Definitions

(1) Academic Term: A semester, trimester, quarter, or 300 clock hours of training. (2) Academic Year: A period of time, typically eight or nine months, in which a full-time student is expected to complete the equivalent of two semesters, two trimesters, or three quarters at an eligible postsecondary institution using credit hours, or at least 900 clock hours of training for a program using clock hours. A clock hour is a 50 to 60 minute class, lecture, recitation, or a faculty supervised laboratory, shop training, or internship. (3) Application: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). (4) Eligible Postsecondary Institution: Those institutions which are entitled to enroll student assistance award recipients as provided in T.C.A. § 49-4-301. (5) Expected Family Contribution (EFC): A measure of parental and/or student ability to contribute toward payment of educational expenses as determined by the FAFSA. (6) Incarcerated: Currently confined to a local, state, or federal correctional institution, which would include work release or educational release facilities. (7) Institution of Higher Education: A postsecondary educational institution in Tennessee which: (a) Is a public university, community college, or Tennessee college of applied technology; a private business, trade, or technical school; or a nonprofit institution of higher education as defined in these rules; (b) Admits as regular students only persons who have a high school diploma, the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, or are beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in Tennessee and who have the ability to benefit from the training offered; (c) Is legally authorized to provide an educational program beyond secondary education in Tennessee; (d) Provides an educational program for which it awards an associate or baccalaureate degree, or provides at least a two-year program which is acceptable for full credit toward a baccalaureate degree, or provides at least a one-year training program which leads to a certificate or degree and prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation; and (e) Is accredited by: TENNESSEE STUDENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM CHAPTER 1640-01-01 1. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; or 2. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, the Council on Occupational Education, or the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology; and is authorized to operate by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission pursuant to the Postsecondary Education Authorization Act of 1974; or 3. A regional accrediting agency if the institution is a private, nonprofit institution providing exclusively competency-based education through predominantly on- line degree programs. (8) Nonprofit Institution of Higher Education: An institution of higher education owned and operated by one or more nonprofit corporations or associations whose net earnings do not benefit, and cannot lawfully benefit any private shareholder or entity. (9) Pell Grant Program: The program of federal student assistance authorized by Part A, Title IV, Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. (10) TSAA: Tennessee Student Assistance Award. (11) TSAC: Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. (12) Undergraduate student: Those persons enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution as defined in T.C.A. § 49-4-301 and who have not received a baccalaureate degree.