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Committee advances bill to broaden Step Up scholarship eligibility for students with intellectual disabilities
Summary
House Bill 789 would remove a 16‑month enrollment restriction from the Step Up scholarship so some students with intellectual disabilities can access higher education later; the subcommittee moved the bill to the lottery calendar without objection.
On March 12 the Higher Education Subcommittee voted without objection to place House Bill 789 on the lottery calendar for later consideration, advancing a measure to make the Step Up scholarship more accessible to students with intellectual disabilities.
Sponsor Chairman Vital described the bill through the experience of a constituent, Charlotte, who remained in high school under an individualized education plan until age 21 and later pursued the UT Future program. "The discount ended when she turned 24, which was before her second semester just as she was starting her college journey," Vital said. He testified that Charlotte did not qualify for the Step Up scholarship because of a strict 16‑month enrollment rule and asked the committee to remove that time limit to allow more flexibility for students who need extra time to prepare for college.
Chairman Bridal (committee member) summarized a fiscal review: "Fiscal note came back at less than a hundred thousand. There could be some possible expansion, but there are some age limitations that are in place already in our educational institutions." He said the change "probably would cap out at 27, 28, 29 depending upon the program," indicating the proposal is intended for younger students finishing transition services rather than much older adults. The sponsor and members said Tennessee Higher Education Commission and UT advocacy participated in discussions.
The subcommittee identified a budget impact to the lottery education account and, without objection, moved the bill to the lottery calendar where it will be scheduled with other lottery‑funded matters.
