By: Patrick H.B. No. 644
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to common requirements applicable to waivers, exemptions,
and other tuition or fee benefits.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 54.201 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.201. COMMON REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO WAIVERS,
EXEMPTIONS, AND OTHER TUITION OR FEE BENEFITS. (a) This section
applies to any waiver, exemption, or other tuition or fee benefit
provided by this subchapter or other law. This section applies
notwithstanding conflicting requirements of other law, except that
additional or stricter requirements provided by a specific statute
apply in addition to the minimum requirements provided by this
section.
(b) To be eligible for a waiver, exemption, or other tuition
or fee benefit, a person must:
(1) first exhaust any available federal grant,
scholarship, or financial aid other than a loan; and
(2) make satisfactory academic progress toward a
degree or certificate at the institution, as determined by the
institution.
(c) A waiver, exemption, or other tuition or fee benefit
does not apply to a graduate or continuing education program that is
self-funded.
(d) A waiver, exemption, or other tuition or fee benefit
applies to a maximum of eight semesters.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
the 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˙.