Amends TCA Title 49.

This bill enacts the "Tennessee Special Educator Scholarship Act," which provides for the awarding of scholarships to certain educational assistants of special education teachers at Tennessee public schools, to be credited toward tuition and fees each semester at certain postsecondary institutions.<br /> <br /> In order to be eligible for the scholarship, this bill requires the individual to meet the following criteria:<br /> <br /> (1) Be a resident of this state in accordance with rules and policies established by the board of regents or university board, as applicable;<br /> <br /> (2) Not be in default on a federal or Tennessee educational loan;<br /> <br /> (3) Not owe a refund on a federal or Tennessee student financial aid program;<br /> <br /> (4) Not be incarcerated;<br /> <br /> (5) Have not yet attained a bachelor's degree from a postsecondary institution;<br /> <br /> (6) Work as an educational assistant to a special education teacher at a Tennessee public school for a minimum of 20 hours per week, while enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution;<br /> <br /> (7) Enroll in an eligible program of study at an eligible postsecondary institution for a minimum of six credit hours per semester and have attained junior or senior status; and<br /> <br /> (8) Agree to work full time as a special education teacher in a Tennessee public school for at least three consecutive years immediately following the individual's graduation.<br /> <br /> This bill authorizes an individual who receives a scholarship to continue to receive the scholarship up to $750 per semester for a maximum of eight semesters, or until the individual obtains the individual's first bachelor's degree, whichever occurs first as long as the individual meets the following criteria:<br /> <br /> (1) The individual continues to meet all applicable nonacademic requirements for the scholarship;<br /> <br /> (2) The individual maintains satisfactory academic progress; and<br /> <br /> (3) If terminated from the individual's employment as a special education assistant at a Tennessee public school, the individual accepts another position as a special education assistant at a Tennessee public school within 30 calendar days from the date of the termination.<br /> <br /> This bill authorizes the Tennessee student assistance corporation to promulgate rules to effectuate this bill.<br />