News & Press: Policy Update

TICUA Policy Update – Action Taken on THEC/TSAC Bill

Friday, February 23, 2024

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February 23, 2024

TICUA 68th Annual Meeting

TICUA held its 68th Annual Meeting of the membership this week. Nearly 100 participants met to receive legal and policy updates as well as hear from legislative and administrative leadership. Senate and House Education Chairs, Sen. Jon Lundberg and Rep. Mark White briefed the crowd on higher education issues moving through the legislature. Newly appointed Dr. Steven Gentile, Executive Director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission met to discuss his vision for Tennessee higher education and desire to work closely with TICUA in the future.

House Speaker Cameron Sexton informed the attendees that State revenues are tightening, therefore, it is unlikely that additional budget requests will be considered. TICUA shared with the Speaker the importance of the proposed improvement to the Tennessee Student Assistance Award for low-income families in the state. He discouraged any hope for an increase this year but agreed to consider it in the future.

Finance and Administration Commissioner Jim Bryson praised the group in their handling of the higher education security grants. He indicated that the private colleges responded quickly and thoroughly to the grant program. He indicated that there is a desire for additional funding but that it is unlikely to materialize this year due to stagnant revenues. Bryson also informed the crowd that the process for applying for the mental health scholarship funds is about to launch. TICUA contacted the nonprofit groups administrating the scholarships and was told that they hope to launch the application process to campuses in early March.

During the meeting, Sen. Ed Jackson and Rep. William Slater were honored with TICUA’s top legislative leadership awards. They both have demonstrated a commitment to independent higher education in Tennessee and served as sponsors of legislation drafted by TICUA this past session. The measure successfully passed both chambers due to the work of the bills’ sponsors.

The Annual Meeting ended with a legislative reception and networking dinner. Next year, the 69th TICUA Annual Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, February 25-26, 2025.

Action Taken on THEC/TSAC Bill

HB2676/SB2713, abolishes the governing board of directors for the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) and designates the corporation as a division of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). Currently, TSAC and THEC have separate Boards governing the two separate corporations even though the Executive Director of THEC oversees both. TICUA’s president has secured a voting position on the TSAC Board by statute. If the bill passes as drafted, TICUA will no longer have a place at the table. The bulk of the bill seeks to redefine the role of THEC among public colleges and universities and reconstitute the nominees to the Commission.

The House Education Administration Committee moved the bill, as amended, to House Government Operations. The House amendment allows for public governing boards to self-determine their tuition rates, thus removing the authority from THEC.

The Senate Education Committee, however, placed the bill on their final calendar which means it will not be considered until right before the Committee closes sometime in late March or early April. This will allow the Senate to amend their version of the legislation once negotiations have been settled.

Early Promise Bill Moves Out

HB1803/SB2061, changes the start time for students to enroll in the Tennessee Promise Scholarship program from the following fall after high school graduation or its equivalent, to no later than the fall following semester. Essentially, this allows students to receive Tennessee Promise funds immediately following graduation. Some students complete high school early, and this allows them to take advantage of the program upon graduation rather than waiting until the next fall.

The House passed the bill in the full chamber on February 12th and the Senate has now moved the bill to the Calendar Committee to be scheduled for the Senate Chamber. The measure is expected to pass without difficulty.

Bill Makes Permanent the Tennessee Promise Completion Grants

HB2184/SB1783, as introduced, reallocates 5 percent of the privilege tax collected from licensees that offer sports wagering to be placed in a new Tennessee Promise completion grant special account. The funds are designated to assist the Higher Education Commission in awarding completion grants to certain Tennessee Promise scholarship students.This measure will make the Tennessee Promise Completion Grant pilot project permanent. The bill is slated to be considered next week by the House Higher Education Subcommittee and the Senate Education Committee.