81R8686 JRJ-D
By: Lucio III H.B. No. 4626
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to establishing scholarships for members of a Reserve
Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) attending public institutions of
higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter FF to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER FF. SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MEMBERS OF A RESERVE OFFICERS'
TRAINING CORPS (ROTC)
Sec. 61.9771. SCHOLARSHIPS. The board shall establish and
administer, in accordance with this subchapter and board rules,
scholarships for students who are:
(1) members of a Reserve Officers' Training Corps
(ROTC); and
(2) enrolled in an undergraduate program at an
institution of higher education.
Sec. 61.9772. ELIGIBILITY; NOMINATION AND SELECTION. (a)
To be eligible to receive an initial scholarship under this
subchapter, a student must:
(1) have earned a grade point average of at least 3.5
on a four-point scale or the equivalent for each year of high
school;
(2) graduate from a public or private high school in
this state;
(3) demonstrate leadership abilities through
participation in community service, extracurricular activities, or
other activities, as determined by the board;
(4) be enrolled as a freshman in an institution of
higher education;
(5) enroll in and be a member in good standing of a
Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program while enrolled in
an institution of higher education, regardless of whether the
student pursues a military obligation; and
(6) be nominated for a scholarship by a state senator
or state representative.
(b) In each year, each state senator may nominate up to four
students to receive an initial scholarship under this subchapter,
and each state representative may nominate up to two students to
receive an initial scholarship under this subchapter. From the
students nominated, the coordinating board by lottery shall select
the students who receive an initial scholarship in a number
determined by the board under Section 61.9773.
(c) For a student to continue to receive a scholarship
awarded under this subchapter, the student must maintain a
cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 on a four-point scale
or the equivalent for each semester the student is enrolled in an
institution of higher education.
Sec. 61.9773. RULES. (a) The board shall adopt rules as
necessary for the administration of this subchapter, including
rules regarding the eligibility criteria, the selection of
recipients by lottery, and the manner in which the amount of a
scholarship is determined.
(b) In determining the amount of a scholarship awarded under
this subchapter, the board shall consider:
(1) the financial need of the student; and
(2) other financial aid available to the student.
(c) The board shall determine the maximum amount of a
scholarship awarded under this subchapter and the number of
eligible students who may receive a scholarship, considering funds
available.
(d) The board by rule shall determine the manner in which
the scholarship payments are made.
Sec. 61.9774. USE OF SCHOLARSHIP; LIMITATION. (a) A
scholarship may be spent by the recipient only to cover all or part
of the costs of attendance, including tuition, fees, expenses for
books and supplies, and living expenses, incurred by the recipient
in connection with enrollment at an institution of higher
education.
(b) A person may not receive a scholarship under this
subchapter for more than a cumulative total of 150 credit hours or
after being awarded a baccalaureate degree, whichever occurs first.
Sec. 61.9775. FUNDING. The board shall administer this
subchapter using available appropriations and gifts, grants, and
donations made for the purposes of this subchapter.
SECTION 2. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
shall award scholarships under Subchapter FF, Chapter 61, Education
Code, as added by this Act, beginning with the 2010-2011 academic
year. The coordinating board shall adopt the rules required by that
subchapter as soon as practicable after this Act takes effect.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2010.