78S30342 KEL-D

By:  Noriega                                                      H.B. No. 74 


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to eligibility to receive a TEXAS grant. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 56.304(e), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (e) A person's eligibility for a TEXAS grant ends on the sixth anniversary of the initial award of a TEXAS grant to the person [and the person's enrollment in an eligible institution], unless the person is provided additional time during which the person may receive a TEXAS grant under this subsection. The coordinating board shall adopt rules to provide a person who is otherwise eligible to receive a TEXAS grant additional time during which the person may receive a TEXAS grant in the event of a hardship or other good cause shown that prevents the person from continuing the person's enrollment during the period the person would otherwise have been eligible to receive a TEXAS grant, including a showing of a severe illness or other debilitating condition or that the person is or was responsible for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person. SECTION 2. Subchapter M, Chapter 56, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 56.3042 to read as follows: Sec. 56.3042. EXTENSION OF INITIAL ELIGIBILITY FOR GRANT. A student enrolled at an eligible institution who does not meet the requirements of Section 56.304(a)(5) but who otherwise qualifies for a grant under that section is eligible to receive an initial TEXAS grant if, as determined by the coordinating board, the student: (1) previously applied for and was eligible to receive an initial TEXAS grant under Section 56.304 on enrollment at an eligible institution but did not receive an initial grant solely because of insufficient funding for the grant program; and (2) is enrolled for at least three-fourths of a full course load for an undergraduate student. SECTION 3. Section 56.305(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) After initially qualifying for and receiving a TEXAS grant, a person may continue to receive a TEXAS grant during each semester or term in which the person is enrolled at an eligible institution only if the person: (1) meets financial need requirements as defined by the coordinating board; (2) is enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at an eligible institution; (3) is enrolled for at least three-fourths of a full course load for an undergraduate student, as determined by the coordinating board; (4) makes satisfactory academic progress toward an undergraduate degree or certificate; and (5) complies with any additional nonacademic requirement adopted by the coordinating board. SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act relating to the eligibility of a person to receive a TEXAS grant applies beginning with TEXAS grants awarded for the 2004-2005 academic year. The eligibility of a person to receive a TEXAS grant for an academic year before the 2004-2005 academic year is governed by the applicable law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect February 1, 2004.