Texas Senate Bill SB1724

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 5/6/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/17/11
• Report Pass: 5/6/11
• Engrossed: 5/17/11
• Refer: 5/19/11

Caption

Relating to conditions on the receipt of tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education.

Impact

The introduction of SB1724 is expected to affect various facets of state law regarding higher education. Institutions will need to adopt policies that comply with the new requirements concerning GPA maintenance and credit hour limits, thereby standardizing the conditions under which tuition exemptions are granted. This will likely lead to increased responsibility placed on students to perform academically in order to maintain their financial benefits, potentially altering student enrollment and retention patterns.

Summary

SB1724 proposes to establish conditions under which students may continue to receive tuition and fee exemptions at public institutions of higher education in Texas. The bill stipulates that, after initially qualifying for such exemptions, a student must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) as determined by the institution's policies and must not exceed a certain number of semester credit hours beyond what is necessary for their degree completion. This initiative aims to ensure that the financial benefits provided to students are linked to their academic performance and progress.

Contention

While the bill aims to promote academic accountability, it may also raise concerns regarding accessibility and support for students facing challenges. Critics might argue that linking financial aid to academic performance could disadvantage those who encounter personal difficulties, such as health issues or family responsibilities. Provisions are included in the bill to allow exemptions under certain hardships, which could be a area of contention in terms of the adequacy and fairness of the criteria used to determine hardship eligibility.