(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant.”

(b) To be eligible for a Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant, a student seeking a diploma or certificate at a Tennessee college of applied technology operated by the board of regents of the state university and community college system shall:

(1) Meet the requirements of §§ 49-4-904 and 49-4-905(a);

(2) Be admitted to the institution in a program of study leading to a certificate or diploma;

(3) Complete and file the FAFSA. Students shall complete the FAFSA each academic year in which they seek to receive the Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant; and

(4) Be an independent student as determined by the FAFSA.

(c) A student who receives a Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant under this section shall be enrolled full-time as defined in § 49-4-708. If a student fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress, then the student shall lose the Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant. Once a student loses a Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant, no additional award under this section shall be made.

(d) A student who has been awarded a Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant shall maintain continuous enrollment at the institution in accordance with the institution's requirements.

(e) A student shall reapply each academic year for the Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant.

(f) An eligible student may receive a Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant for all course work required by the institution for a program of study leading to a certificate or diploma. Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grants may not be used for continuing education courses.

(g) Subject to the amounts appropriated by the general assembly and any law relating to a shortfall in funds available for postsecondary financial assistance from the net proceeds of the state lottery, a Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant awarded under this section shall be for independent students as determined by the FAFSA, and shall be the cost of tuition and mandatory fees at the Tennessee college of applied technology attended less all other gift aid, which shall be credited first to the student's tuition and mandatory fees. Notwithstanding § 49-4-902, “gift aid” as used in this section shall be financial aid received from a federal Pell grant, a Tennessee student assistance award, and any scholarship or grant funded from net lottery proceeds under this part.

(h) No student shall be eligible for more than one (1) Wilder-Naifeh reconnect grant.