Objective: States increasingly create promise programs to increase college enrollment and degree attainment. The objective of this study was to understand the experiences of adult learners using the Tennessee Reconnect Grant (TN Reconnect) as they transitioned to becoming college students. Methods: Drawing upon interviews with 23 adult learners, this longitudinal qualitative study applied Schlossberg’s Transition Theory to explore the experience of transitioning to college. Results: Findings revealed students who used the TN Reconnect, many of whom were first-generation and low-income students, faced insurmountable barriers that contributed to their decision to initially not enroll in college or drop out of college. Access to TN Reconnect provided an unexpected opportunity for them to return to college. However, participants still faced barriers often associated with adult, first-generation, and low-income students. Contributions: Findings suggest state and institutional policy, and practice must adapt to fit the unique needs of adult learners to maximize degree completion outcomes. As currently structured, promise programs may not provide substantial benefits to student groups who face significant barriers to success, such as adult learners. State policymakers must explore the benefits of adopting a more equitable policy structure and/or implement additional services and resources for adult learners.

目标：各州越来越多地制定承诺计划以提高大学入学率和学位获得率。本研究的目的是了解成年学习者在过渡为大学生时使用田纳西重新连接补助金 (TN Reconnect) 的经历。方法：通过对 23 名成人学习者的访谈，这项纵向定性研究应用 Schlossberg 的过渡理论来探索过渡到大学的经历。结果：调查结果显示，使用 TN Reconnect 的学生（其中许多是第一代和低收入学生）面临着无法克服的障碍，导致他们决定最初不上大学或辍学。使用 TN Reconnect 为他们提供了一个意想不到的重返大学的机会。然而，参与者仍然面临通常与成人、第一代和低收入学生相关的障碍。贡献：调查结果表明国家和机构的政策和实践必须适应成人学习者的独特需求，以最大限度地提高学位完成成果。按照目前的结构，承诺计划可能无法为面临重大成功障碍的学生群体（例如成人学习者）带来实质性好处。州政策制定者必须探索采用更公平的政策结构和/或为成人学习者实施额外服务和资源的好处。