Leave Of Absence

(1) A student may be granted medical or personal leaves of absence from attendance at an eligible postsecondary institution and receive the Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship upon resumption of the student’s attendance at an eligible postsecondary institution so long as all other applicable eligibility criteria are met. An eligible postsecondary institution may grant leaves of absence only for medical or personal reasons. Allowable medical or personal reasons shall include, but not be limited to, illness of the student, illness or death of an immediate family member, extreme financial hardship of the student or student’s immediate family, or other extraordinary circumstances beyond the student’s control where continued attendance by the student creates a substantial hardship. In the event an institution denies a student’s request for a medical or personal leave of absence, the student may seek relief from the decision in accordance with these rules. (2) A student who receives an approved medical or personal leave of absence may resume receiving the scholarship as described in T.C.A § 49-4-943(d)(2).