(a) The Tennessee Support, Training, and Renewing Opportunity for National Guardsmen (STRONG) program, referred to as the “program,” shall be established under the authority of the adjutant general to provide tuition reimbursement to an educational institution on behalf of eligible members of the Tennessee national guard. Member eligibility for the program shall be determined pursuant to § 49-4-1005.

(b) Upon successful application by the eligible member attending a public educational institution, the department of military shall pay the educational institution an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the maximum resident undergraduate in-state tuition charged by the institution attended, less all other state or federal financial assistance as described in § 49-4-1005. Such financial assistance must be credited first to the member's tuition, subject to § 49-4-1005.

(c) Notwithstanding subsection (b), for members attending a private two-year college the amount paid is the average cost of tuition at the public two-year postsecondary institutions, as determined by the Tennessee higher education commission and Tennessee student assistance corporation, less all other financial assistance received by the member. For members attending a private four-year college or university the amount paid is the average cost of tuition at the public four-year universities, as determined by the Tennessee higher education commission and Tennessee student assistance corporation, less all other financial assistance received by the member. Such financial assistance must be credited first to the amount of the average tuition, subject to § 49-4-1005.

(d) The adjutant general is authorized to promulgate rules, in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, to effectuate the purposes of the program.