Bill > SB2141

This bill makes several changes to Tennessee's higher education laws, primarily focusing on financial aid and transfer pathways. It removes specific deadlines for various reports, streamlines the rules for the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) in administering financial aid programs, and clarifies eligibility criteria for the Tennessee Student Assistance Award based on financial need, as determined by the Student Aid Index (SAI) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The bill also modifies rules regarding the renewal and revocation of these awards, and updates provisions related to the Tennessee HOPE scholarship, including continuous enrollment requirements and the duration of eligibility. Additionally, it mandates that new and existing transfer pathways, which are structured sets of courses designed to facilitate a smooth transition from community colleges to four-year universities, be reviewed every five years, and allows the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) to conduct private meetings for specific administrative matters like personnel and contracts, though no official actions can be taken in these private sessions. Finally, it introduces a "transfer designation institution" status for public and private non-profit colleges that prioritize students with transfer credits and clarifies that education provided through registered apprenticeship programs is exempt from certain regulations.

Education

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB2141&ga=114