BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 528
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently under Chapter 54 (Tuition and Fees) of the Texas Education Code, junior college students are not allowed to pay tuition by an installment plan for summer school sessions of less than twelve weeks. This crease an undue hardship on low-income students because in many instances, these students do not have access to other forms of financial assistance.
As proposed, S.B. 528 allows governing boards of public junior colleges the ability to provide tuition installment payment plans for summer school sessions of less than twelve weeks. This bill provides low-income college students an opportunity to enroll in short summer terms and pay their tuition in installments.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Sections 54.007(b) and (c), Education Code, as follows:
(b) Authorizes the governing board of each institution of higher education to permit the payment of tuition and fees during a summer term, rather than for a 12-week and 16-week summer term, through the following alternatives:
(1) Sets forth a payment schedule for tuition and fees for a student enrolled for a summer term of 12 weeks or longer that is not covered by subdivision (2), rather than for a 12-week term.
(2) Sets forth a payment schedule for tuition and fees for a student enrolled for a summer term of 16 weeks or longer.
(3) Sets forth a payment schedule for tuition and fees for a student enrolled for a summer term not covered by Subdivision (1) or (2) in a public junior college.
(c) Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.