82R7430 KEL-D
 
  By: Branch H.B. No. 3515
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering, and
  Mathematics (T-STEM) Challenge Scholarship program.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding
  Subchapter GG to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER GG.  TEXAS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND
  MATHEMATICS (T-STEM) CHALLENGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
         Sec. 61.9791.  DEFINITION.  In this subchapter, "STEM
  program" means a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
  program.
         Sec. 61.9792.  SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. (a)  Subject to
  available funding, the board may establish and administer, in
  accordance with this subchapter and board rules, the Texas
  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (T-STEM)
  Challenge Scholarship program under which the board provides a
  scholarship to a student who meets the eligibility criteria
  prescribed by Section 61.9793.
         (b)  The purpose of the scholarship program under this
  section is to encourage students to enroll in STEM programs
  administered by lower-division postsecondary institutions in
  partnership with business and industry to address local employment
  needs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)
  fields.
         Sec. 61.9793.  ELIGIBLE STUDENT. (a)  To receive an initial
  scholarship under this subchapter, a student must:
               (1)  graduate from high school with a grade point
  average of at least 3.0 on a four-point scale in mathematics and
  science courses;
               (2)  enroll in a STEM program at an eligible
  institution; and
               (3)  agree to work not more than 15 hours a week for a
  business that participates in the STEM program in partnership with
  the eligible institution.
         (b)  To continue to qualify for a scholarship under this
  subchapter, a student must:
               (1)  remain enrolled in a STEM program at an eligible
  institution;
               (2)  maintain an overall grade point average of at
  least 3.0 on a four-point scale;
               (3)  complete at least 80 percent of all semester
  credit hours attempted for each semester;
               (4)  complete at least 30 semester credit hours in each
  academic year; and
               (5)  work not more than 15 hours a week for a business
  that participates in the STEM program in partnership with the
  eligible institution.
         Sec. 61.9794.  ELIGIBLE INSTITUTION. (a)  To qualify as an
  eligible institution under this subchapter, an institution must:
               (1)  be an accredited public or private two-year
  institution of higher education;
               (2)  admit at least 50 students into a STEM program each
  academic year; and
               (3)  develop partnerships with business and industry
  to:
                     (A)  identify local employment needs in Science,
  Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields; and
                     (B)  provide part-time employment for students
  enrolled in a STEM program.
         (b)  To maintain eligibility under this subchapter, an
  institution must demonstrate to the board that at least 70 percent
  of the institution's T-STEM Challenge Scholarship graduates become
  employed by businesses in Science, Technology, Engineering, and
  Mathematics (STEM) fields within three months after graduation.
         Sec. 61.9795.  LIMITATION. The board by rule may limit the
  number of academic terms for which an eligible student may receive a
  scholarship awarded under this subchapter.
         Sec. 61.9796.  FUNDING.  The board may use any available
  revenue, including legislative appropriations, and may solicit and
  accept gifts, grants, and donations for the purposes of this
  subchapter.
         SECTION 2.  The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
  shall adopt rules to implement Subchapter GG, Chapter 61, Education
  Code, as added by this Act, not later than the 90th day after the
  date the coordinating board first receives sufficient funding for
  the purposes of that subchapter.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.