Lottery Scholarship Bill Passes Tennessee Senate

A proposal that would make cutting some Tennessee students' lottery scholarships in half contingent on lottery revenues has passed the Senate.  The companion bill is awaiting a vote in the House Education Committee.  An original proposal sought to reduce by 50 percent the award for students who do not meet both standardized testing and high school grade requirements. A special panel of lawmakers recommended the proposal in November.  Right now, students can get a scholarship worth $4,000 for each of four years if they either earn a 3.0 grade point average in high school or score a 21 on their ACT college entrance exam.  Under the new legislation, the lottery scholarship requirements won't change if lottery proceeds of at least $10 million - or more - are maintained through 2015.