KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP/WMOT) — Some students may lose their lottery scholarships just as they enter their final semester, thanks to a bill passed by the Tennessee legislature two years ago.
A 2011 statute limits HOPE Scholarship funding to the minimum hours required for a degree program.
According to The Knoxville News Sentinel, nearly 3,000 students are expected to run out of scholarship funding over the next two years, before the end of their fourth year in school.
State Senator Doug Overby says he tried to sound the alarm when the legislation was proposed. He was especially concerned about students who take extra classes toward a double major.
“I warned my colleagues about this 120 hour cap, that it had the real potential to adversely affect highly motivated students who want to maximize their college experience. I also warned that it would adversely impact folks who could not afford to go to summer school.”
Overbey says he intends to introduce a bill this legislative session that would ensure scholarship funding continues for a full eight semesters.