§ 49-4-931 — HOPE scholarship - Nontraditional students

(a) To be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, a nontraditional student shall: (1) Not be ineligible for the scholarship under § 49-4-904 ; (2) Meet the requirements of § 49-4-905(a) . Section 49-4-905(b) shall not apply to nontraditional students seeking Tennessee HOPE scholarships; (3) Meet the requirements of § 49-4-915(a)(2) ; (4) Not have earned a baccalaureate or advanced degree prior to initially receiving an award under this section; (5) Maintain satisfactory progress in a course of study, in accordance with the standards and practices used for federal Title IV programs at the postsecondary institution attended; (6) Subject to § 49-4-919 , maintain continuous enrollment at the eligible postsecondary institution attended as a nontraditional student; and (7) Apply for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship. (b) A nontraditional student shall be eligible for the award of a Tennessee HOPE scholarship at the end of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of twelve (12) semester hours if the student has a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75. A nontraditional student who does not achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at the end of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of twelve (12) semester hours shall be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship if the student achieves a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at the end of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of twenty-four (24) semester hours. A nontraditional student who does not have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at the end of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of twelve (12) semester hours or twenty-four (24) semester hours shall be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship if the student meets the requirements of § 49-4-911(a)(1) at the end of a subsequent semester at which continuing eligibility for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship is reviewed under § 49-4-911(a)(1) or the requirements of § 49-4-911(a)(2) at the end of any semester after the student has attempted forty-eight (48) or more semester hours. (c) To continue to receive a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, the student shall meet the applicable requirements of § 49-4-911 . (d) A student may receive a Tennessee HOPE scholarship for nontraditional students under this section until the first of the following events: (1) The student has earned an advanced degree; or (2) Five (5) years have passed since the student enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution as a nontraditional student. (e) A nontraditional student shall not be eligible for an ASPIRE award for need under § 49-4-915 or a general assembly merit scholar supplemental award under § 49-4-916 .

Legislative History

Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 368, s 11, eff. 7/1/2023. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 368, s 10, eff. 7/1/2023. Acts 2005, ch. 481, § 26; 2008, ch. 1142, § 12; 2011, ch. 437, § 5; 2017, ch. 448, § 8; 2018, ch. 695, § 5; 2020, ch. 794, §§ 48-50. Amended by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 794, Sec.s 49, eff. 8/1/2020 and s 50 eff. 7/1/2021. Amended by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 794, s 48, eff. 8/1/2020. Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 695, s 5, eff. 8/1/2018. Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 448, s 8, eff. 8/1/2018. Acts 2005, ch. 481, § 26; 2008 , ch. 1142, § 12; 2011 , ch. 437, § 5.