Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 3138 amends the Education Code to allow college and university governing boards to reduce tuition charges below the minimum rate prescribed by statute as part of a plan to increase the average semester course load of students at their respective schools or to improve the schools' retention and graduation rates. The act conditions the reduction in tuition for certain students on the governing board's determination that those students are making satisfactory academic progress and are undertaking at least 15 hours of semester credit for the semester in which the lower tuition is offered. A board may reduce tuition by a fixed dollar amount, a percentage amount, or other manner and may prorate both tuition and fees. The act sets a maximum amount for the tuition reduction.

            House Bill 3138 applies beginning with tuition and fees charged for the 1999 fall semester.