Tennessee Tech launching its seventh annual Putnam First initiative Monday to provide Putnam County residents an exclusive two-week window to apply for the 2027-2028 academic year before the general public.
Director of Admissions Jacob Cutshall said the program allows local students to submit their applications for the upcoming school year with the application fee waived for any local residents who apply during this specific early period.
“Putnam County has always been an important part of Tennessee Tech’s story, and we’re proud to give local students the first opportunity to apply each year,” Cutshall said. “We want Putnam Countians to know that we never take them for granted. They’ve grown up with this university, and we love it when our neighbors also become our students.”
Cutshall said the general application process for all other prospective students will not open until Monday, August 3. Cutshall said the initiative represents a component of the ongoing partnership between the university and the surrounding community.
“The way Putnam County has always supported Tennessee Tech and championed our students is one of the things that truly makes this university special,” Cutshall said. “Putnam First is a small but meaningful way we can give back with this exclusive invitation to complete a free early application for fall 2027.”
Cutshall said the university will also participate in local events including the fourth annual College Town Kickoff in Cookeville on Saturday, August 22. Cutshall said the downtown celebration will include live music, food trucks, and family-friendly activities.
Cutshall said Tennessee Tech is currently recognized as the top-ranked public university in the state by Money.com. Cutshall said the institution offers more than 265 programs of study and maintains a record of graduates leaving with the least amount of debt among Tennessee public universities.
