(NASHVILLE) — This week, Republican lawmakers passed legislation sponsored by State Representative Kent Calfee (R-Kingston) and State Representative Ron Travis (R-Dayton) that helps industrious high school students who are also working toward earning their associate degree.
House Bill 980 creates the Tennessee Middle College Scholarship program and expands eligibility for the Tennessee HOPE scholarship to students who earn an associate degree from a state community college. The program uses proceeds from the Tennessee Lottery to help fund the two-year scholarship program for rising high school juniors who are interested in earning their degree from a community college while they also work toward completing high school.
The Tennessee Middle College Scholarship program is open to Tennessee students who are admitted to, and enrolled in, an eligible public two-year community college that partners with a local school district to offer middle college courses beginning in the fall semester of a student’s junior year in high school. Under scholarship guidelines, students must also maintain a cumulative 2.75 Grade Point Average (GPA) during their duel enrollment semesters. An estimated 300 Tennessee high school students could benefit from the new Tennessee Middle College Scholarship program.
“It is my belief that children in our state should have a chance to pursue their educational goals,” said Representative Calfee. “The Middle College Scholarship program enables Tennessee students who might not be able to pursue their degree at a four-year college or university an opportunity to further their education.”
“This program will help students who want to enter the workforce upon graduation from high school to secure better paying jobs,” said Representative Travis. “It also assists those who are interested in earning their bachelor’s degree by alleviating the burden of debt that so many college graduates face.”
The full text of the bill can be accessed by visiting the Tennessee General Assembly website at: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/HB0980.pdf
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