1. (1) Each eligible postsecondary institution shall use its existing Institutional Review Panel (IRP) for purposes of reviewing and rendering decisions regarding appeals for the Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship. The IRP shall use the same procedures and timelines as those that currently exist for the review of Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) appeals as outlined in Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1640-01-19.

2. (2) TSAC shall use the existing TSAC Appeals Panel to consider appeals and render decisions for those students who appeal a decision made by the IRP and for appeals made directly to TSAC. The same guidelines shall exist for appeals of the Tennessee STEP UP Scholarship as those that are currently in place for TELS as outlined in Tenn. Comp. R & Regs.1640-01-

   1. 19. A decision of the TSAC Appeals Panel made on the merits of the appeal is the final administrative remedy available to the student.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 49-4-201, 49-4-204, 49-4-924, and 49-4-943. Administrative History: Original rule filed December 27, 2013; effective May 31, 2014. Amendments filed November 22, 2024; effective February 20, 2025.