49-4-931 - HOPE scholarship Nontraditional students. - Tennessee Statutes

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)  Attend an eligible postsecondary institution and attempt at least twelve (12) semester hours;

     (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 a baccalaureate degree;

     (2)  If the student previously received a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, the sum of the number of years during which the nontraditional student has received a Tennessee HOPE scholarship for nontraditional students and a Tennessee HOPE scholarship equals five (5) years; or

     (3)  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.

(f)  No retroactive award of a Tennessee HOPE scholarship shall be made under this section.

[Acts 2005, ch. 481, § 26; 2008, ch. 1142, § 12.]