SRC-SLL C.S.S.B. 1535 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 1535
76R10663 JSA-DBy: West
Higher Education
4/14/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)
DIGEST
Currently, many students enter higher education through public and private
junior colleges and the state's technical colleges. C.S.S.B. 1535 would
create the Texas Rising Star Scholarship Program for public junior college
and technical institute students.
PURPOSE
As proposed, C.S.S.B. 1535 creates the Texas Rising Star Scholarship
Program for public junior college and technical institute students.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
Board in SECTION 1 (Sections 56.353(a) and (b) and Section 56.358(d),
Chapter 56N, Education Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 56, Education Code, by adding Subchapter N, as
follows:
SUBCHAPTER N. TEXAS RISING STAR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Sec. 56.351. DEFINITIONS. Defines "coordinating board"and "eligible
institution."
Sec. 56.352. PROGRAM NAME; PURPOSE. Provides that the student financial
assistance program authorized by this subchapter is known as the Texas
Rising Star Scholarship Program (program), and an individual scholarship
awarded under this subchapter is known as a rising star scholarship
(scholarship). Provides that the purpose of this subchapter is to provide
a grant of money to enable qualified students to attend public junior
colleges and public technical institutes in this state.
Sec. 56.353. ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM. Requires the Texas Higher
Educatoin Coordinating Board (coordinating board) to administer the program
and to adopt any rules necessary to implement the program or this
subchapter. Requires the coordinating board to adopt rules to determine
which eligible persons receive a scholarship and to provide scholarships in
the most efficient manner possible. Prohibits the total amount of rising
star scholarships awarded in a state fiscal from exceeding the amount
available for the program from appropriations, gifts, grants, or other
funds. Requires the coordinating board, in determining who would receive a
scholarship, to give highest priority to awarding scholarships to students
who demonstrate the greatest financial need.
Sec. 56.354. ELIGIBLE PERSON. Requires a person to meet certain criteria
in order to be initially eligible for a rising star scholarship. Provides
that a person is not eligible to receive a scholarship if the person has
been granted a baccalaureate degree. Prohibits a person from receiving a
scholarship for more than 75 semester credit hours or the equivalent.
Sec. 56.355. ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS. Authorizes a person,
after initially qualifying for a scholarship, receive a scholarship during
a subsequent academic year in which the person is enrolled at an eligible
institution only if the person meets certain academic criteria. Prohibits
a person from receiving a scholarship during the next semester or term in
which the person enrolls if the person fails to meet the academic criteria.
Authorizes a person to become eligible to receive a scholarship in a
subsequent semester or term if the person meets certain requirements.
Sec. 56.356. SCHOLARSHIP PERIOD AND USE. Provides that a scholarship is
awarded to an eligible person, except that, for a person who regains
eligibility for a scholarship after the beginning of an academic year, the
coordinating board may grant the person a scholarship for the remainder of
the year. Authorizes a person receiving a scholarship to use the money for
any usual and customary education-related expenses incurred by the person,
including payment for certain items. Prohibits the coordinating board or
an eligible institution from requiring a person to use the money to pay
tuition and fees.
Sec. 56.357. SCHOLARSHIP AMOUNT. Provides that the amount of a
scholarship is determined by the coordinating board. Authorizes the amount
of a scholarship to be reduced by any gift aid the person receives from
another source.
Sec. 56.358. FUNDING. Provides that the program is funded by a
combination of local funds and state appropriations as provided by this
section. Sets forth provisions regarding funding of the program, including
the solicitation and acceptance of gifts, grants, and donations, and
procedures for obtaining state funds. Authorizes state funds set aside for
scholarships at an eligible institution under this section for a fiscal
year to be used to provide those scholarships only to the extent the
institution provides at least twice that amount for scholarships in the
same fiscal year from gifts, grants, and donations. Requires the
coordinating board to establish procedures for the administration of this
section, including procedures to ensure that state funds appropriated for
the program are used exclusively to provide scholarships in accordance with
this subchapter.
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2000-2001
fiscal year. Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to
establish procedures for the administration of Chapter 56N, Education Code,
not later than January 1, 2000.
SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
Effective date: upon passage.
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES
SECTION 1.
Changes existing Subchapter M to Subchapter N and renumbers existing
sections.
Amends Section 56.351, Education Code, to define "coordinating board."
Amends Section 56.352, Education Code, to add reference to public
technical institutes.
Amends Section 56.353, Education Code, to set forth requirements of the
coordinating board for the administration of the program. Deletes text
regarding the governing board.
Amends Section 56.355, Education Code, to authorize a person to receive a
scholarship during a subsequent academic year in which the person is
enrolled at an eligible institution. Makes conforming changes.
Amends Section 56.356, Education Code, to add new heading. Authorizes the
coordinating board to grant the person a scholarship for the remainder of
the academic year except that, for a person who regains eligibility for a
scholarship under Section 56.355(b) after the beginning of an academic
year, a scholarship is awarded to an eligible person for the remainder of
the academic year. Prohibits the coordinating board or an eligible
institution from requiring a person to use the money to pay tuition and
fees. Authorize the person to use the scholarship money for certain items.
Amends Section 56.357, Education Code, to provide that the amount of a
scholarship is determined by the coordinating board. Makes conforming
changes.
Amends Section 58.358, Education Code, to require the coordinating board,
rather than the comptroller, to establish procedures for the administration
of this section, including procedures to ensure that state funds
appropriated for the program are used exclusively to provide scholarships
in accordance with this subchapter. Deletes text regarding the recovery of
funds not used in accordance with this subchapter. Makes conforming
changes.
SECTION 2.
Amends the Subsection (b) to require the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board, rather than the comptroller, to establish procedures
for the administration of Chapter 56N, rather than Section 56.308,
Education Code, not later than January 1, 2000.