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Student Scholarships, Grants, Loans & Financial Aid Programs at Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology : 3.04.01.01

Policy/Guideline Area

Student Policies

Applicable Divisions

TCATs

Purpose

This policy covers the establishment of and participation in student scholarship and financial aid programs by Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology.

Policy/Guideline

  1. Federal, State and Private Financial Aid, Loan, and Scholarship Programs
    1.  All schools are hereby authorized to participate in any private, federal, or state programs providing financial aid, loans, scholarships, grants, and other forms of educational assistance to students. Schools must meet the eligibility requirements for participation and comply with all federal and state laws and regulations related to said programs.
    2. In participating in educational assistance programs, schools shall comply with all laws, including anti-discrimination laws. Schools may participate in any educational assistance program provided by the federal government or the State of Tennessee.
  2. Schools Scholarships and Grant Programs
    1. General Parameters
      1. State appropriations shall be expended or applied only to Access and Diversity grants.
      2. Each school is authorized to employ students under local work programs.
      3. Schools may award scholarships and grants, in any of the programs listed below in Section II. C., to students who are full-time, part-time, out-of-state, or Tennessee residents.
      4. The maximum amount of an individual academic scholarship or grant awarded for any one term shall be the amount of the maintenance fees for the term plus an allowance for books and supplies. The maximum books and supplies allowance shall be commensurate with the book and supply allowance component of the standard student budget compiled by the school’s financial aid office. The maximum amount that may be awarded to any individual during a single fiscal year shall not exceed the total amount of combined fees and book allowances defined herein. For the purpose of this policy, maintenance fees shall be defined as all mandatory fees payable by a student for continued enrollment at the school. The maximum amount awarded to a part-time student shall be prorated based on the number of hours for which the student is enrolled. Refunds shall be handled in accordance with TBR refund policy outlined in TBR Guideline TCAT-080. The provisions of this section do not apply to privately funded scholarships or grants.
      5. Each school shall establish specific criteria and guidelines for administration of the scholarships and grant programs listed below in Section IIC. Such criteria must meet the minimum limitations set forth in this policy. The written procedures implementing this policy and all requirements for eligibility, maintenance, and renewal shall be approved by the Chancellor prior to implementation and shall be published in the school’s student handbook.
    2. Funding Sources for Scholarships and Grant Programs
      1. Academic Scholarships and School Grants may be funded by a maximum of 10% of the maintenance fees received by the school in any one year. An exception to this limitation may be made upon approval by the Chancellor and subsequent approval of the budget by TBR.
      2. Access and Diversity Grants shall be funded by state funds and may be supplemented by other campus revenue sources.
    3.  C. Scholarships and Grant Programs
      1. Academic Scholarships
        1. Academic scholarship awards shall be limited to students who graduated from high school with a minimum high school average of B or the equivalent. Awards to HSE students shall be based upon evidence of comparable scholastic ability. Schools may make exception to the requirements of this paragraph when admitting students who have not attended high school for at least two years.
        2. Awards of academic scholarships shall be made on a school term basis and may be continuous for the length of the training program, provided the student maintains a minimum B grade average and minimum school attendance requirements.
      2. School Grants
        1. School grants may be provided for meeting affirmative and minority recruitment goals.
        2. School grants may be provided for assisting handicapped, physically disadvantaged, and economically disadvantaged students.

Sources

Authority

T.C.A. § 49-8-203

History

Approved December 11, 1992 Tennessee Board of Regents' Meeting; Revised: TBR Meeting, September 30, 2005. Revised Jan. 1, 2014 per Tennessee Alternative Diploma Act to reflect change from General Educational Development (GED) Certificate to Tennessee High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma; revised September 7, 2023 (ministerial changes).