Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4.

Present law requires the Tennessee student assistance corporation ("TSAC") to administer the Tennessee Promise scholarship program for residents of this state seeking an associate's degree, certificate, or diploma from an eligible postsecondary institution under certain terms and conditions, one of which is to be eligible for the scholarship a student must be admitted to, and enrolled full-time in, an eligible postsecondary program in the fall term following:<br /> <br /> (i) Graduation from an eligible high school;<br /> <br /> (ii) Completion of high school as a Tennessee home school student;<br /> <br /> (iii) Obtaining a high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education; provided, that the student obtains the high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education prior to the student reaching 19; or<br /> <br /> (iv) Graduation from an out-of-state secondary school operated by the U.S. government, 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. However, this provision applies only to certain dependent children of military parents.<br /> <br /> For scholarships awarded on or after July 1, 2024, this bill changes the time by which such students must be admitted to, and enrolled full-time in, an eligible postsecondary program from in the fall term following the events described in (i)-(iv) above to no later than the fall term immediately following the events described in (i)-(iv) above.<br /> <br /> Under present law, another condition required for scholarship eligibility is that, notwithstanding the provisions above, a student is eligible for a scholarship if the student graduates early from an eligible high school, completes high school at an eligible home school early, or obtains a high school equivalency credential approved by the state board of education before the spring semester immediately preceding the student's initial fall enrollment, and the student is admitted to, and enrolled full-time in, an eligible postsecondary program. This bill deletes this condition.<br />