85R17724 JRJ-D
By: Raney, Shine, Miller, Roberts, Guillen, H.B. No. 846
et al.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the implementation of student financial assistance
programs for veterans and their families.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 56.0065 to read as follows:
Sec. 56.0065. STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR
VETERANS AND FAMILIES; EQUAL PROTECTION. (a) An institution of
higher education may not impose additional fees, obligations, or
burdens concerning payment or registration on a student eligible
for state or federal military related student financial assistance
programs for military veterans or their family members that are not
otherwise required by those programs to be imposed for the purpose
of receiving that assistance.
(b) An institution of higher education must provide for a
student described by Subsection (a) to defer payment of tuition and
fees if the receipt of military related financial assistance
awarded to the student is delayed. The Texas Veterans Commission,
in cooperation with institutions of higher education, shall
prescribe a standard deferment request form for the purposes of
this subsection.
(c) This section does not prohibit an institution of higher
education from requiring a student described by Subsection (a) to
submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA).
SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply
beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.