By: Averitt S.B. No. 1427

(In the Senate - Filed March 8, 2007; March 20, 2007, read first time and referred to Subcommittee on Higher Education; April 12, 2007, reported favorably from Committee on Education by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; April 12, 2007, sent to printer.)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to participation by private or independent institutions of higher education in the tuition equalization grant program.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 61.222, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 61.222. APPROVED COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES [INSTITUTIONS]. An approved college [The coordinating board shall approve only those private or independent colleges] or university for purposes of this subchapter is a [universities that are] private or independent institution [institutions] of higher education as defined by Section 61.003 [or are located within this state and meet the same program standards and accreditation as public institutions of higher education as determined by the board].

SECTION 2. Subsection (c), Section 61.2251, Education Code, as added by Chapter 1230, Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, is amended to read as follows:

(c) After qualifying for a tuition equalization grant under Subsection (b), a person may receive a tuition equalization grant in a subsequent academic year in which the person is enrolled at an approved college or university [institution] only if the person:

(1) meets the requirements of Subsection (b);

(2) completed at least:

(A) 24 semester credit hours in the person's most recent academic year, if the person is enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program; or

(B) 18 semester credit hours in the person's most recent academic year, if the person is enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program; and

(3) has earned an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent on coursework previously attempted at public or private institutions of higher education.

SECTION 3. Subsection (a), Section 61.227, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) On receipt of a certification of the amount of financial need from an approved college or university [institution], the coordinating board shall certify the amount of the tuition equalization grant based on financial need but not to exceed a grant amount of more than that specified in the appropriation by the legislature, or more than the difference between the tuition at the private institution attended and the tuition at public colleges and universities.

SECTION 4. Subsection (a), Section 61.756, Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The board, in consultation with the advisory committee appointed under Section 61.757, shall determine the maximum amount of any scholarship awarded under this subchapter. The scholarship may be spent by the recipient on the expenses for tuition, fees, books, supplies, and living expenses incurred by the student in connection with the student's fifth year of an accounting program. Scholarships shall be made available to eligible students attending:

(1) any institution of higher education; or

(2) any nonprofit independent institution that is an approved college or university for purposes of the tuition equalization grant program under Subchapter F [by the board under Section 61.222].

SECTION 5. Subdivision (3), Section 487.101, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(3) "Postsecondary educational institution" means:

(A) an institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;

(B) a nonprofit, independent institution that is an approved college or university for purposes of the tuition equalization grant program under Subchapter F, Chapter 61 [under Section 61.222], Education Code; or

(C) a nonprofit, health-related school or program accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association, the Board of Nurse Examiners, or, in the case of allied health, an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.

SECTION 6. Subdivision (2), Section 487.151, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(2) "Postsecondary educational institution" means:

(A) an institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code;

(B) a nonprofit, independent institution that is an approved college or university for purposes of the tuition equalization grant program under Subchapter F, Chapter 61 [under Section 61.222], Education Code; or

(C) a nonprofit, health-related school or program accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, the American Osteopathic Association, the Board of Nurse Examiners, or, in the case of allied health, an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.

SECTION 7. The change in law made by this Act applies beginning with tuition equalization grants awarded for the 2008 fall semester. Grants awarded for a semester or term before the 2008 fall semester are covered 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 8. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.

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