Bill > SB1291

This bill modifies the Tennessee Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen (STRONG) Act by making several key changes to tuition assistance for Tennessee National Guard members. The bill defines new terms like "mandatory fees," "master's degree program fees," and "undergraduate course fees," and updates the financial assistance provisions to cover 100% of in-state tuition and a predetermined amount of course and program fees at public educational institutions. It increases the maximum allowable semester hours from 120 to 130 and removes references to full-time equivalent semesters. The bill also establishes that members will be ineligible for tuition reimbursement if they are suspended from federal tuition assistance due to academic performance, requires members to submit tuition reimbursement applications within 45 days of course completion, and removes a previously existing section of the law. The changes aim to provide more comprehensive and clear tuition support for National Guard members pursuing higher education, with the bill taking effect immediately upon becoming law.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB1291&ga=114