Texas Senate Bill SB884

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the establishment of the Texas Emergency Aid for Public Postsecondary Students (TEAPPS) grant program for students at public institutions of higher education.

Impact

The bill mandates that eligible higher education institutions can provide emergency aid grants of up to $1,000 per student. The total funding appropriated for the program is capped at $2 million per academic year, and institutions are required to match at least 10% of the grant received for emergency aid purposes. Additionally, these institutions must coordinate with community organizations to offer wraparound support services like food, housing, and transportation assistance to students receiving emergency funds.

Summary

Senate Bill 884 establishes the Texas Emergency Aid for Public Postsecondary Students (TEAPPS) grant program, designed to assist students enrolled in public institutions of higher education with emergency financial aid. The program aims to provide timely assistance to students facing unforeseen expenses that may jeopardize their academic progress. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is tasked with administering the program, which includes creating competitive grant application processes for institutions.

Contention

One point of potential contention surrounding SB884 may involve the eligibility criteria for institutions seeking grants, which requires at least 30% of students to either receive a Pell grant or belong to underrepresented minority populations. While advocates argue that this targeted approach will help those most in need, critics may express concerns regarding the limitations it places on equity in access for other deserving students. Furthermore, the necessity for institutions to implement best practices could raise questions about the adequacy of the support structures in place to address the varied needs of public education students.