Sets eligibility rules for tuition equalization grants and lets the coordinating board adopt hardship or good-cause exceptions.
Sec. 61.2251. ELIGIBILITY FOR GRANT; PERSONS INITIALLY AWARDED GRANTS DURING OR AFTER 2005-2006 ACADEMIC YEAR. (a) This section does not apply to a person who initially received a tuition equalization grant before the 2005-2006 academic year. (b) To be eligible for a tuition equalization grant in the first academic year in which the person receives the grant, a person must: (1) be a Texas resident as defined under Subchapter B, Chapter 54, and meet, at a minimum, the resident requirements defined by law for Texas resident tuition in fully state-supported institutions of higher education; (2) be enrolled in at least three-fourths of a full course load conforming to an individual degree plan in an approved college or university; (3) be required to pay more tuition than is required at a public college or university and be charged no less than the regular tuition required of all students enrolled at the institution; (4) establish financial need in accordance with procedures and regulations of the coordinating board; (5) not be a recipient of any form of athletic scholarship while receiving a tuition equalization grant; (6) make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate as determined by the institution at which the person is enrolled; and (7) have complied with other requirements adopted by the coordinating board under this subchapter. (c) After qualifying for a tuition equalization grant under Subsection (b), a person may receive a tuition equalization grant in a subsequent academic year in which the person is enrolled at an approved institution only if the person: (1) meets the requirements of Subsection (b), including, as of the end of the full academic year in which the person initially receives a tuition equalization grant, making satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate as determined by the institution at which the person is enrolled; (2) as of the end of each subsequent academic year in which the person receives a tuition equalization grant, has completed at least: (A) 24 semester credit hours in the person's most recent full academic year, if the person is enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program; or (B) 18 semester credit hours in the person's most recent full academic year, if the person is enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program; (3) has earned an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent on coursework previously attempted at public or private institutions of higher education; and (4) has completed at least 75 percent of the semester credit hours attempted in the person's most recent full academic year. (d) Notwithstanding Subsections (b) and (c), a person's eligibility for a tuition equalization grant ends on: (1) the fifth anniversary of the initial award of a tuition equalization grant to the person, if the person is enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program of four years or less; or (2) the sixth anniversary of the initial award of a tuition equalization grant to the person, if the person is enrolled in an undergraduate degree program of more than four years. (e) The coordinating board shall adopt rules to allow a person who is otherwise eligible to receive a tuition equalization grant, in the event of a hardship or for other good cause shown, to receive a tuition equalization grant if the person does not: (1) make satisfactory academic progress as required under Subsection (b)(6) or (c)(1); (2) complete the semester credit hours required by Subsection (c)(2) or (4); (3) maintain the grade point average required by Subsection (c)(3); or (4) complete the person's certificate or degree program within the period prescribed by Subsection (d). Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1230 (H.B. 1172), Sec. 15, eff. June 18, 2005. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 200 (H.B. 4476), Sec. 1, eff. May 27, 2009. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 824 (H.B. 2907), Sec. 3, eff. June 17, 2011.