Section 0520-01-16-.06 - TERM OF THE ESA(1) For purposes of continuity of educational attainment, a Participating Student shall remain eligible to participate in the Program until the Participating Student meets one (1) of the following, whichever occurs first: (a) Enrolls in a public school;(b) Enrolls in a Category IV or V private school or a private school not approved under the rules of the State Board;(c) Ceases to be a resident of Shelby, Hamilton, or Davidson Counties;(d) Is suspended or terminated from participating in the Program in accordance with T.C.A. §49-6-2808;(e) Graduates or withdraws from high school with no funds remaining in an open ESA account;(f) Reaches twenty-two (22) years of age with no funds remaining in an open ESA account. However, if the Participating Student reaches the age of twenty-two (22) with funds remaining in an open ESA account after the commencement of the school year, the Participating Student may remain in the Program until the conclusion of that school year; or(g) No longer meets or fails to verify that the Participating Student's household income meets the requirements of T.C.A. § 49-6-2602(3)(D) and this rule according to the schedule and income-verification process developed by the Department.(2) A Participating Student may voluntarily withdraw from the Program at any time. The Account Holder shall complete the procedures for withdrawal from the Program as set by the Department.(3) If a Participating Student becomes ineligible to participate in the Program for any reason or withdraws from the Program, the Participating Student's ESA shall be closed and any remaining funds shall be returned to the State Treasurer to be placed in the Education Trust Fund of 1992 under T.C.A. §§ 49-3-357 and 49-3-358.(4) The Account Holder may transfer the Participating Student from the Participating School to another Participating School in accordance with procedures set by the Department.(5) In order for a Participating Student to continue in the Program, the Account Holder shall annually apply to renew the ESA by following the procedures developed by the Department and posted on the Department's website.(6) If a Participating Student graduates high school or reaches twenty-two (22) years of age while enrolled in high school pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-6-2603(d)(1), and has funds remaining in the Participating Student's open ESA, the Participating Student shall become a Legacy Student. (a) A Legacy Student may use ESA funds to attend or take courses from an Eligible Postsecondary Institution and those expenditures are determined to be Qualifying Expenses.(b) A Legacy Student's ESA shall be closed and any remaining funds shall be returned to the State Treasurer to be placed in the Education Trust Fund of 1992 under T.C.A. §§ 49-3-357 and 49-3-358, after the first of the following events: 1. Upon a Legacy Student's graduation from an Eligible Postsecondary Institution;2. After four (4) consecutive years elapse immediately after a Legacy Student enrolls in an Eligible Postsecondary Institution; or3. After a Legacy Student is not enrolled in an Eligible Postsecondary Institution for twelve (12) consecutive months.(7) Account Holders are not required to spend the entire sum each year, however, a minimum amount of fifty percent (50%) of the funds must be used each year on approved expenses for the benefit of the student enrolled in the Program.(a) If overall spending does not equal fifty percent (50%) by the deadline for submission of the last expense report and if the ESA is renewed for the following year, the Department shall subtract the difference from the payments in the next contract year. If a student withdraws from the ESA Program or if the ESA is not renewed, the ESA shall be closed, and any remaining funds shall be returned to the state treasurer pursuant to T.C.A. § 49-6-2603.(8) The Department shall provide Parents of Participating Students or Participating Students who have reached the age of eighteen (18) with a written explanation of the allowable uses of ESA funds and the responsibilities of Parents of Participating Students and Participating Students who have reached the age of eighteen (18) regarding ESA funds. The Department shall also provide Parents of Participating Students or Participating Students who have reached the age of eighteen (18) with a written explanation of the Department's duties regarding ESA funds, Eligible Students, Participating Students, and Legacy Students.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-16-.06
Original rules filed November 27, 2019; effective February 25, 2020. Amendments filed May 26, 2023; effective August 24, 2023. Amendments filed December 18, 2023; effective 3/17/2024.Authority: T.C.A. §§ 49-1-302 and 49-6-2601, et seq.