- Responsible Officer: Executive Director of Financial Aid
- Responsible Executive: Executive Vice President for Student Success
I. PURPOSE
The Institutional Review Panel (IRP) at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ State Community College (Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ State) is organized to review appeals by students who have lost eligibility or are requesting a leave of absence for Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarships (TELS), TN Promise, and/or TN Reconnect.
II. DUTIES
The IRP reviews appeals/requests as needed during each fall, spring or summer semester when a student submits an appeal/request for TELS, and/or TN Promise or TN Reconnect. Appeals/requests must be resolved within three (3) business days following receipt to comply with the 14-day turnaround required by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC)/Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). Financial Aid office staff may not make decisions on appeals/leaves of absence (even approvals). All records of appeals/requests and determinations will be kept in the Financial Aid office.
III. MEMBERS
- The committee consists of the following members:
- Assistant Vice President for Business and Finance or designee (Ex-officio – voting);
- Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee (Ex-officio – voting);
- Student Success Division Member - TN Promise Representative (as assigned by EVPSS); (Note: The TN Promise Representative will review both TELS and Promise appeals)
- Student Success Division Member - TN Reconnect Representative (as assigned by EVPSS); Note: The TN Reconnect Representative will review Reconnect appeals.
- Assistant Director of Advising or designee (Ex-officio – voting); and
- Dean of Students or Designee (Ex-officio – voting).
- Students are not allowed to serve on any Financial Aid appeals committees, in accordance with TSAC/THEC guidance.
IV. DECISIONS
Decisions will be determined by the majority of votes received at the end of the third (3rd) business day. Any decisions resulting in a tie or lack of votes will be determined to be denied, and the student will have the option to appeal directly to TSAC/THEC.
The decision of the committee is final.
SOURCES
HISTORY
- Approved by the Leadership Council on November 24, 2015; effective date: December 1, 2015
- Revision: October 11, 2022; August 26, 2025
- Institutional Oversight Committee Approved: December 16, 2022; September 19, 2025
- President’s Cabinet Approved: January 9, 2023; October 7, 2025
- Effective Date: January 9, 2023; October 7, 2025
