Tenn. Lottery scholarships underfunded

Jan 19, 2011, 7:44 am (11 comments)

Tennessee Lottery

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Lottery games aren't generating enough money to pay for all of the Hope Scholarships. Now, lawmakers are putting options together that could make it tougher for students to get a scholarship in the future.

More students than ever are eligible to receive the annual $4,000 Hope Scholarship. A special task force has been analyzing the problem for the last year. Lawmakers say they don't want to impact any current scholarships and break promises to students.

"That's part of their overall plan for post-secondary, and we don't need to interrupt that plan midstream in reference to money or lack of money. So, what we're looking at is phasing in some changes that will take effect down the road," said Rep. Harry Brooks, R-Knoxville.

Lawmakers have narrowed their options, which impact future recipients. They're considering requiring both an ACT score of 21 and a GPA of 3.0, as opposed to one or the other. Another option is to raise the ACT requirement from 21 to 23 and possibly raising the GPA from 3.0 to 3.25. The final proposal would limit the scholarship length to eight semesters unless the degree specifically requires five years for completion.

"Future students, it will impact their financial plan. It could very well impact the whole scholarship plan," said Brooks.

Lawmakers said they will wait until Gov. Bill Haslam weighs in on the issue before making a decision. But they say the problem will be resolved this legislative session because the system is running out of money.

Thanks to Helen for the tip.

WSMV-TV

Comments

pcurtis's avatarpcurtis

There you go a good reason to fire Rebecca.

Come on TN officials do your job and get rid of her.

She is the problem.

TnTicketlosers's avatarTnTicketlosers

When you stop the root of the problem I will start to play again.I will not continue to support the Lottery financially.You got to give a little to get a little.I feel sorry for the kids in this state I really do.Find a kid in your own hometown and help them,thats what I do now,the rewards are much greater.

TnTicketlosers's avatarTnTicketlosers

Hey lawmakers of Tennessee dont raise those scores on the students that is not fair to them because of someone elses scam.That is bull.

pcurtis's avatarpcurtis

Quote: Originally posted by TnTicketlosers on Jan 19, 2011

Hey lawmakers of Tennessee dont raise those scores on the students that is not fair to them because of someone elses scam.That is bull.

I Agree!

butterflykt's avatarbutterflykt

Such a shame.

pcurtis's avatarpcurtis

Do you guys ever notice when a news story comes out about the TN lottery bam the payouts jump up.

I/19/11 cash 3 midday 97 grand. 1/19/11 eve. 98 grand.

Blackdave's avatarBlackdave

Gosh im so sick of this crap!! u gotta be blind not to see whats going on! yea and last past months the payouts has been avg 15 to 20 grand if that! and now they allmost a 100 thousand haha....

TnTicketlosers's avatarTnTicketlosers

Thats what I've been saying for years,people are playing,they are scratching,they see what is played and laughing at us the whole time.Why would anybody in their right mind want to keep feeding money to it.it reminds me of those scammers in Nigeria.It makes me sick to my stomache.Now I avoid all store with the purple and yellow signs.We are the laughing stock of this country.Well like the Millionaires Club 20.00 scratch off,this new one is suppose to make her all that money she is needing AGAIN,well good luck..I will keep my money.

TheOtherOne's avatarTheOtherOne

Ha Ha, I see what you are saying.

Did Rebecca demand that 2 easy, consecutive numbers be released so the payout would go up and ease the moaning of the people? Hmm....

catman789

Its been a long time since i've been here and i will do better as far as doing my part of trying to help us win the big one but what suprises me is, with all of the under-handed things that the tn lottery is doing like small payouts everyday, you would think ppl would demand at least to see how many ppl win daily cause giving out 20 to 30 grand daily in a 95 county state just doesn't add up and they say the lottery is under-funded. If only 1000 ppl played in one county, times 95 counties that's= 95,000 dollars everyday and we all know its wayyyy more ppl playing in these counties.

sully16's avatarsully16

sad , sounds like becky needs to go bye bye real fast.

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