House Bill 704 amends Tennessee Code Annotated to enhance the eligibility criteria for the Wilder-Naifeh technical skills grant and the Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant. A new subdivision is added to define a qualifying private, nonprofit technical school, which must have been domiciled in Tennessee for at least 75 consecutive years, be accredited by the Council on Occupational Education, and offer a baccalaureate degree through an articulation agreement with a regionally accredited institution. Additionally, the bill modifies existing definitions and eligibility requirements for students seeking these grants, ensuring they are admitted to eligible programs and meet specific criteria, including the completion of the FAFSA.

The bill also revises the funding structure for the Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant, specifying that the grant amount for students at Tennessee colleges of applied technology will cover tuition and mandatory fees after accounting for other gift aid. For students at eligible independent postsecondary institutions, the grant will be based on the average cost of tuition and mandatory fees at Tennessee colleges of applied technology. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to students seeking financial aid for the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-4-902(11), 49-4-902, 49-4-902(46), 49-4-921, 49-4-923