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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a uniform deadline for student financial assistance for |
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public institutions of higher education other than public junior |
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colleges. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 56.007 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 56.007. PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR STUDENT FINANCIAL |
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ASSISTANCE. (a) The board by rule shall provide for a uniform |
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priority application deadline for applications for financial |
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assistance for an academic year. |
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(b) The priority deadline may not serve as a determination |
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of eligibility for state financial assistance, but otherwise |
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eligible applicants who apply on or before the deadline shall be |
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given priority consideration for available state financial |
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assistance before other applicants. |
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(c) The board shall consult with financial aid personnel at |
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institutions of higher education in adopting rules providing for |
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the deadline required under this section. |
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(d) This section does not apply to a public junior college |
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as defined by Section 61.003. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by Section 56.007, |
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Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with |
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student financial assistance awarded for the 2013-2014 academic |
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year. State student financial assistance awarded for an academic |
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period before that academic year is covered by the 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 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2013. |