Cessation Of Eligibility For Strong Act Tuition Reimbursement

(1) Eligibility of members to seek tuition reimbursement through this program extends to each eligible member for the full semester-hour limit of each type of program (certificate or diploma, bachelor’s, and master’s), meaning members may utilize the STRONG Act for multiple degrees and certificates upon demonstration of continued eligibility, subject to availability of funding and Department guidelines. (2) Eligibility for STRONG Act tuition reimbursement will permanently cease as to the individual program for which the member is seeking reimbursement upon the advent of any of the following conditions: (a) For members seeking reimbursement for studies toward a first bachelor’s degree: 1. The service member has attempted one hundred twenty (120) credit semester hours, inclusive of any postsecondary credit hours earned prior to receipt of STRONG Act tuition reimbursement; or 2. The service member has completed eight (8) full-time semesters, as defined in T.C.A. § 49-4-1003(b), or the equivalent of a semester if the educational institution is on a system other than a semester system, as defined in T.C.A. § 49-4-1003(c); or 3. The service member has earned a first bachelor's degree. (b) Notwithstanding subparagraph (a), for members seeking reimbursement for studies toward a first master’s degree: 1. The service member has attempted forty (40) semester hours, inclusive of any post-baccalaureate semester hours earned prior to receipt of STRONG Act tuition reimbursement; or 2. The service member has earned a first master’s degree. RULES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE “TENNESSEE SUPPORT, CHAPTER 0930-02-01 TRAINING AND RENEWING OPPORTUNITY FOR NATIONAL GUARDSMAN (STRONG) ACT OF 2017” (c) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (a) and (b), for members seeking reimbursement for studies toward a certificate or diploma from a vocational or technical program, 1. The member has attempted twenty-four (24) semester hours, or the equivalent, toward a certificate or diploma from a vocational or technical program, inclusive of any semester hours earned in that same vocational or technical program prior to receipt of STRONG Act tuition reimbursement. 2. It is not required that tuition reimbursement under this part apply toward a member’s first certificate from a vocational or technical program. (d) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (a) and (b), a member who is enrolled in an officer- producing program at an educational institution is exempt from the semester and semester-hour limits for tuition reimbursement under this part for up to thirty (30) additional semester hours for the limited purpose of allowing the member to complete the courses required to accept a commission upon graduation with the member's first bachelor's or master's degree. (e) Eligibility will cease when a service member is not in good standing as defined in this Rule. (f) Eligibility will cease when a service member is not currently active as defined in this Rule. (g) All service members applying for tuition reimbursement through this Program are subject to the statutory limitations and conditions as provided in T.C.A. § 49-4-1005. Should a service member fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress and a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average for undergraduate programs, or a 3.0 grade point average for master’s programs, or for vocational or technical programs, a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average, or academic good standing, as determined by the institution, if grade point averages are not utilized by the institution, he or she will become ineligible for tuition reimbursement. However, the service member may regain eligibility for tuition reimbursement at the end of any subsequent semester in which satisfactory academic progress and the required grade point average are established and the service member is deemed to meet all other requirements for STRONG Act reimbursement as determined by the Board.