House Bill 738 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, to expand eligibility for the Tennessee Promise scholarship program. The bill introduces a new subdivision (C) under Section 49-4-708(b)(3), which includes institutions accredited by the National Accrediting Commission of Career Arts and Sciences (NACCAS) that have their primary campus in Tennessee. Additionally, it modifies existing provisions to incorporate language that recognizes eligible postsecondary institutions as defined in the new subdivision. This includes designating a new subdivision (B) that mandates a curriculum leading to a certificate, diploma, or other credential at these eligible institutions starting from the fall semester of the 2025-2026 academic year.

Furthermore, the bill revises the scholarship eligibility criteria by requiring that the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) first confirm the absence of available enrollment slots at a Tennessee college of applied technology in the student's county for their desired program of study. If slots are available, the student must enroll in a Tennessee college of applied technology to qualify for the scholarship. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to scholarships awarded for the 2025-2026 academic year and beyond.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-4-708(b)(3), 49-4-708, 49-4-708(b)(1), 49-4-708(b)(4), 49-4-708(b)(5), 49-4-708(c)(3), 49-4-708(c)