Amends TCA Title 49.

Under this bill, a student who is eligible under present law for both a Tennessee reconnect grant and a Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant may receive both awards for the sole purpose of attending an information technology credentialing institution. This bill limits the total amount that a student may receive from both grants to $4,000. This bill defines "information technology credentialing institution" as an institution that meets the following: (A) At least 50 percent of the institution's programs prepare the students enrolled in the institution for third-party industry recognized credential exams related to the programs in which the students are enrolled. The third-party industry recognized credentials must include certain certifications, which are specified in this bill and include certain CompTIA and Microsoft certifications; (B) The institution requires each student who is enrolled in a program that prepares the student for a third-party industry recognized credential exam to take the third-party industry recognized credential exam related to the program in which the student is enrolled in order to be eligible for graduation; (C) The institution is a nonprofit entity; (D) The institution is authorized to operate by THEC; (E) The institution is subject to an external annual audit, in addition to the audits required by present law under provisions governing the tuition guaranty fund; and (F) The institution is domiciled in this state and offers in-person instructional opportunities. This bill provides that prior to enrolling students with a Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant, an information technology credentialing institution must have continually operated in this state for the three immediately preceding years. This bill sets out in detail qualifications for a student to be eligible under this bill, which include that the student has not previously earned an associate or baccalaureate degree. To continue to be eligible to receive the Tennessee reconnect grant and the Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant, a student must, among other things, maintain a passing score at the end of each academic year as determined by the information technology credentialing institution attended. This bill requires THEC to evaluate outcomes associated during the first three years that qualified students may receive both the Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant and the Tennessee reconnect grant for the sole purpose of attending an information technology credentialing institution. The commission must report its findings to the education instruction committee and the education administration committee of the house of representatives and the education committee of the senate no later than January 15, 2026.