(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Dependent child” means a natural or adopted child or stepchild:

(A) Whose parent is a headquarters staff employee;

(B) Whose parent claims the child as a dependent for federal income tax purposes;

(C) Who is under twenty-one (21) years of age; and

(D) Who resides in another nation only while the parent is on full-time work assignment as a headquarters staff employee;

(2) “Headquarters staff employee” has the same meaning as defined in § 67-6-224(b); and

(3) “Qualified headquarters facility” has the same meaning as defined in § 67-6-224(b).

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this part to the contrary, a student who is a Tennessee citizen and a dependent child of a headquarters staff employee who is on full-time work assignment in a foreign nation shall be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE scholarship as an entering freshman if the student meets all eligibility requirements for the scholarship, except that, while the parent is on full-time work assignment in another nation, the student does not reside in Tennessee immediately preceding the date of application for financial assistance and the student does not meet the requirements of § 49-4-905(b)(2). To be eligible under this section, the student shall:

(1) Graduate from a high school that is accredited by a regional accrediting association as defined in § 49-4-902 in the foreign nation where the student's parent is on work assignment and meet the academic eligibility requirements of § 49-4-907(3); or

(2) Complete high school in a home school in the foreign nation where the student's parent is on work assignment and meet the eligibility requirements of § 49-4-908(a)(3).

(c) This section shall only apply to dependent children of headquarters staff employees who are on full-time work assignment in another nation for more than one (1) year and who were Tennessee residents before leaving the United States and intend to return to Tennessee upon completion of their assignment.