All October deadlines

Teen, college, Medicare, benefits, and undated items live here so the email can stay short.

School and community

Fall break, Oct 5–9: Rutherford County Schools and Murfreesboro City SchoolsBoth districts closed. Rutherford County Schools conferences Tue Oct 20; Murfreesboro City Schools conferences Tue Nov 3 (no school). Rutherford County Schools calendar (opens in a new tab), Murfreesboro City Schools calendar (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 1Daylight saving time 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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