79R4614 KSD-D

By:  Ellis                                                        S.B. No. 1398



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the eligibility of a student for a tuition equalization 
grant.  
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 61.225, Education Code, is amended to 
read as follows:   
	Sec. 61.225.  ELIGIBILITY [QUALIFICATIONS] FOR GRANT.  (a)  
To be eligible for a tuition equalization grant, a person must:
		(1)  be a Texas resident as defined by the coordinating 
board 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 [for at least one-half 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)  meet the financial need and academic requirements 
for TEXAS grant eligibility under Subchapter M, Chapter 56, 
including requirements relating to a student's high school 
curriculum, performance, or graduation, or other academic 
prerequisites [establish financial need in accordance with 
procedures and regulations of the coordinating board];
		(5)  not be a recipient of any form of athletic 
scholarship; and            
		(6)  have complied with other requirements adopted by 
the coordinating board under this subchapter.
	(b)  For purposes of Subsection (a)(4), a person who has 
previously received a tuition equalization grant is required to 
meet only the requirements for TEXAS grant eligibility applicable 
to a person who has initially qualified for and received a TEXAS 
grant.
	SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act relating to 
the eligibility of a student for a tuition equalization grant apply 
beginning with grants awarded for the 2006-2007 academic year.  
Grants awarded for an academic year before the 2006-2007 academic 
year are governed by the law in effect immediately before the 
effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in 
effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2006.