Help coming to Tennessee higher education students; state to defer some student loans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee education leaders are worried that the state’s higher education system will take a hit from the pandemic. Now, the state is changing some rules to help students stay on track.

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is worried about losing students and possibly not having a strong workforce in the future. A lot of these changes make it easier for students while they're in school and when they finish.

For example, math and science teaching candidates, and nursing students will have their state loans deferred until June of 2021.

For the 50,000 students who qualify for the Hope Scholarship, students won't be penalized a pass/fail grade system instead of meeting a certain GPA.

Under the Tennessee Promise, students normally have to complete eight hours of community service. That requirement is now being dropped for the fall semester.

Tennessee Higher Education Commission Mike Krause feels they won't have to worry about possibly losing students with these changes.

“I think that our ultimate concern is that the intensity of the moment leads to us losing students who would've otherwise been successful,” Krause said.

It’s also college application week in Tennessee. Now a big part of these efforts is making sure high school seniors are thinking about college right now instead of putting it off.