As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Department” means the department of education;

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 49-6-2602

  • Department: means the department of education. See Tennessee Code 49-6-2602
  • Eligible student: means a resident of this state who:
    (A)
    (i) Was previously enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for the one (1) full school year immediately preceding the school year for which the student receives an education savings account. See Tennessee Code 49-6-2602
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • High school: means a school in which any combination of grades nine through twelve (9-12) are taught. See Tennessee Code 49-6-2602
  • Parent: means the parent, guardian, person who has custody of the child, or individual who has caregiving authority under §. See Tennessee Code 49-6-2602
  • Participating student: means :
    (A) An eligible student who is seventeen (17) years of age or younger and whose parent is participating in the education savings account program. See Tennessee Code 49-6-2602
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Program: means the education savings account program created in this part. See Tennessee Code 49-6-2602
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • State board: means the state board of education. See Tennessee Code 49-6-2602
  • Year: means a calendar year, unless otherwise expressed. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(2) “Eligible postsecondary institution” means:

(A) An institution operated by:

(i) The board of trustees of the University of Tennessee;
(ii) The board of regents of the state university and community college system; or
(iii) A local governing board of trustees of a state university in this state; or
(B) A private postsecondary institution accredited by an accrediting organization approved by the state board of education;
(3) “Eligible student” means a resident of this state who:

(A)

(i) Was previously enrolled in and attended a Tennessee public school for the one (1) full school year immediately preceding the school year for which the student receives an education savings account;
(ii) Is eligible for the first time to enroll in a Tennessee school; or
(iii) Received an education savings account in the previous school year;
(B) Is a student in any of the grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12);
(C)

(i) Is zoned to attend a school in an LEA, excluding the achievement school district (ASD), with ten (10) or more schools:

(a) Identified as priority schools in 2015, as defined by the state’s accountability system pursuant to § 49-1-602;
(b) Among the bottom ten percent (10%) of schools, as identified by the department in 2017 in accordance with § 49-1-602(b)(3); and
(c) Identified as priority schools in 2018, as defined by the state’s accountability system pursuant to § 49-1-602; or
(ii) Is zoned to attend a school that is in the ASD on May 24, 2019; and
(D) Is a member of a household with an annual income for the previous year that does not exceed twice the federal income eligibility guidelines for free lunch;
(4) “ESA” means an education savings account created by this part;
(5) “High school” means a school in which any combination of grades nine through twelve (9-12) are taught; provided, that the school must include grade twelve (12);
(6) “Legacy student” means a participating student who:

(A)

(i) Graduates from high school; or
(ii) Exits the program by reaching twenty-two (22) years of age;
(B) Has funds remaining in the student’s education savings account; and
(C) Has an open education savings account;
(7) “Local education agency” or “LEA” has the same meaning as defined in § 49-1-103;
(8) “Parent” means the parent, guardian, person who has custody of the child, or individual who has caregiving authority under § 49-6-3001;
(9) “Participating school” means a private school, as defined by § 49-6-3001(c)(3)(A)(iii), that meets the requirements established by the department of education and the state board of education for a Category I, II, or III private school, and that seeks to enroll eligible students;
(10) “Participating student” means:

(A) An eligible student who is seventeen (17) years of age or younger and whose parent is participating in the education savings account program; or
(B) An eligible student who has reached the age of eighteen (18) and who is participating in the education savings account program;
(11) “Program” means the education savings account program created in this part;
(12) “Provider” means an individual or business that provides educational services in accordance with this part and that meets the requirements established by the department of education and the state board of education; and
(13) “State board” means the state board of education.