Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 13.

Present law authorizes the Tennessee higher education commission ("THEC") to designate public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education as a campus of a public or private nonprofit institution of higher education that has demonstrated educational support for veterans and has been designated by THEC under the present law as a campus supportive of veterans ("veterans education transition support campuses" or "VETS campuses"). This bill adds that THEC may also designate VETS campuses that strive to increase enrollment, continuation, and graduation rates of veterans, while also meeting the advanced qualification criteria established by THEC, as "VETS Bravo campuses".<br /> <br /> VETS BRAVO CAMPUSES CRITERIA<br /> <br /> This bill adds that to become and continue to be a VETS Bravo campus, a campus of a public or private nonprofit institution of higher education must meet the following criteria:<br /> <br /> (1) Have been designated a VETS campus for no less than the three-consecutive-year period immediately preceding the date on which the institution submits a request for certification as a VETS Bravo campus;<br /> <br /> (2) Submit a request for certification as a VETS Bravo campus to the executive director of THEC;<br /> <br /> (3) Develop a peer mentoring or other similar support program dedicated specifically for veterans and military-affiliated students;<br /> <br /> (4) Designate a VETS Bravo campus liaison who participates in no less than two professional development activities per year related to veterans; and<br /> <br /> (5) Provide career placement services specifically for veterans.<br /> <br /> DATA PROVIDED TO THEC<br /> <br /> Present law provides that on or before July 31, 2017, and on or before July 31 of each subsequent year, any campus meeting the qualification criteria and attaining the VETS campus designation must provide data pertaining to (i) the number of veterans enrolled at its campus; (ii) the programs of study in which veterans are enrolled; (iii) the completion of degrees or other credentials by veterans; and (iv) a current list of course equivalencies for military education, training, and experience to THEC.<br /> <br /> This bill requires the same information above for VETS campuses to be submitted to THEC by July 31 of each year, but adds, that by July 31, 2025, and by each July 31 thereafter, a VETS campus designated as a VETS Bravo campus must provide the following data to THEC:<br /> <br /> (1) Aggregated annual survey results;<br /> <br /> (2) The number of students participating in support programs dedicated specifically for veteran and military-affiliated students along with academic progress statistics;<br /> <br /> (3) Documentation evidencing the VETS Bravo campus liaison's participation in at least two professional development activities related to veterans; and<br /> <br /> (4) The number of veteran students who received career services and the job placement rate for all veteran students in the previous academic year.<br />