose to add these students at a later date.  Please contact us to see what your county of residence is offering.

 

FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is a free form that may be completed without professional assistance via paper or electronic forms provided by the U.S. Department of Education. To apply for federal financial aid, you need to fill out the FAFSA and return it to the U.S. Department of Education, which processes it and sends the information to the colleges you've listed on the form. Schools use the information to decide how much financial aid they will give you if you attend their institution.  The deadline for Tennessee students to complete their FASFA application is February 15th of each year.

 

 The FAFSA is available free electronically or in paper form.

 The electronic version is online at www.fafsa.gov.

 A paper version is available by calling (800) 4-FED-AID or (800) 433-3243.

 

Yes.  However, the county in which you reside sets the GPA and ACT or SAT criteria.  Check with your local College Access coordinators for the current requirement.

 

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