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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to participation by private or independent institutions of |
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higher education in the tuition equalization grant program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 61.222, Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 61.222. APPROVED COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES |
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[INSTITUTIONS]. An approved college [The coordinating board shall
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approve only those private or independent colleges] or university |
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for purposes of this subchapter is a [universities that are] |
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private or independent institution [institutions] of higher |
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education as defined by Section 61.003 [or are located within this
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state and meet the same program standards and accreditation as
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public institutions of higher education as determined by the
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board]. |
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SECTION 2. Section 61.2251(c), Education Code, as added by |
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Chapter 1230, Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(c) After qualifying for a tuition equalization grant under |
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Subsection (b), a person may receive a tuition equalization grant |
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in a subsequent academic year in which the person is enrolled at an |
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approved college or university [institution] only if the person: |
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(1) meets the requirements of Subsection (b); |
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(2) completed at least: |
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(A) 24 semester credit hours in the person's most |
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recent academic year, if the person is enrolled in an undergraduate |
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degree or certificate program; or |
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(B) 18 semester credit hours in the person's most |
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recent academic year, if the person is enrolled in a graduate or |
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professional degree program; and |
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(3) has earned an overall grade point average of at |
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least 2.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent on coursework |
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previously attempted at public or private institutions of higher |
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education. |
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SECTION 3. Section 61.227(a), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) On receipt of a certification of the amount of financial |
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need from an approved college or university [institution], the |
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coordinating board shall certify the amount of the tuition |
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equalization grant based on financial need but not to exceed a grant |
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amount of more than that specified in the appropriation by the |
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legislature, or more than the difference between the tuition at the |
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private institution attended and the tuition at public colleges and |
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universities. |
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SECTION 4. Section 61.756(a), Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) The board, in consultation with the advisory committee |
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appointed under Section 61.757, shall determine the maximum amount |
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of any scholarship awarded under this subchapter. The scholarship |
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may be spent by the recipient on the expenses for tuition, fees, |
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books, supplies, and living expenses incurred by the student in |
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connection with the student's fifth year of an accounting program. |
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Scholarships shall be made available to eligible students |
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attending: |
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(1) any institution of higher education; or |
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(2) any nonprofit independent institution that is an |
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approved college or university for purposes of the tuition |
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equalization grant program under Subchapter F [by the board under
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Section 61.222]. |
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SECTION 5. Section 487.101(3), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(3) "Postsecondary educational institution" means: |
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(A) an institution of higher education, as |
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defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; |
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(B) a nonprofit, independent institution that is |
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an approved college or university for purposes of the tuition |
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equalization grant program under Subchapter F, Chapter 61 [under
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Section 61.222], Education Code; or |
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(C) a nonprofit, health-related school or |
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program accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and |
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Schools, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the American |
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Osteopathic Association, the Board of Nurse Examiners, or, in the |
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case of allied health, an accrediting body recognized by the United |
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States Department of Education. |
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SECTION 6. Section 487.151(2), Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(2) "Postsecondary educational institution" means: |
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(A) an institution of higher education, as |
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defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; |
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(B) a nonprofit, independent institution that is |
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an approved college or university for purposes of the tuition |
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equalization grant program under Subchapter F, Chapter 61 [under
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Section 61.222], Education Code; or |
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(C) a nonprofit, health-related school or |
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program accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and |
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Schools, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the American |
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Osteopathic Association, the Board of Nurse Examiners, or, in the |
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case of allied health, an accrediting body recognized by the United |
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States Department of Education. |
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SECTION 7. The change in law made by this Act applies |
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beginning with tuition equalization grants awarded for the 2008 |
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fall semester. Grants awarded for a semester or term before the |
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2008 fall semester are covered by the applicable law in effect |
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immediately before the effective date of this Act, and the former |
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law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 8. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |