(a)  To be eligible for a Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarship, a teacher shall:

     (1)  Be a tenured teacher teaching in a Tennessee public school system;

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

     (3)  Meet the requirements of § 49-4-905(a). Section 49-4-905(b) shall not apply to teachers seeking Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarships;

     (4)  Be admitted to and attend an eligible postsecondary institution seeking an advanced degree in mathematics or a science or certification to teach mathematics or a science;

     (5)  Maintain satisfactory progress in the teacher's program of study;

     (6)  Agree to teach mathematics or a science in a Tennessee public school system two (2) academic years for each year of funding provided by a Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarship and sign a promissory note that stipulates the cash repayment obligation incurred if the teaching service is not fulfilled. If a teacher fails to teach mathematics or a science in a Tennessee public school system for the number of years required to fulfill the teacher's obligation pursuant to the award of a Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarship, then all funds obtained from the award of the scholarship shall be repaid; provided, however, that no repayment shall be due if TSAC finds that it is impossible for the teacher to fulfill the obligation because of the death or permanent disability of the teacher; and

     (7)  Apply for a Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarship.

(b)  (1)  Except as provided in subdivisions (b)(2) and (3), no minimum number of hours of enrollment is required for eligibility for a Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarship.

     (2)  The program of study a teacher is attempting shall be completed within five (5) years, beginning with the first term for which scholarship funds are awarded.

     (3)  A teacher's eligibility for a Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarship expires if the teacher has a break in enrollment at an eligible postsecondary institution of more than twelve (12) months.

(c)  Subject to the amounts appropriated by the general assembly and any provision of law relating to a shortfall in funds available for postsecondary financial assistance from the net proceeds of the state lottery, a Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarship awarded to a teacher shall be two thousand dollars ($2,000) per year. The total amount of a Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarship awarded to a teacher shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for all years required for the teacher's program of study.

(d)  No retroactive award of a Tennessee HOPE teacher's scholarship shall be made under this section.

(e)  Scholarships awarded under this section shall not commence prior to fall semester, 2006.

[Acts 2006, ch. 977, § 1.]