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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to measures to promote the pursuit of higher education by |
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AmeriCorps participants. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 61.0904 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 61.0904. INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE HIGHER EDUCATION BY |
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AMERICORPS PARTICIPANTS. (a) The board shall develop measures to |
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promote the pursuit of postsecondary education at institutions of |
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higher education by current or former AmeriCorps participants. |
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(b) The board shall coordinate with institutions of higher |
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education to promote the inclusion of information regarding the |
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availability of Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards to AmeriCorps |
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participants in written materials provided to prospective students |
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and in financial aid application or informational materials. |
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(c) Using money available to the board for student financial |
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aid, including any money appropriated for purposes of this section |
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or other money available to the board, including gifts, grants, |
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donations, or federal funds, the board may develop and administer a |
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program of financial assistance or other measures as the board |
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considers appropriate to provide incentives to AmeriCorps |
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participants to pursue postsecondary education at institutions of |
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higher education. The program may include scholarships, grants |
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that match any money received from a Segal AmeriCorps Education |
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Award, or other incentives such as reimbursement to institutions |
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that waive application fees or other costs for applicants or |
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students who are current or former AmeriCorps participants. |
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(d) The board shall examine whether, consistent with |
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applicable academic standards, it is feasible for institutions of |
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higher education to grant academic credit for all or part of a |
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student's AmeriCorps service, and shall make recommendations for |
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that purpose to institutions consistent with the board's findings. |
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SECTION 2. 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, 2009. |