← Back to the October newsletter

All October deadlines

Dates confirmed Sept 14, 2026. Teen, college, Medicare, benefits, and undated items live here so the email can stay short.

School and community

Fall break, Oct 5–9: RCS and MCSBoth districts closed. RCS conferences Tue Oct 20; MCS conferences Tue Nov 3 (no school). RCS (opens in a new tab), MCS (opens in a new tab)
Voter registration deadline: Mon Oct 5For the Nov 3 election. Early voting Oct 14–29; disability mail-ballot requests by Sat Oct 24. GoVoteTN (opens in a new tab)
Clocks fall back: Sun Nov 1DST ends 2:00 AM. Shift bedtime gradually if sleep is fragile. NIST (opens in a new tab)

Insurance and health

Medicare open enrollment: Oct 15–Dec 7Compare or switch drug and Advantage plans for 2027. TN SHIP: 1-877-801-0044. Medicare.gov (opens in a new tab)
HealthCare.gov: Nov 1–Jan 15Enroll by Dec 15 for Jan 1 coverage. Kids may qualify for TennCare or CoverKids any time. Dates (opens in a new tab)
Katie Beckett (TennCare)Apply any time; Part B has a waiting list. Katie Beckett guide

Money and benefits

SSI / Social Security COLA announced: Wed Oct 14Expected with the September inflation report; new amounts start in January. SSA COLA (opens in a new tab)

Teens and college

FAFSA for 2027–28 opens: Thu Oct 1Free. TN Promise students must file by April 1, 2027. StudentAid.gov (opens in a new tab)
Education Freedom Scholarship office hours: Thu Oct 1, 1–2 PM CT2027–28 application dates not posted yet. EFS (opens in a new tab)
Tennessee Promise deadline: Mon Nov 2Class of 2027. CollegeforTN (opens in a new tab)
ACT accommodations for Dec 12: Fri Nov 6Through your school testing coordinator. ACT accommodations (opens in a new tab)
Individualized Education Account: projected Feb 16, 2027Needs an active IEP and a prior year in a Tennessee public school. IEA (opens in a new tab)

Undated

Salvation Army Angel Tree (Rutherford & Cannon)Family registration is full; spots may reopen. Adoptions open Nov 6. Angel Tree (opens in a new tab)

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