83R1244 KSD-D
By: Branch H.B. No. 2755
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to authorizing participation in state-funded student
financial assistance programs by certain students of Western
Governors University Texas or similar online nonprofit
universities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 56.009 to read as follows:
Sec. 56.009. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED AT
WESTERN GOVERNORS UNIVERSITY TEXAS OR SIMILAR ONLINE UNIVERSITIES.
(a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board by rule shall
provide for the participation in the state-funded student financial
assistance programs that the coordinating board is authorized under
this title to administer, including a program under this chapter or
under Chapter 52 or 61, by students enrolled:
(1) at Western Governors University Texas, or a
similar nonprofit university operating in accordance with a
memorandum of understanding with this state pursuant to an
executive order issued by the governor and offering exclusively
online or other distance education; and
(2) in a degree program approved by the coordinating
board for purposes of this section and accredited by an appropriate
accrediting organization recognized by the coordinating board.
(b) In the rules adopted under this section, the
coordinating board may modify course load, course completion, or
other eligibility requirements as appropriate for students
enrolled in online or other distance education programs, and may
prorate amounts of aid awarded considering course loads and costs
of enrollment for those students.
SECTION 2. (a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board shall adopt any rules necessary under Section 56.009,
Education Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after
this Act takes effect. For that purpose, the coordinating board may
adopt the initial rules in the manner provided by law for emergency
rules.
(b) The coordinating board shall begin awarding student
financial aid in accordance with Section 56.009, Education Code, as
added by this Act, as soon as practicable after this Act takes
effect.
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, 2013.