Bill > SB0802

This bill establishes the Promising Futures Early Learning Scholarship Program, designed to provide financial support for young children to attend high-quality early learning programs. Starting July 1, 2025, the Tennessee lottery will transfer excess net proceeds to a dedicated fund, from which scholarships will be distributed. To be eligible, children must be between 6 weeks and kindergarten age, come from households with income at or below 150% of the state median income, and have parents who are either employed full-time or enrolled in a postsecondary education program. In the first year, up to 5,000 scholarships of up to $4,500 each will be available, with priority given to returning scholarship recipients and then determined by lottery if demand exceeds funding. The Department of Education will create an online portal for applications, establish criteria for high-quality early learning programs based on teacher-child interactions and classroom quality, and directly pay scholarship funds to the selected educational programs. The department will also track program outcomes and submit annual reports to legislative committees, with administrative expenses limited to 10% of the fund's balance. Importantly, these scholarships are not considered income and are intended to supplement, not replace, existing state funding for early childhood education.

Education

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0802&ga=114