1. (1) Students enrolled in a full-time or part-time status, as of the institutionally defined census date, may not convert to part-time or less than part-time status within the same semester and receive a scholarship award for the succeeding semesters unless the student requests and the institution approves the change to part-time or less than part-time status.
2. (2) An institution may allow a change from full-time to part-time or from part-time to less than part-time status within the same semester only when there are documented medical or personal grounds, in accordance with Rule 1640-01-19-.11.
3. (3) Each eligible postsecondary institution shall adopt procedures for considering student requests for change from full-time to part-time or from part-time to less than part-time status within the semester. In the event an institution denies a student’s request to change enrollment status within a semester, the student may appeal the decision pursuant to Rule 1640-01-19-.16.
4. (4) If the decision to deny the change of status is upheld through the appeals process, the student shall be ineligible to regain the TELS award.
5. (5) If the change to part-time or less than part-time status is approved, the eligible postsecondary institution shall apply its refund policy to determine whether a refund may be required and/or funds returned to TSAC. The eligible postsecondary institution shall provide the student with a notice indicating the amount to be returned to TSAC. Additionally, the eligible postsecondary institution shall notify TSAC of the refund, which shall be noted on the student’s record.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 49-4-201, 49-4-204, 49-4-902, 49-4-903, 49-4-911, 49-4-912, and 49-4-924. Administrative History: Original rule filed December 29, 2003; effective April 29, 2004. Amendment filed October 21, 2004; effective February 28, 2005. Public necessity rule filed October 4, 2005; effective through March 18, 2006. Public necessity rules 1640-01-19-.01 through 1640-01-19-.26 filed October 4, 2005, expired on March 18, 2006. On March 19, 2006, rules 1640-01-19-.01 through 1640-01-19-.26 reverted to rules in effect on October 3, 2005. Repeal and new rule filed November 9, 2005; effective March 30, 2006. Public necessity rule filed November 20, 2007; effective through May 3, 2008. Repeal and new rule filed November 20, 2007; effective March 28, 2008. Amendments filed April 27, 2021; effective July 26, 2021. Amendments filed August 7, 2023; effective November 5, 2023.