Compare and Contrast: Tennessee and Alabama Launch Direct Admissions Programs

By Alessandra Ciprani-Detres, Senior Associate, Strategic Initiatives

Reading time: Four minutes

Direct admissions is a growing strategy aimed at simplifying the college application process and increasing college-going rates. Each direct admissions program varies in the ways students receive their offers, next steps, and information about financial aid packages.  

Most recently, Tennessee and Alabama launched statewide direct admissions programs. Both programs are run differently but have a shared purpose: to show more students that they are wanted by colleges and to simplify the college admissions process. Check out how these two Southern states differ in executing their direct admissions programs below. 

The primary difference between these two programs lies in the steps students have to take before receiving their offers. In Tennessee, students must complete the Tennessee Promise application to participate in direct admissions. After this, offers are extended to students based on existing academic data, and the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) submits additional necessary information to the colleges on students’ behalf.

Alabama’s model also requires some upfront effort. Students create a Match profile and submit their transcripts before they can receive a direct admissions offer. While both states require students to complete some steps before offers are made, their approaches still streamline the college admissions process. Having one “application” potentially yield multiple college admissions letters can help reduce undermatching, especially for students who might not have applied to a wide range of colleges to start. 

Incentivizing Enrollment with Financial Aid 

A promising practice from both programs is connecting direct admissions with financial aid. Alabama is incentivizing participation with a $5,000 scholarship drawing for students who complete their Match profiles. Tennessee, while not directly providing scholarships to students through direct admissions, attaches information about financial aid alongside offers that will help students better understand whether and how they may be able to pay for college.  

Elsewhere, other direct admissions programs even guarantee scholarships to students if they accept a direct admissions offer. The University of Utah, for example, promises that any student who enrolls through the Utah Direct program will receive a $3,000 annual scholarship for four years if they maintain a 3.5 GPA and are enrolled full-time. While this is an institution-level direct admissions program, it opens the door for state-level programs to consider similar incentives, which could potentially help states retain more students and strengthen local economies.

A Research Initiative in Tennessee

Tennessee is also launching a research initiative alongside the pilot program to explore whether connecting direct admissions with clear financial aid information can influence students’ college-going behavior. As more states consider direct admissions, Tennessee’s findings will provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t in helping students take the next step toward higher education. 

The program and research efforts are led by THEC in partnership with various philanthropies, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Making Care Common at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. 

A Promising Partnership in Alabama 

Match, a technology acquired by EAB, is partnering with Alabama Possible to let students create an online profile and upload their transcripts. These simple steps, done either independently or with the help of a counselor, open the door for colleges to send admissions and scholarship offers. Once students receive their offers, they indicate which ones they’re interested in and then receive their official admission package.  

Match isn’t just for students. High school counselors and administrators can use it to track admissions offers and awarded scholarships, nudge students to respond, and even upload transcripts in bulk for students. By showing which students need follow-up, Match can help optimize counselors' workload and keep the direct admissions process moving. 

Direct Admissions Is Gaining Steam

Alabama and Tennessee are not the only states to launch a direct admissions program. Illinois, North Carolina, Oregon are examples of states that have also recently passed or launched direct admissions programs. There’s no one-size-fits-all model as each state has its own unique needs, priorities, and limitations. By sharing these various approaches, NCAN hopes that your state, institution, or community can formulate a direct admissions program that meets their specific needs. 

Interested in learning about even more direct admissions models? Check out NCAN’s recent webinar recording that highlights direct admissions programs from The Common App, Idaho State Board of Education, and UP Partnership in San Antonio, Texas. 

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