Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4.

Present law provides that, in order to be eligible for a Tennessee reconnect grant, a student must meet the following criteria:<br /> <br /> (1) Not have previously earned an associate or baccalaureate degree;<br /> <br /> (2) Not be ineligible for the grant based on not being a Tennessee citizen; not complying with United States selective service system requirements, if applicable; being in default on a federal Title IV or Tennessee educational loan; owing a refund on a federal Title IV or Tennessee student financial aid program; not being in compliance with federal drug-free rules and laws for receiving financial assistance; or being incarcerated;<br /> <br /> (3) Have been a resident of this state;<br /> <br /> (4) Complete the FAFSA for each academic year in which the grant is received in accordance with the schedule determined by TSAC;<br /> <br /> (5) Be at least 23 by January 1 of the academic year in which the student enrolls in courses leading to completion of an eligible program of study, or be an independent student as determined by the FAFSA;<br /> <br /> (6) Be admitted to an eligible postsecondary institution and enrolled in courses leading to completion of an eligible program of study; and<br /> <br /> (7) Participate in a college success program through the Tennessee reconnect community initiative as created by the Tennessee higher education commission.<br /> <br /> This bill revises (5) above, such that the student must either meet the criteria in that provision or, instead, meet the following criteria to satisfy (5):<br /> <br /> (1) During the 2019-2020 or 2020-2021 school year, have graduated from an eligible high school; completed high school as a Tennessee home school student; obtained a GED or HiSET diploma as long as the student obtained it prior to the student reaching 19; or graduated from an out-of-state secondary school operated by the government of the United States, accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association for the state in which the school is located, or accredited by an accrediting association recognized by the foreign nation in which the school is located; and <br /> <br /> (2) Be at least 21 by January 1 of the academic year in which the student enrolls in courses leading to completion of an eligible program of study.<br /> <br /> This alternative is repealed on January 1, 2027.<br />