House Bill 645, also known as Senate Bill 1387, amends the Tennessee Code Annotated regarding the Senator Ben Atchley Opportunity Grant Act. The bill replaces the existing language in Section 49-4-803 to specify that the state will provide grants to Tennessee resident students enrolled at independent, nonprofit colleges and universities accredited by the College Commission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Additionally, it allows for grants to Tennessee resident students at eligible independent postsecondary institutions and private nonprofit postsecondary institutions, provided they meet certain criteria.

The new criteria for these institutions include having a partnership with the state established through a memorandum of understanding in 2013, being accredited by a regional accrediting association, utilizing a competency-based model of education, maintaining a physical campus in Tennessee, having a governing body or advisory board based in the state, and being chartered as a nonprofit entity for at least five consecutive years. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-4-803