H.B. No. 846
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) In this section,
"private or independent institution of higher education" has the
meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) An institution of higher education or a private or
independent 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.
(c) An institution of higher education or a private or
independent institution of higher education must provide for a
student described by Subsection (b) to defer payment of tuition and
fees if the receipt of military related financial assistance
awarded to the student is delayed by less than 60 days. The Texas
Veterans Commission, in cooperation with institutions of higher
education and private or independent institutions of higher
education, shall prescribe a standard deferment request form for
the purposes of this subsection.
(d) This section does not prohibit an institution of higher
education or a private or independent institution of higher
education from requiring a student described by Subsection (b) 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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 846 was passed by the House on April
13, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 138, Nays 0, 3 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
No. 846 on May 26, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 0, 2
present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 846 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 24, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays
0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor