86R11909 SOS-D
By: Dutton H.B. No. 1954
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to an exemption from or refund of tuition and fees for
lower-division students enrolled in a general academic teaching
institution who maintain a high grade point average.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 54.220 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.220. EXEMPTION FOR RESIDENT LOWER-DIVISION
STUDENTS AT GENERAL ACADEMIC TEACHING INSTITUTIONS FOR MAINTAINING
HIGH ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. (a) In this section, "general academic
teaching institution" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.
(b) An entering freshman student enrolled in a general
academic teaching institution is entitled to a refund of the
tuition and required fees paid by the student under this chapter for
the first semester or term for which the student enrolls at that
institution if the student:
(1) graduated from a private high school, including a
home school, or a public high school in this state;
(2) is classified as a Texas resident under Subchapter
B; and
(3) for all courses attempted that initial semester or
term earns a grade point average of at least 3.5 on a four-point
scale or the equivalent.
(c) To receive a refund under Subsection (b), the student
must apply to the general academic teaching institution for the
refund in the manner required by the institution not later than the
first anniversary of the last class day of the semester or term for
which the student seeks a refund.
(d) A student enrolled in a general academic teaching
institution is exempt from the payment of tuition and required fees
authorized by this chapter for a semester or term of the student's
first two academic years, other than a semester or term covered by
Subsection (b), at that institution if the student:
(1) graduated from a private high school, including a
home school, or a public high school in this state;
(2) is classified as a Texas resident under Subchapter
B; and
(3) maintains an overall grade point average of at
least 3.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent for all prior
course work attempted at the institution.
(e) A student receiving an exemption under this section for
one or more semesters or terms may not enroll for the student's
third academic year at the general academic teaching institution
until the student passes an examination selected and administered
by the institution.
(f) A general academic teaching institution shall fund
tuition and fee refunds and exemptions under this section from
available institutional funds or from available local funds or
other amounts appropriated to the institution, without regard to
whether those appropriations are specifically designated for this
purpose.
(g) A student may not receive a refund or exemption under
this section for a semester or term that begins after the 2038-2039
academic year. This section expires September 1, 2039.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with tuition and fees
charged for the 2019 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, 2019.