Tennessee Senate Bill SB2670

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to the Tennessee HOPE scholarship.

Impact

By facilitating continued financial aid for students returning to education for advanced degrees, SB2670 could significantly impact the higher education landscape in Tennessee. It encourages the pursuit of graduate education by removing potential barriers related to funding. The act aims to ensure that capable students who have completed their undergraduate degrees within a specified timeframe are not penalized financially when they choose to further their studies, thus fostering a more educated workforce in the state.

Summary

Senate Bill 2670 aims to amend the Tennessee HOPE scholarship provisions, specifically relating to eligibility for nontraditional students pursuing advanced degrees. The bill allows students who earned their first baccalaureate degree between July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023, in less than five years from initial enrollment, the opportunity to continue receiving the HOPE scholarship while they pursue advanced degrees. This amendment to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49 seeks to support students who have completed their undergraduate studies swiftly and wish to advance their education further.

Contention

While the bill has been recommended for passage by the Senate Education Committee, discussions may arise about the implications of widening eligibility criteria for state-funded scholarships. Concerns could revolve around the sustainability of funding and whether it might incentivize longer durations in education for some students, potentially leading to increased overall costs. However, proponents argue that enhancing educational access and supporting advanced degree endeavors will ultimately benefit the state economically and socially.