Senate Bill 2051 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 4, to update definitions and eligibility criteria related to financial aid for educational institutions. The bill redefines "educational institution" to include both public and private institutions that meet specific accreditation and operational criteria, as well as clarifying the definition of "full-time student" and "semester hour." It also introduces new conditions for tuition reimbursement eligibility, including maintaining satisfactory academic progress and specific grade point averages for different educational programs.

Additionally, the bill outlines limitations on the number of semester hours eligible for reimbursement for both bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as for vocational or technical programs. It specifies that members must apply for federal tuition assistance and exhaust any available federal benefits before being eligible for state tuition reimbursement. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, ensuring that the changes are implemented in a timely manner.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-4-1003, 49-4-1005