2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 4 - FINANCIAL AID (§§ 49-4-101 — 49-4-1008) › Part 9 - STATE LOTTERY PROCEEDS (§§ 49-4-901 — 49-4-944) › Section 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
.
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.