Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends Tennessee state scholarship policy to require a greater number of credits, among other changes.

Highlights:

• Requires students to complete at least 30 credit hours within a 3 consecutive semester period, beginning with the student’s semester of enrollment, in order to continue to receive a Tennessee Promise or Tennessee HOPE scholarship (Secs. 5 & 14).

• Defines “completed” as credit hours awarded by an institution after completing a course and receiving a grade, or awarded through early post-secondary opportunities (Secs. 3 & 10).

• Defines “three-consecutive-semester period” as 3 semesters in a 12 month period beginning with the semester of initial enrollment, excluding semesters in which a student qualifies for an approved leave of absence (Sec. 10).

• Reduces the maximum award amount of a Tennessee Promise or Tennessee HOPE scholarship for students who have not completed the required 30 credit hours to $250 per semester for the first 2 semesters of the next 3 consecutive semester period (Secs. 5 & 14).

• Requires students to maintain continuous enrollment for fall and spring semesters in order to be eligible for a Tennessee Promise scholarship (Sec. 6).

• Authorizes students to receive a scholarship for a summer semester if enrolled at least part-time (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that students with documented learning disabilities or whose academic program requires fewer than 12 credit hours per semester are exempt from the 30 hour requirement (Sec. 8).

• Defines a Tennessee Promise scholarship at a 2 year institution as the cost of tuition and mandatory fees minus all other gift aid (Sec. 4).

• Defines a Tennessee Promise scholarship at a 4 year institution as the average cost of tuition and mandatory fees minus all other gift aid (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text