83R9667 KEL-D

By: Villarreal H.B. No. 1868

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to conditioning certain TEXAS grant awards on a grant recipient's participation in a student engagement program.

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

SECTION 1. Section 56.301, Education Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (2-a) to read as follows:

(2-a) "General academic teaching institution" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003.

SECTION 2. Section 56.305(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) After initially qualifying for a TEXAS grant, a person may continue to receive a TEXAS grant during each semester or term in which the person is enrolled at an eligible institution only if the person:

(1) meets financial need requirements as defined by the coordinating board;

(2) is enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at an eligible institution;

(3) is enrolled for at least three-fourths of a full course load for an undergraduate student, as determined by the coordinating board;

(4) makes satisfactory academic progress toward an undergraduate degree or certificate;

(5) if applicable under Section 56.3055, participates in a student engagement program as required by that section; and

(6) [(5)] complies with any additional nonacademic requirement adopted by the coordinating board.

SECTION 3. Subchapter M, Chapter 56, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 56.3055 to read as follows:

Sec. 56.3055. ADDITIONAL CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT: STUDENT ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM. (a) Each person who enrolls as an entering undergraduate student at a general academic teaching institution and receives a TEXAS grant from that institution must participate in a student engagement program sponsored by the institution and selected for the person by the institution. Subject to Subsection (e), the person must complete the program during the person's first academic year at the institution.

(b) Before each academic year begins, a general academic teaching institution awarding TEXAS grants shall:

(1) develop one or more student engagement programs designed to increase student persistence, retention, and graduation rates; and

(2) determine the degree of program participation necessary for a grant recipient to satisfy Subsection (a) and the manner in which to document that participation.

(c) Not later than the seventh class day of the fall semester, the institution shall communicate to each applicable grant recipient information regarding the program or programs developed by the institution under Subsection (b) and the manner in which the recipient may satisfy the requirements of this section.

(d) A student engagement program may be operated through any appropriate means, including:

(1) mentoring activity;

(2) a small group seminar or other learning community; or

(3) an undergraduate research project.

(e) The coordinating board may adopt rules to administer this section, including a rule to allow a person to receive a TEXAS grant without participating in a student engagement program or after delaying that participation if the person is able to show hardship or other good cause that affects the person's ability to satisfy the requirements of this section. For purposes of this subsection, hardship or other good cause includes a severe illness or other debilitating condition, responsibility for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person, or active duty or other service in the United States armed forces.

(f) In adopting rules under Subsection (e), the coordinating board shall appoint and consult with an advisory committee composed of institutional business officers, financial aid administrators, recognized student engagement experts, student engagement program administrators, and undergraduate students.

(g) This section does not apply to a person who first receives a TEXAS grant for a semester or term before the 2014 fall semester.

(h) Not later than December 31, 2018, each general academic teaching institution shall submit to the coordinating board a report that contains the following:

(1) the rate of participation of the institution's TEXAS grant recipients in student engagement programs;

(2) persistence, retention, and graduation rates for its TEXAS grant recipients, as compared to those rates for other students at the institution with similar characteristics, such as college readiness, income, or racial or ethnic background; and

(3) the institution's plans for improving persistence, retention, and graduation rates for its TEXAS grant recipients.

(i) Each general academic teaching institution shall attempt to consolidate the report required by Subsection (h) with its other relevant reports to the coordinating board regarding the TEXAS grant program.

(j) Subsections (g), (h), and (i) and this subsection expire December 31, 2019.

SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act to Subchapter M, Chapter 56, Education Code, applies beginning with grants awarded for the 2014-2015 academic year, but does not affect the amount of or entitlement to any grant awarded before the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 5. 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, 2013.