81R27802 JSA-D
By: Naishtat H.B. No. 4556
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4556:
By: Howard of Travis C.S.H.B. No. 4556
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to measures to promote the pursuit of higher education by
AmeriCorps participants.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.0904 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.0904. INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE HIGHER EDUCATION BY
AMERICORPS PARTICIPANTS. (a) The board shall develop measures to
promote the pursuit of postsecondary education at institutions of
higher education by current or former AmeriCorps participants.
(b) The board shall coordinate with institutions of higher
education to promote the inclusion of information regarding the
availability of Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards to AmeriCorps
participants in written materials provided to prospective students
and in financial aid application or informational materials.
(c) Using money available to the board for student financial
aid, including any money appropriated for purposes of this section
or other money available to the board, including gifts, grants,
donations, or federal funds, the board may develop and administer a
program of financial assistance or other measures as the board
considers appropriate to provide incentives to AmeriCorps
participants to pursue postsecondary education at institutions of
higher education. The program may include scholarships, grants
that match any money received from a Segal AmeriCorps Education
Award, or other incentives such as reimbursement to institutions
that waive application fees or other costs for applicants or
students who are current or former AmeriCorps participants.
(d) The board shall examine whether, consistent with
applicable academic standards, it is feasible for institutions of
higher education to grant academic credit for all or part of a
student's AmeriCorps service, and shall make recommendations for
that purpose to institutions consistent with the board's findings.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.