AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

C.S.H.B. 3577 requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in collaboration with institutions of higher education and financial aid experts, to set a single statewide financial aid deadline for all general academic teaching institutions.

 

Currently, there is no law regarding a statewide financial aid deadline.  Some institutions may have their deadlines set in March, others in May, and others in June.  This creates confusion when students have to meet different deadlines when applying to different institutions.  Additionally, a single deadline will help the state support "financial aid weekends" and similar programs designed to inform students and parents of financial aid deadlines, priorities, forms etc.

 

C.S.H.B. 3577 amends current law relating to priority consideration and eligibility for Texas Educational Opportunity Grants, TEXAS grants,  and other state financial aid.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 (Section 56.007, Education Code) of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, by adding Section 56.007, as follows:

 

Sec.  56.007.  PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.  (a)  Requires the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) by rule to provide for a uniform priority application deadline for applications for financial assistance for an academic year.

 

(b) Prohibits the priority deadline from serving as a determination of eligibility for state financial assistance, but requires that otherwise eligible applicants who apply on or before the deadline be given priority consideration for available state financial assistance before other applicants.

 

(c) Requires THECB to consult with financial aid personnel at institutions of higher education in adopting rules providing for the deadline required under this section.

 

(d) Provides that this section only applies to a general academic teaching institution as defined by Section 61.003 (Definitions).

 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 56.404(e), Education Code, as follows:

 

(e) Prohibits a person from receiving a grant under this subchapter and a TEXAS grant, rather than prohibits a person from receiving a grant under this subchapter if the person is eligible for a TEXAS grant, under Subchapter M (Toward Excellence, Access, & Success (Texas) Grant Program) for the same semester or other term, regardless of whether the person is otherwise eligible for both grants during that semester or term.  Entitles a person who but for this subsection would be awarded both a grant under this subchapter and a TEXAS grant for the same semester or other terms to receive only the grant of the greater amount.

 

SECTION 3.  (a)  Provides that the change in law made by Section 56.007, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with student financial assistance awarded for the 2013-2014 academic year, prospective.

 

(b) Provides that the change in law made by this Act relating to the eligibility of a student for a Texas Educational Opportunity grant or a TEXAS grant applies beginning with grants awarded for the 2011-2012 academic year, prospective.

 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.