Task force rejects lottery scholarship equalization

A task force of college presidents and legislators Thursday chose not to equalize financial aid to public and private college students from the proposed Tennessee state lottery.

A move by House sponsor Chris Newton (R-Turtletown) to make the award to both groups $4,000 a year failed, 7-7, in the Education Lottery Task Force early Thursday afternoon.

The task force approved a recommendation made last week by a subcommittee that sets annual awards at $4,000 for public four-year students, $2,000 for private four-year school students, $2,000 for public two-year school students, $1,500 for technical school enrollees and an additional $1,000 for students qualifying for