TELS Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) Program (HOPE Scholarship) offers grants and scholarships for students in pursuit of an associate or baccalaureate degree at an eligible postsecondary institution. Lee University will utilize the following progress policy in evaluating students for continued eligibility.

Retention of Awards

1. Complete the FAFSA or Renewal FAFSA each year prior to the September 1 priority date for Fall or Feb 1 for Spring and Summer.
    
2. Review eligibility at the end of the semester that the recipient completes every 24 attempted hours (i.e., 24, 48, 72, 96, and 120).
    
3. The cumulative TELS grade point average (GPA) must be as follows for HOPE:
    
   1. Must have a cumulative TELS grade point average (GPA)of 2.75 after 24 and 48 attempted hours.
      After attempting 72 hours and beyond a student may retain the award by either:
      *achieving a TELS grade point average of 3.0 or above, OR
      *achieving a TELS grade point average of 2.75 to 2.99 AND a semester GPA of at least 3.0 in the preceding term for which the student will receive the award as a full-time enrolled student.

4. If a student has successfully completed 24 hours at the end of the spring 2009 term, but does not have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher, the student cannot take classes in the summer 2004 term to raise their TELS GPA.

5. The TELS GPA may differ from the institutional GPA. All hours attempted after high school are included in your TELS GPA.
    
6. Eligibility will end at one of the following:
   1. Earned baccalaureate degree
   2. The semester in which 120 attempted hours is attained or surpassed (136 attempted hours is allowed if required for degree completion or a professional level program that is an extension of an undergraduate program)
   3. Five calendar years from the initial start in the TELS program.
7. Counting of Hours
   1. For the graduating Class of 2003, students are required to have successfully completed at least 24 credit hours and at least 2.75 cumulative Grade Point Average prior to the Fall 2004 semester.
   2. Counting of attempted/earned hours begins after high school graduation.
   3. Attempted hours include withdrawn, incomplete, remedial, repeated and development courses which are taken after high school graduation.
       
8. Students must maintain continuous enrollment in college – fall and spring semesters of a single academic year.
    
9. The stated award amount is based on full-time enrollment. The award amount will be prorated at the time of disbursement for less than full time enrollment. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours to receive a TELS award. Once full-time enrollment is established students must obtain prior approval to drop below full-time status.
    
10. All TELS awards are conditional. TSAC (Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation) will determine final eligibility.
     
11. Students have the opportunity to regain eligibility based on academic achievement in their college career. Students who lose the TN HOPE may re-establish eligibility at the next subsequent credit hour checkpoint following the original loss of the award. Students may regain the award one time only; GAMS scholars who regain return at the HOPE level only.
     
12. Students may re-take one course during their college career and the highest grade will be applied for TN HOPE GPA calculations. All hours attempted for both courses apply toward the 120 credit hour limitation.
     
13. Scholarship is terminated after attainment of baccalaureate degree OR 5 years have passed from initial enrollment – whichever occurs first

Converting from Full-Time to Part-Time

1. Students enrolled in a full-time status, as of institutionally defined census date, may not convert to part-time status within the same semester and receive a scholarship award for the succeeding semesters unless the student requests and the institution approves the change to part-time status. The approval form can be found on Lee’s website at www.leeuniversity.edu
    
2. An institution may allow a change from full-time to part-time status within the same semester only when there are documented medical or personal grounds. Such medical or personal grounds 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 full-time attendance by the student creates a substantial hardship. This appeal should be submitted in writing to the Financial Aid Office or by e-mail to finaid@leeuniversity.edu
    
3. If IRP denies the appeal, the student may re-appeal to TSAC. In the event that the decision to deny the change of status is upheld through the appeals process, the student shall be ineligible to regain the TELS award or become eligible for another TELS award.

Leave of Absence

1. Student must submit a request for a leave of absence with supporting documentation.
    
2. Allowable reasons may include illness of recipient, illness or death of immediate family member, financial hardship, religious commitment, or other extraordinary circumstances.
    
3. Student will not be required to submit a request for a leave of absence for academically acceptable reasons such as internship.
    
4. Military Mobilization. Members of the U.S. Armed Services, National Guard, or Armed Forces Reserves receiving TELS awards and are mobilized for active duty during a semester that is all ready in progress shall be granted a personal leave of absence by the eligible college the student is attending and shall not have their TELS award eligibility negatively impacted. If the student mobilized elects to completely withdraw from the college, then the hours attempted will not be taken into consideration for purposes determining future TELS award eligibility.

Failure to Timely Enroll

1. Students must enroll within 16 months of high school graduation or completion of a home school or GED program.
    
2. An exception may be granted for the following medical or personal reasons:
   1. Illness of the student
   2. Illness or death of an immediate family member of the student
   3. Extreme financial hardship of the student or student’s immediate family
   4. To fulfill a religious commitment expected of all students in that faith
   5. Other extraordinary circumstances

Appeal and Exception

1. The student will be notified if satisfactory progress has not been made.
    
2. Decisions will be made and communicated to the recipient within 14 days of the appeal.
    
3. The appeal of the recipient is only for medical or personal reasons and must be documented.
    
4. Recipients may re-appeal to TSAC’s TELS Award Appeals Panel on decisions made by the institution’s IRP within 45 days of the decision by the IRP. The decision of the TELS Award Appeal Panel is the final administrative appeal.
    

Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation
c/o TELS Award Appeals Panel
404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1950
Nashville, TN  37243