Our Bureaus
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) is comprised of seven specialized bureaus. Together, they work to ensure that Tennessee’s high education enterprise meets the needs of students, families, and education partners.
The Bureau of Academic Affairs and Workforce Alignment oversees the development and quality of academic programs across Tennessee. It's responsibilities include approving new academic programs, facilitating efficient transfers between institutions, ensuring alignment with workforce needs, and promotion access to education through initiatives like the Academic Common Market, Veterans education and various transfer pathways. The bureau also emphasizes strategic collaboration with institutions to enhance education quality, accessibility, and alignment with economic and workforce demands.
The Access and Outreach Bureau, comprised of Adult Learner Initiatives, College Access and Success, and Financial Aid Outreach, is the public-facing bureau of THEC. Helping students go to college is at the forefront of our efforts, and we work relentlessly to make that dream a reality for Tennessee students. The bureau also manages and adminsters college access programs, including Advise TN, GEAR UP TN, Tennessee's Navigate Reconnect, and the THEC Financial Aid Outreach team.
The External Relations Bureau is responsible for telling our agency’s stories and fostering relationships that strengthen Tennessee’s higher education enterprise. The bureau is responsible for managing internal and external communications, event planning, government relations, and success initiatives for Tennessee’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The Finance and Administration Bureau consists of a business office, information technology, information systems and capital outlay. These divisions are responsible for purchasing, budgeting, accounting, desktop support, applications programming and capital outlay policy.
The Office of General Counsel manages the agency’s legal and procurement functions, as well as Commission meeting organization. In addition, the Office of General Counsel may help answer questions for the public about the State Employee Fee Waiver, Children of State Employees or Public School Teachers Fee Discount, and Public Records Requests.
The Policy, Planning, and Research (PPR) Bureau comprises THEC/TSAC’s data, research, and fiscal policy functions. More information about the Outcomes-Based Funding Formula, annual reports, and our data collection can be found under the "Data, Research, and Reports" navigation tab above.
The Student Aid and Compliance bureau houses the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) and all its functions. The bureau manages and administers all Tennessee scholarships, grants, and state aid, such as HOPE, Tennessee Promise, the Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA), and the Dual Enrollment Grant. Other bureau responsibilities include veterans education benefits and postsecondary state authorization.
Our new website is designed with you in mind! Below, you will learn more about the services THEC provides by visiting these three categories: