Nashville Flex

In January 2022, through a grant from the Kresge Foundation, TCASN partnered with Nashville State Community College, the Nashville Chamber of Commerce and Vanderbilt University to launch Nashville Flex. Nashville Flex provides wrap-around services that remove financial barriers and provide academic, social and emotional support to Nashville State students residing in Davidson County as they persist and graduate from college.

Flex students, similar to Nashville GRAD students, are a assigned a dedicated success adviser who they meet with at least twice monthly to help navigate higher education and keep them on track.

To assist with non-tuition related expenses of going to college, students are provided:

• a loaner laptop,

• a stipend to assist with textbooks,

• $150 per month in gift cards to help with expenses like gas or groceries.

Due to the programs great success, in December 2023, Mayor Freddie O’Connell approved use of funds from the Nashville GRAD program to include Nashville Flex program participants, giving part-time students access to important supports to complete their degrees.

TCASN continues to work with Flex partners to expand the program to more students at NSCC and to additional college campuses.