Non-Traditional Students (effective July 1, 2008 for the 2008-2009 academic year)

·         Age 25 as an entering freshman or not enrolled for at least two

(2) years after last attending any postsecondary institution

·         Attempt 12 semester hours at an eligible postsecondary institution with at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA

Ø  If student does not have at least a cumulative 2.75 GPA at 12 semester hours, the student may be eligible for HOPE at 24 semester hours with at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA

Ø  If student does not have at least a cumulative 2.75 at 12, 24, or 48 semester hours, the student may be eligible for HOPE if the student meets the minimum requirements at 72 semester hours and those at subsequent semesters thereafter (see “HOPE Lottery Scholarship Continuation Requirements” below)

Ø  Once a recipient of the HOPE, the non-traditional student shall maintain the minimum continuation requirements for HOPE as all other HOPE recipients

Ø  Terminating events for non-traditional students

o    Student earns a baccalaureate degree; or

o    As a previous HOPE recipient, the sum of the number of years during that time and current award as a non-traditional student equals five years; or

o    Five years have passed since the student enrolled in an eligible institution as a non-traditional student.

Ø  Non-traditional students shall not be eligible for Aspire or GAMS

HOPE Lottery Scholarship Continuation Requirements (effective July 1, 2008 and applies to students seeking to continue or regain eligibility for 2008-2009 academic year)

·         Benchmarks Hours – 24, 48, 72, 96, or any subsequent multiples of 24 semester hours thereafter

·         2.75 cumulative GPA at the end of 24 & 48

·         3.0 cumulative GPA at the end of any subsequent benchmark semester thereafter in which continuation is reviewed

·         If student fails to achieve a 3.0 cumulative GPA at the 72 hour benchmark or thereafter, but has at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA “and” a semester GPA of at least 3.0, the student shall continue receiving the HOPE Lottery Scholarship

Ø  The student is eligible on a semester-by-semester basis so long as the student maintains full-time enrollment

Ø  If student achieves a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 at any time when continuation is reviewed, then the student shall be reviewed at the next benchmark

·         If student fails to achieve a 2.75 cumulative GPA at the 72 hour benchmark or thereafter and does not have a semester GPA of at least 3.0, the student will lose the award but may regain the HOPE, one-time only, under the new regulations mentioned above at any succeeding benchmark in which continuation is measured

Ø  Student may repeat one course one time as described under existing statute

Continuation Requirements for HOPE Access Grant and Transfer Students (effective July 1, 2008 and applies to students seeking to continue or regain eligibility for 2008-2009 academic year)

·         Students defined in this category are affected by the HOPE Lottery Scholarship Continuation Requirements mentioned above

·         If a student fails to achieve at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, but maintains continuous enrollment without the award, he may regain the award (one-time only) at any of the subsequent benchmark by meeting the minimum requirements as mentioned above

Transfer Students (effective July 1, 2008 for 2008-2009 academic year)

·         If a student transfers to an eligible postsecondary institution, then the student may be academically eligible, if the student meets the continuation requirements mentioned above

·         Transfer students returning to the state of TN shall follow the same academic continuation requirements

HOPE Lottery Scholarship Terminating Events (effective July 1, 2008 for

2008-2009 academic year)

·         Student may continue receiving the HOPE Lottery Scholarship until the first of the following events

Ø  Student has “earned” a baccalaureate degree; or

Ø  Five years have passed from the date of initial enrollment at any postsecondary institution

·         The HOPE Lottery Scholarship can be “reinstated” if the student who has not received the baccalaureate degree lost the award solely because the student attempted the maximum number of hours permitted as it existed prior to July 1, 2008, if the student

Ø  Has been continuously enrolled – except those on approved leave of absence from the school

Ø  Five years have not passed since the student’s initial enrollment and the date of application

Ø  Meets the continuation requirements mentioned above for the 2008-2009 academic year

Foster Child Tuition Grant (effective July 1, 2008 for 2008-2009 academic year)

·         Gift aid is that which does not require repayment and serves to exclude student loans and work-study awards

·         The grant, less any gift aid, shall be applied towards the student’s cost of tuition and mandatory fees not to exceed the related cost at the eligible postsecondary institution

Ø  For students enrolled at an eligible independent postsecondary institution, the amount of the grant shall not exceed the average cost of tuition and mandatory fees for the type of eligible public postsecondary institution (two-year or four-year)

·         Changes to this grant shall apply to eligible students dating back to fall 2006 and thereafter

On-Campus Housing for Two-Year Eligible Postsecondary Institutions (effective July 1, 2008 for 2008-2009 academic year)

