81R8740 KEL-D
By: Watson S.B. No. 1765
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to financial assistance funded from the amounts of certain
fees charged to students enrolled at public institutions of higher
education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 56, Education Code, is
amended to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER B. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FUNDED
FROM DESIGNATED TUITION AND STUDENT FEES
Sec. 56.0105. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "student
fee" means a fee authorized by Section 54.504 or a fee or other
charge authorized by Section 55.16(a). The term does not include an
application fee or a fee for participation in a study abroad program
or a field trip or other organized off-campus activity.
Sec. 56.011. RESIDENT UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANCE.
(a) The governing board of each institution of higher education
shall cause to be set aside not less than 20 percent of the total
amount of:
(1) any amount of tuition charged to a resident
undergraduate student under Section 54.0513 in excess of $46 per
semester credit hour;
(2) any student fee first imposed in the 2009 fall
semester or a subsequent semester or term; and
(3) any student fee increase that takes effect in the
2009 fall semester or a subsequent semester or term.
(b) The funds set aside under this section by an institution
shall be used to provide financial assistance for resident
undergraduate students enrolled in the institution.
(c) [(b)] To be eligible for assistance under this section,
a student must establish financial need in accordance with rules
and procedures established by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board. Priority shall be given to students who meet
the coordinating board definition of financial need and whose cost
for tuition and required fees is not met through other non-loan
financial assistance programs.
(d) [(c)] The financial assistance provided under this
section:
(1) may include grants, scholarships, or work-study
programs; and
(2) may not include[,] student loans or[, and] student
loan repayment assistance.
Sec. 56.012. RESIDENT GRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANCE. (a)
The governing board of each institution of higher education shall
cause to be set aside not less than 15 percent of the total amount
of:
(1) any amount of tuition charged to a resident
student enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program under
Section 54.0513 in excess of $46 per semester credit hour;
(2) any student fee first imposed in the 2009 fall
semester or a subsequent semester or term; and
(3) any student fee increase that takes effect in the
2009 fall semester or a subsequent semester or term.
(b) The funds set aside under this section by an institution
shall be used to provide financial assistance for resident students
enrolled in graduate and professional degree programs at the
institution.
(c) [(b)] To be eligible for assistance under this section,
a student must establish financial need in accordance with rules
and procedures established by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board. Priority shall be given to students who meet
the coordinating board definition of financial need and whose cost
for tuition and required fees is not met through other non-loan
financial assistance programs.
(d) [(c)] The financial assistance provided under this
section:
(1) may include grants, scholarships, or work-study
programs; and
(2) may not include[,] student loans or[, and] student
loan repayment assistance.
Sec. 56.013. INFORMATION REGARDING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FUNDED FROM DESIGNATED TUITION AND STUDENT FEES. The Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board shall disseminate to each public or
accredited private high school in this state information regarding
the financial assistance available under this subchapter and shall
include information designed to educate high school students and
the parents of those students on available opportunities and
required preparation with respect to institutions of higher
education. The coordinating board shall recommend a method of
delivery of the information to parents and students under this
section.
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to
student fees and charges charged beginning with the 2009 fall
semester.
SECTION 3. 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.