COTC Knox Promise

Free College for Eligible Knox County Residents

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Young man standing outside, smiling.

We’re invested in you. 

And we’ll be there as you go to work on your goals — as you invest in yourself. 

If you’ve been out of school for a while — or even if you’ve never thought that college was for you — our small class sizes and expert faculty make learning personal. Train for a lifetime career you’ll love, upskill and advance, or even start a bachelor’s degree. At COTC, your goals are our goals. Take a look and see how COTC can help you redefine what’s possible. 

What is the COTC Promise?

COTC guarantees that tuition (instructional and general fees) will be entirely covered by institutional, federal and state aid as well as private scholarships.

Who is eligible for the COTC Promise?

Current residents who have lived in Knox County for at least one year.

A student with an annual household income of $60,000 or less reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Other COTC Promise eligibility information:
  • Open to new, current or returning COTC students who do not already hold a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree.
  • Open to students enrolled in an aid-eligible COTC degree or certificate program. The plan of study for each COTC degree or certificate will state whether it is aid-eligible.
  • Current and returning COTC students must meet the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA and continue meeting the standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress and maintain all other federal eligibility requirements each semester enrolled at COTC to maintain COTC Promise eligibility.
  • Eligibility determined each year based on household income on the FAFSA and continued county residency.
  • Enroll in as little as one credit hour in your program each semester.
  • No lifetime dollar limit to Promise awards.

Where can eligible students use COTC Promise funds?

Enroll at any COTC campus or online.

How do students apply for the COTC Promise?

There is no separate application for the COTC Promise.

Students who have been admitted to COTC, completed the FAFSA and submitted any additional documentation requested for the financial aid process will automatically be considered.

Contact admissions for more information. 

740.392.2526

cotcadmissions@mail.cotc.edu

Schedule an Appointment 

Get started now.

Apply to COTC

File the FAFSA