Tennessee House Bill HB0704

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25
• Refer: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 4, relative to financial aid.

Impact

The impact of HB0704 is significant in shaping the landscape of technical education funding in Tennessee. It formalizes requirements that ensure students at established institutions have access to enhanced financial aid opportunities, particularly in programs that are vital for workforce development. The amendment seeks to foster a stronger engineering workforce by facilitating better access to education through financial incentives tailored for adult learners and independent students under the FAFSA guidelines.

Summary

House Bill 0704 aims to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically focusing on financial aid provisions associated with technical education. The bill introduces new criteria for eligibility for the Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant and the Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant. Notably, it stipulates that for a private, nonprofit technical school to qualify for these grants, it must have been domiciled in Tennessee for at least 75 consecutive years and must provide specific educational programs, including bachelor’s degrees through partnerships with accredited institutions.

Contention

One of the potential points of contention regarding the bill could arise from debates over the criteria set for institutions to be eligible for state financial aid. Critics may argue that the 75-year domicile requirement creates barriers for newer institutions or those that seek to innovate by providing relevant training and education. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding the scope of funding provided and its alignment with the actual cost of tuition and fees at these institutions, which could be variable and impact diverse student populations differently.