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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the temporary approval of an institution to participate |
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in the tuition equalization grant program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 61.222, Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 61.222. APPROVED INSTITUTIONS. (a) The coordinating |
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board shall approve only those private or independent colleges or |
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universities that are private or independent institutions of higher |
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education as defined by Section 61.003 or are located within this |
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state and meet the same program standards and accreditation as |
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public institutions of higher education as determined by the board. |
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(b) The coordinating board may temporarily approve a |
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private or independent institution of higher education as defined |
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by Section 61.003 that previously qualified under Subsection (a) |
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but no longer holds the same accreditation as public institutions |
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of higher education. To qualify under this subsection, an |
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institution must be: |
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(1) accredited by an accreditor recognized by the |
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board; |
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(2) actively working toward the same accreditation as |
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public institutions of higher education; |
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(3) participating in the federal financial aid program |
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under 20 U.S.C. Section 1070a; and |
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(4) a "part B institution" as defined by 20 U.S.C. |
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Section 1061(2) and listed in 34 C.F.R. Section 608.2. |
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(c) The coordinating board may grant temporary approval for |
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a period of two years and may renew the approval once. |
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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, 2013. |
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* * * * * |