Putnam First is one of many ways that Tech and the local community have deepened their partnership
Tennessee Tech students smile for a photo at last year’s “College Town Kickoff,” an annual event for students and the public celebrating the university’s partnership with the local community
For the sixth straight year, Tennessee Tech University is giving back to its hometown community by offering Putnam Countians an exclusive early application window for fall 2026 admission.
Putnam County residents can apply to Tech for the 2026-2027 academic year beginning Tuesday, July 15, while applications for the general public will become available Friday, Aug. 1. Local students who apply to the university during this period will also receive a waived application fee.
The early application window and waived fee are part of Tech’s “Putnam First” initiative, which allows Putnam County students to complete a free application to Tech, gain admittance and get an early start on applying for university scholarships – all before applications open for other prospective students.
“We’re proud that Tennessee Tech attracts students from across the state, country and world, but we never lose sight of the fact that Putnam County is our home,” said Jacob Cutshall, director of admissions at Tech. “We want local students to know how valuable they are to the life of this university, and to remind them that they don’t have to travel far to get a world-class education.”
Putnam First is one of many ways that Tech and the local community have deepened their partnership in recent years. On Saturday, Aug. 23, Tech will host its third annual “College Town Kickoff,” a block party-style event in downtown Cookeville with live music, carnival games, food trucks and more.
On Friday, Sept. 5, the university will sponsor “Tech Night” at the annual Fall FunFest located at Cookeville’s courthouse square and presented by CityScape.
“The way Putnam County supports our Golden Eagles is one of the things that truly makes Tech special. Putnam First is our way of paying it forward with this exclusive invitation to complete a free early application for fall 2026,” concluded Cutshall.
Tennessee Tech is rated as the number one public university in Tennessee by Money and ranked as a “Best National University” by U.S. News & World Report. The university offers more than 225 programs of study, and Tech grads leave with the least debt of all public universities in Tennessee.
Putnam County residents can learn more about Putnam First and complete an early application beginning July 15 by visiting www.tntech.edu/putnamfirst.
Photo via Tech.
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