Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1640-01-26-.08 - PARTNERING ORGANIZATION REQUIREMENTS

(1) Partnering Organizations that participate in the Tennessee Promise Scholarship program shall meet the following requirements:

(a) Be established as a not-for-profit organization, except that a postsecondary institution that receives funding under the Tennessee Promise Scholarship program shall not be permitted to participate as a Partnering Organization;

(b) Operate as a college access and success program serving Tennessee residents at an eligible postsecondary institution;

(c) Adhere to rules promulgated by TSAC for the administration of this program;

(d) Provide a mentoring program with an appropriate mentor to eligible student applicant ratio. This ratio may be modified in proportion to the number of students who remain eligible for the program. The minimum age and ratio requirements shall not apply to full- or part-time paid mentors or counselors that work directly with students;

(e) For Partnering Organizations utilizing volunteer mentors, select volunteer mentors for the following academic year and provide one (1) mandatory training meeting prior to assigning mentors to program participants. This meeting may be offered on multiple dates and should provide an overview of the Tennessee Promise Scholarship program and appropriate mentor-student relationships;

(f) Provide one (1) meeting for all Tennessee Promise Scholarship program participants prior to initial enrollment in an eligible postsecondary institution. This meeting may be offered on multiple dates and should provide an overview of the Tennessee Promise Scholarship program;

(g) Provide opportunities for the student to receive the training when a student cannot attend a scheduled mandatory meeting due to extenuating circumstances;

(h) Provide a minimum of one (1) contact monthly with each assigned Tennessee Promise Scholarship program participant beginning in the month of the application deadline. Contact shall be maintained throughout the student's participation in the Program. Contacts may include meetings, phone calls, emails, or text messages;

(i) Organize a local advisory council to serve as an advocate for the Program. The advisory council shall be comprised of a minimum of five (5) members, with at least one (1) member representative from each the local education agency, the county mayor's or executive's office, and a local postsecondary institution. Organizations that have been in existence for a minimum of three (3) years may use existing boards or boards of trustees as the local advisory council if the board or board of trustees is substantially similar to the requirements of this subsection;

(j) Obtain a certified background check on all mentors prior to service as a mentor. A mentor shall not be eligible to participate in the Tennessee Promise Scholarship program if convicted of any felony or offense listed at T.C.A. §§ 39-13-527, 39-13-532, 39-17-417, and 40-35-501(i)(2). For purposes of this section, "conviction" includes entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or entry of an order granting pre-trial or judicial diversion;

(k) Submit to audits on a periodic basis as determined by TSAC;

(l) Enter into an Agreement with TSAC regarding program requirements, performance metrics and Partnering Organization obligations; and

(m) Obtain an insurance policy that, at a minimum, covers liability of the Partnering Organization against physical and sexual abuse or misconduct directed toward participants of the Program by its officers, directors, employees, and volunteers.

Notes

Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1640-01-26-.08

Emergency rule filed August 14, 2014; effective through February 10, 2015. Original rule filed August 14, 2014; effective November 12, 2014. Repeal and new rule filed December 19, 2014; effective March 19, 2015. Emergency rule filed August 4, 2015; effective through January 31, 2016. Amendments filed February 9, 2016; effective May 9, 2016. Emergency rules filed February 13, 2017; effective through August 12, 2017. The emergency rules expired on August 13, 2017 and reverted back to their previous status. Amendments filed July 17, 2017; effective October 15, 2017. Amendments filed October 31, 2018; effective January 29, 2019. Amendments filed August 7, 2023; effective November 5, 2023. Rule was previously numbered 1640-01-26-.09 but was renumbered 1640-01-26-.08 with the deletion of rule 1640-01-26-.05 filed November 22, 2024; effective 2/20/2025. Amendments filed November 22, 2024; effective 2/20/2025.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 39-13-527, 39-13-532, 39-17-417, 40-35-501, 49-4-201, 49-4-204, and 49-4-708.