Lottery Scholarship Improvements Move Forward

Award Increases, Preparation and Retention Focus of Committee

Nashville, Tenn. – On Tuesday, the Senate Education Committee approved Senate Bill 611 which will make a number of changes to the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program (TELS).  Sen. Jamie Woodson (R-Knoxville), who serves as chairman of the committee, is sponsoring the legislation.

“Legislative commitment to fiscally responsible policies has provided our legislature with an opportunity to thoughtfully expand our current Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship Program,” said Woodson.

The bill increases the award for a HOPE scholarship at a four-year school to $4000 and a two-year school to $2000.  The Wilder-Naifeh Technical Skills Grant was also increased to $2000.

“Increasing scholarship retention has been identified as a top priority,” continued Woodson.  “The data shows that improved academic preparation is the key to increasing HOPE scholarship retention.”

Along with award increases, rewarding better preparation, and opening access to lottery scholarship dollars to nontraditional students, the bill also awards students who have a 19/19/19 on the ACT (19 Math, 19 English, 19 Composite) and attend state community colleges.

Further, the bill will assist 5000 additional middle and lower income students through increasing the Tennessee Student Assistance Award resources.

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