(a) To be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, a nontraditional student shall:

(1) Not be ineligible for the scholarship under § 49-4-904;

(2) Meet the requirements of § 49-4-905(a). Section 49-4-905(b) shall not apply to nontraditional students seeking Tennessee HOPE scholarships;

(3) Meet the requirements of § 49-4-915(a)(2);

(4)

(A) Have attempted at least twelve (12) semester hours and received a Tennessee HOPE scholarship as a nontraditional student while enrolled in an associate degree program at an eligible postsecondary institution prior to August 1, 2018; or

(B) Enroll in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible four-year postsecondary institution and attempt at least twelve (12) semester hours;

(5) Maintain satisfactory progress in a course of study, in accordance with the standards and practices used for federal Title IV programs at the postsecondary institution attended;

(6) Subject to § 49-4-919, maintain continuous enrollment at the eligible postsecondary institution attended as a nontraditional student; and

(7) Apply for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship.

(b) A nontraditional student shall be eligible for the award of a Tennessee HOPE scholarship at the end of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of twelve (12) semester hours if the student has a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75. A nontraditional student who does not achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at the end of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of twelve (12) semester hours shall be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship if the student achieves a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at the end of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of twenty-four (24) semester hours. A nontraditional student who does not have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 at the end of the semester in which the student has attempted a total of twelve (12) semester hours or twenty-four (24) semester hours shall be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship if the student meets the requirements of § 49-4-911(a)(1) at the end of a subsequent semester at which continuing eligibility for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship is reviewed under § 49-4-911(a)(1) or the requirements of § 49-4-911(a)(2) at the end of any semester after the student has attempted forty-eight (48) or more semester hours.

(c) To continue to receive a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, the student shall meet the applicable requirements of § 49-4-911.

(d) A student may receive a Tennessee HOPE scholarship for nontraditional students under this section until the first of the following events:

(1) The student has earned a baccalaureate degree;

(2) If the student previously received a Tennessee HOPE scholarship, the sum of the number of years during which the nontraditional student has received a Tennessee HOPE scholarship for nontraditional students and a Tennessee HOPE scholarship equals five (5) years; or

(3) Five (5) years have passed since the student enrolled in an eligible postsecondary institution as a nontraditional student.

(e) A nontraditional student shall not be eligible for an ASPIRE award for need under § 49-4-915 or a general assembly merit scholar supplemental award under § 49-4-916.

(f) No retroactive award of a Tennessee HOPE scholarship shall be made under this section.

(g) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (d) to the contrary, a student who first receives a Tennessee HOPE scholarship for nontraditional students in the fall semester of 2009 or thereafter may receive the scholarship for nontraditional students until the first of the applicable events as outlined in § 49-4-913 occurs.