Method Of Selection

(1) Each year that funds are available, preliminary ratings of applications will be made by the TSAC staff based upon criteria and rankings established by the Selection Committee, composed of representatives of the State Board of Education, the TDOE, THEC, a member of the Tennessee Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (TASFAA) from a postsecondary institution, and the Executive Director of TSAC or his or her designee. The Selection Committee will then review the top rated candidates to determine the final selections. (2) The following priority groups have been established for this program: (a) First priority shall be given to eligible renewal applicants who have maintained a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, or higher if required by the teacher education program at the student’s institution of higher education. (b) Second priority shall be given to eligible non-teachers holding a bachelor’s degree or higher who pledge to become teachers and who have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale for the highest degree attained, or a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for graduate level studies, provided they have completed at least twelve (12) semester hours or the equivalent at the graduate level. A higher GPA may be required if mandated by the teacher education program at the student’s institution of higher education. (c) Third priority shall be given to eligible college juniors and seniors who possess a college cumulative GPA of at least 2.75, or higher if required by the teacher education program at the student’s institution of higher education. (3) Until all qualified applicants from the higher priority group(s) who have submitted their applications by the deadline have been offered the award, no applicants from a lower group may be considered for selection.