82R7430 KEL-D
By: Branch H.B. No. 3515
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (T-STEM) Challenge Scholarship program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
Subchapter GG to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER GG. TEXAS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND
MATHEMATICS (T-STEM) CHALLENGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Sec. 61.9791. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "STEM
program" means a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
program.
Sec. 61.9792. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. (a) Subject to
available funding, the board may establish and administer, in
accordance with this subchapter and board rules, the Texas
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (T-STEM)
Challenge Scholarship program under which the board provides a
scholarship to a student who meets the eligibility criteria
prescribed by Section 61.9793.
(b) The purpose of the scholarship program under this
section is to encourage students to enroll in STEM programs
administered by lower-division postsecondary institutions in
partnership with business and industry to address local employment
needs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
fields.
Sec. 61.9793. ELIGIBLE STUDENT. (a) To receive an initial
scholarship under this subchapter, a student must:
(1) graduate from high school with a grade point
average of at least 3.0 on a four-point scale in mathematics and
science courses;
(2) enroll in a STEM program at an eligible
institution; and
(3) agree to work not more than 15 hours a week for a
business that participates in the STEM program in partnership with
the eligible institution.
(b) To continue to qualify for a scholarship under this
subchapter, a student must:
(1) remain enrolled in a STEM program at an eligible
institution;
(2) maintain an overall grade point average of at
least 3.0 on a four-point scale;
(3) complete at least 80 percent of all semester
credit hours attempted for each semester;
(4) complete at least 30 semester credit hours in each
academic year; and
(5) work not more than 15 hours a week for a business
that participates in the STEM program in partnership with the
eligible institution.
Sec. 61.9794. ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION. (a) To qualify as an
eligible institution under this subchapter, an institution must:
(1) be an accredited public or private two-year
institution of higher education;
(2) admit at least 50 students into a STEM program each
academic year; and
(3) develop partnerships with business and industry
to:
(A) identify local employment needs in Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields; and
(B) provide part-time employment for students
enrolled in a STEM program.
(b) To maintain eligibility under this subchapter, an
institution must demonstrate to the board that at least 70 percent
of the institution's T-STEM Challenge Scholarship graduates become
employed by businesses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Mathematics (STEM) fields within three months after graduation.
Sec. 61.9795. LIMITATION. The board by rule may limit the
number of academic terms for which an eligible student may receive a
scholarship awarded under this subchapter.
Sec. 61.9796. FUNDING. The board may use any available
revenue, including legislative appropriations, and may solicit and
accept gifts, grants, and donations for the purposes of this
subchapter.
SECTION 2. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
shall adopt rules to implement Subchapter GG, Chapter 61, Education
Code, as added by this Act, not later than the 90th day after the
date the coordinating board first receives sufficient funding for
the purposes of that subchapter.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.