85R6761 KEL-D
By: Walle H.B. No. 4251
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an exemption from tuition and required fees at public
institutions of higher education for undergraduate students from
low-income families.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 54.2003 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.2003. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME
FAMILIES. (a) In this section:
(1) "Family income" means the combined gross income
for purposes of federal income tax of:
(A) the student and the student's parents, if the
student is not married; or
(B) the student, the student's parents, and the
student's spouse, if the student is married.
(2) "Federal poverty level" is determined according to
the federal poverty guidelines established by the United States
Department of Health and Human Services.
(3) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) For the 2021-2022 academic year and for each subsequent
academic year, an undergraduate student enrolled at an institution
of higher education is exempt from the payment of tuition and
required fees authorized by this chapter for a term or semester if
the student:
(1) on the day the semester or term begins:
(A) is less than 25 years of age; and
(B) is a resident of this state who has resided in
this state continuously for the preceding 12 months; and
(2) for the preceding calendar year, had a family
income of less than 400 percent of the applicable federal poverty
level.
(b-1) For the 2018-2019, 2019-2020, and 2020-2021 academic
years, an undergraduate student enrolled at an institution of
higher education is exempt from the payment of tuition and required
fees authorized by this chapter for a term or semester if the
student:
(1) on the day the semester or term begins:
(A) is less than 25 years of age; and
(B) is a resident of this state who has resided in
this state continuously for the preceding 12 months; and
(2) for the preceding calendar year, had a family
income of less than 300 percent of the applicable federal poverty
level.
(b-2) Subsection (b-1) and this subsection expire September
1, 2021.
(c) A student may not receive an exemption under this
section for more than 12 semesters or summer terms.
(d) A student is not eligible for an exemption under this
section if the student's tuition and required fees for the semester
or term are or will be paid directly to the institution of higher
education by the United States or by a person other than the student
or the student's family or guardian from funds other than funds of
the student or the student's family or guardian.
(e) To receive an exemption under this section, a student
must apply for the exemption in the manner provided by the
institution in which the student registers. The governing board of
the institution shall require an applicant to submit satisfactory
evidence that the applicant is eligible for the exemption.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with tuition and
required fees imposed for the 2018 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, 2017.