BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 846
85R17724 JRJ-D	By: Raney et al. (Men�ndez)
	Veteran Affairs & Border Security
	5/1/2017
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Interested parties point out that certain students in Texas who have attempted to use financial assistance for veterans and their families have faced additional hurdles in using that assistance to pay for college courses. H.B. 846 seeks to help these students by implementing assistance programs for veterans and their families.

 

H.B. 846 amends current law relating to the implementation of student financial assistance programs for veterans and their families.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, by adding Section 56.0065, as follows:

 

Sec. 56.0065. STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS AND FAMILIES; EQUAL PROTECTION. (a) Prohibits an institution of higher education (IHE) from imposing additional fees, obligations, or burdens concerning payment or registration on a student eligible for state or federal military related student financial assistance programs for military veterans or their family members that are not otherwise required by those programs to be imposed for the purpose of receiving that assistance.

 

(b) Requires an IHE to provide for a student described by Subsection (a) to defer payment of tuition and fees if the receipt of military related financial assistance awarded to the student is delayed. Requires the Texas Veterans Commission, in cooperation with IHEs to prescribe a standard deferment request form for the purposes of this subsection.

 

(c) Provides that this section does not prohibit an IHE from requiring a student described by Subsection (a) to submit a free application for federal application for federal student aid (FAFSA).

 

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2017.