Scholarships and Financial Aid - As introduced, enacts the "Speak UP, Tennessee Scholarship Act"; requires the Tennessee student assistance corporation to establish by rules a program that provides scholarships for students in grade 12 and at public institutions of higher education in this state who demonstrate artistic excellence in spoken word poetry through a competitive, performance-based selection process to pursue higher education to further develop their literary and performance skills. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4 and Title 49, Chapter 7.

HB 1298, known as the "Speak UP, Tennessee Scholarship Act," creates a new scholarship program for Tennessee students in grade 12 and those enrolled at public colleges or universities who demonstrate artistic excellence in spoken word poetry. The Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) must establish this program through rules, using a competitive, performance-based selection process to award scholarships. Funding will come from state appropriations, grants, or private donations, and the program will begin for the 2025-2026 school year to support students pursuing further development of literary and performance skills.