Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 9.

As described below, this bill makes changes to the law regarding eligibility for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, Tennessee HOPE access grant, Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarship, or Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant.<br /> <br /> ELIGIBLE POSTSECONDARY INSTITUTION<br /> <br /> Present law requires, amongst other things, a student to be admitted to an eligible postsecondary institution in order to be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, Tennessee HOPE access grant, Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarship, or Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant. An eligible postsecondary institution is defined as the following:<br /> <br /> (1) An institution created by testamentary trust for which the state acts by statute as trustee and for which the governor is authorized to appoint commissioners with the advice and consent of the senate and that offers courses leading to undergraduate degrees;<br /> <br /> (2) A private four-year postsecondary institution that has been chartered in this state as a not-for-profit entity for at least 100 years, has had its primary campus domiciled in this state for at least 125 years, awards baccalaureate degrees, and requires all students to participate in a four-level college work program in which students provide services to the institution and to the community;<br /> <br /> (3) A private postsecondary institution accredited by a regional accrediting association that has its primary campus domiciled in this state;<br /> <br /> (4) An institution operated by the board of regents of the state university and community college system; or<br /> <br /> (5) An institution in the University of Tennessee system.<br /> <br /> This bill adds to the above list a private postsecondary institution to which the following applies:<br /> <br /> (1) Has established a partnership with this state pursuant to a memorandum of understanding executed in 2013;<br /> <br /> (2) Is accredited by a regional accrediting association;<br /> <br /> (3) Uses a competency-based model;<br /> <br /> (4) Has established and continuously maintains a physical campus or location of operation within this state;<br /> <br /> (5) Maintains a governing body or advisory board based in Tennessee with oversight of Tennessee operations; and<br /> <br /> (6) Has been chartered in this state as a not-for-profit entity for at least five consecutive years.<br /> <br /> SEMESTER HOUR<br /> <br /> With regard to semester hour requirements pertaining to a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, Tennessee HOPE access grant, Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarship, or Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant, "semester hour" is defined as the credit hour used by a postsecondary institution, if the institution is on a semester system, or its equivalent, if the institution is on a system other than a semester system. Present law provides that the term includes each semester hour attempted, whether remedial or for credit toward a degree but does not include a semester hour attempted before graduating from high school or earning a GED(R) or HiSET(R).<br /> <br /> This bill provides that the term also includes a credit hour used by an eligible postsecondary institution pursuant to the institution's competency-based model.<br /> <br /> RULEMAKING<br /> <br /> This bill requires the Tennessee student assistance corporation to promulgate rules to effectuate this bill.<br />