Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 9.

This bill allows a student who earns their first baccalaureate degree in less than the projected time to continue to receive the Tennessee HOPE scholarship in pursuit of an advanced degree as described below. <br /> <br /> Under current law, a Tennessee HOPE scholarship is for coursework in an eligible program of study in pursuit of certain degrees at eligible postsecondary institutions that are funded from net proceeds of the state lottery and is awarded to students who meet specific requirements. A student can generally receive a HOPE scholarship until the first of either the student earning their first baccalaureate degree or five years having passed from the date of the student's initial enrollment at any postsecondary institution. <br /> <br /> This bill allows a Tennessee HOPE scholarship student to continue to receive the scholarship after earning their first baccalaureate degree if the student:<br /> <br /> (1) Continues to meet all applicable eligibility and academic requirements for the student's Tennessee HOPE scholarship;<br /> <br /> (2) Earned their first baccalaureate degree, while receiving the HOPE scholarship, in less than the number of academic semesters projected by the eligible postsecondary institution for a full-time student to complete the student's program of study, as determined by the postsecondary institution's course catalog for the academic year in which the student first enrolled; and <br /> <br /> (3) Is admitted and enrolled in coursework for a program of study in pursuit of a master's degree, doctorate, or other advanced degree at an eligible postsecondary institution within three months of the student receiving their first baccalaureate degree. <br /> <br /> This bill authorizes an eligible student to continue to receive the scholarship: <br /> <br /> (1) In the amount received by the student for the last semester in which the student was making satisfactory progress in the course of study that culminated with the student earning their first baccalaureate degree; and <br /> <br /> (2) For each semester that the student would have been eligible to receive the student's HOPE scholarship had the student not completed the student's program of study in less than the number of academic semesters projected for a full-time student to earn the student's respective baccalaureate degree. <br /> <br /> This bill does not allow a student to receive a HOPE scholarship if five years have passed from the date of the student's initial enrollment at a postsecondary institution, unless an exception or other provision of law applies. <br /> <br /> The Tennessee student assistance corporation is authorized to promulgate rules to effectuate this bill.<br /> <br /> ON APRIL 20, 2023, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT # 1 AND RESET HOUSE BILL 27, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill and changes present law, which provides that an eligible program of study, for purposes of obtaining a HOPE access grant or scholarship, includes a federal Title IV-eligible curriculum of courses leading to a certificate, diploma, or an associate or baccalaureate degree at an eligible postsecondary institution, to add such curriculum of courses leading to an advanced degree.<br /> <br /> FULL-TIME STUDENT<br /> <br /> For provisions relative to being eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, Tennessee HOPE foster child tuition grant, or Tennessee rural health scholarship based on being a full-time student, the term "full-time student" means a student attending a postsecondary educational institution and enrolled for at least 12 semester hours during each semester of attendance. This amendment applies that definition to undergraduate students and clarifies that, for graduate students, "full-time student" means a graduate student enrolled in the requisite number of semester hours, as determined by the institution attended.<br /> <br /> PART-TIME STUDENT<br /> <br /> For provisions relative to being eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, or continuing to be eligible for a Tennessee reconnect grant, based on being a part-time student, the term "part-time student" means a student attending a postsecondary educational institution and enrolled for at least six semester hours, but less than 12 semester hours, during a semester of attendance. This amendment applies that definition to undergraduate students and clarifies that, for graduate students, "part-time student" means a graduate student who is enrolled in less than the number of semester hours required by the institution for full-time students, as determined by the institution attended.<br /> <br /> NONTRADITIONAL STUDENTS<br /> <br /> For provisions relative to HOPE scholarships, present law defines a nontraditional student as a student who meets the following criteria:<br /> <br /> (1) Is an independent student, as determined by the FAFSA, and who meets certain eligibility qualifications; or<br /> <br /> (2) Enrolls in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible four-year postsecondary institution while maintaining continuous enrollment following completion of an associate degree through the Tennessee reconnect grant.<br /> <br /> This amendment rewrites (1) to require, instead, that such student is an independent student, as determined by the FAFSA, who has enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible four-year postsecondary institution and attempted at least 12 semester hours.<br /> <br /> Present law provides that, to be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, a nontraditional student must, among other things, do the following:<br /> <br /> (1) Have attempted at least 12 semester hours and received a Tennessee HOPE scholarship as a nontraditional student while enrolled in an associate degree program at an eligible postsecondary institution prior to August 1, 2018;<br /> <br /> (2) Enroll in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible four-year postsecondary institution and attempt at least 12 semester hours; or <br /> <br /> (3) Enroll in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible four-year postsecondary institution while maintaining continuous enrollment immediately following completion of an associate degree under the Tennessee reconnect grant.<br /> <br /> This amendment rewrites the provisions above to provide, instead, that, to be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, a nontraditional student must, among other things, not have earned a baccalaureate or advanced degree prior to initially receiving an award.<br /> <br /> EXPIRATION OF AWARD<br /> <br /> Present law generally provides that HOPE access grants and scholarships are available until the student has earned a baccalaureate degree or five years have passed from the initial enrollment at any postsecondary institution. This amendment provides, instead, that such awards are available until the student has earned a baccalaureate degree or an advanced degree, or five years have passed from the initial enrollment at any postsecondary institution.<br /> <br /> ON APRIL 21, 2023, THE HOUSE FURTHER CONSIDERED HOUSE BILL 27, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2, AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 27, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #2 revises a provision of present law pertaining to TSAC promulgating rules regarding the repayment or partial repayment of a HOPE scholarship or grant awarded to a student who subsequently withdraws from courses or from the postsecondary institution. Present law provides that such repayment is not required if a full-time student withdraws from a course and the withdrawal does not reduce the student's course load below 12 semester hours. This amendment continues to apply that provision to undergraduate students and clarifies that, for graduate students, repayment is not required if the graduate student withdraws from a course and the withdrawal does not reduce the student's course load below the number of hours required for fill-time attendance as a graduate student by the institution attended.<br />