·         The annual amount of the HOPE Lottery Scholarship awarded to a student at a 4-year eligible postsecondary institution shall be the same amount as the HOPE Lottery Scholarship awarded to a student at a 2-year eligible postsecondary institution which provides on-campus housing

Ø  John A. Gupton College

Ø  Hiwassee College (no longer an eligible institution)

Eligible Independent Postsecondary Institution (effective July 1, 2008 for 2008-2009 academic year)

·         49-4-902 (10)(c) – Change by adding “two-year” along with four-year institutions

·         49-4-902 (10)(b) – A private postsecondary institution accredited regionally that has its primary campus domiciled in TN

Helping Heroes Grant (effective July 1, 2008 for 2008-2009 academic year)

·         Must be a veteran who was called to active military service by the US

Ø  Former members of the US armed forces, reserves, or TN National Guard

·         Honorably discharged

·         TN resident for one-year preceding the date of application for this grant

·         Awarded the following:

Ø  Iraq Campaign Medal;

Ø  Afghanistan Campaign Medal; or

Ø  Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, on or after Sept 11, 2001

·         Enrolled at an eligible 2-year or 4-year eligible institution

·         Has not earned a baccalaureate degree

·         Not required to meet any academic standard at the time of enrollment to be eligible

·         $2,000 annual award ($1,000 per semester)

·         Helping Heroes Grant shall be awarded after completing one (1) semester (discussion needed)

Ø  Full semester amount if 12 or more hours are completed

Ø  ½ semester amount if 6-11 hours are completed

Ø  No award amount if fewer than 6 semester hours, but remains eligible for award at such time the student completes a term with at least 6 semester hours along with meeting other eligibility requirements

·         Continuation:  Grant may be awarded for a maximum of 8 “full” semesters

Ø  6-11 semester hours completed constitutes ½ semester; or

·         Eligibility terminates after the eighth anniversary of the veteran’s honorable discharge from military service

·         Grant awarded on a first-come, first-served basis

Ø  Award limit per semester is 375 students to not exceed $750,000 per year

Tennessee Rural Heath Loan Forgiveness Program (effective July 1, 2008 for 2008-2009 academic year)

·         Five-year pilot program

Ø  No student shall be awarded if the program of study cannot be completed by the end of the fifth year of the pilot program

·         Not be ineligible under 49-4-904

·         Classified as a TN resident as defined by UT and TBR on date of application/reapplication

·         Enrolled at an eligible postsecondary institution that has or offers:

Ø  School of Medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, or its successor;

o    Full-time student seeking the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree

Ø  School of Medicine accredited by the Bureau of Professional Education of the American Osteopathy Association, or its successor;

o    Full-time student seeking the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree

Ø  School of Dentistry accredited by the Commission on Dental Association, or its successor;

o    Full-time student seeking the Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree

o    Full-time student seeking the Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D) degree

Ø  Physicians assistant program accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, or its successor

o    Full-time student seeking to become a physician assistant

Ø  Nurse practitioner program accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc., or its successor, or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, or its successor; or

o    Full-time student seeking to become a nurse practitioner

·         Continuation requirements:

Ø  Maintain satisfactory progress

·         Loan Forgiveness Requirements:

Ø  After becoming a TN licensed physician, TN licensed dentist, osteopathic physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner with a TN certification of fitness

o    Agree to practice medicine or dentistry in a health resource shortage area one year for each year of funding in this program

Ø  Not accept other financial aid that carries a service obligation after graduation and receipt of applicable license, except for service obligation to the US armed forces, reserve, or national guard

Ø  Sign a promissory note each year the scholarship is awarded stipulating the repayment obligation if service requirement is not met.

o    Except for documented death or permanent disability making it impossible for the student to repay, all funds obtained from this program shall be repaid with interest (9% annum)

·         $12,000 per year or cost of tuition, mandatory fees, books and equipment; whichever is less

·         For 2008-2009 – no more than 25 students (first come, first served)

·         For 2009-2010 – no more than 50 students (first come, first served)

·         $300,000 total expended dollars:

Ø  First year of the pilot program

Ø  Fifth year of the pilot program

·         $600,000 total expended dollars:

Ø  Second year of the pilot program

Ø  Third year of the pilot program

Ø  Fourth year of the pilot program

Dual Enrollment Grant (effective July 1, 2008 for 2008-2009 academic year)

·         Pilot project lasting 12 months and administered by THEC in consultation with TDOE for the 2008-2009 school year

·         Provide laptops ($500 each) to 100 eligible juniors and seniors in high school in each grand division for classes requiring a computer for such course

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