Tennessee committee approves House Bill 1056 expanding scholarships for nontraditional students

The Tennessee Legislature's Education Committee convened on April 1, 2025, to discuss several key pieces of legislation impacting education funding and access in the state. The meeting began with a focus on House Bill 1056, which proposes a 25% discount on tuition for children under 24 whose parents are full-time public school employees, extending the benefit to support staff, including custodians and food service workers. The committee unanimously voted in favor of the bill, moving it to the finance committee for further consideration.

Following this, the committee addressed House Bill 645, introduced by Leader Garrett. This bill aims to amend existing scholarship provisions to include Western Governors University (WGU) of Tennessee, allowing it access to additional scholarship funding. The amendment was accepted without objection, and Garrett emphasized the importance of this legislation for non-traditional students, particularly those balancing work and family commitments. He shared his personal experience attending law school while working full-time, highlighting the need for flexible educational opportunities.

Dr. Kim Estep, Chancellor of WGU Tennessee, and Ginger Hauser, a former vice president at a state community college, provided testimony supporting the bill. They noted WGU's success in awarding over 13,000 degrees to working adults and its role in providing innovative educational models for non-traditional students. They argued that expanding scholarship access would enhance economic opportunities for these individuals.

However, some committee members expressed concerns about the potential impact on traditional brick-and-mortar institutions. They cautioned that expanding scholarship eligibility could divert funds from existing programs and exacerbate competition among educational institutions. One member highlighted the risk of diluting resources for students currently benefiting from the Ben Ashley Scholarship, which supports low-income students in independent colleges.

Despite these concerns, the committee ultimately moved forward with the discussion, with a commitment to address funding issues as the bill progresses through the finance committee. The meeting concluded with a recognition of the importance of balancing support for both traditional and non-traditional educational pathways in Tennessee.