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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the implementation of student financial assistance |
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programs for veterans and their families. |
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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 56.0065 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 56.0065. STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR |
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VETERANS AND FAMILIES; EQUAL PROTECTION. (a) An institution of |
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higher education may not impose additional fees, obligations, or |
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burdens concerning payment or registration on a student eligible |
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for state or federal military related student financial assistance |
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programs for military veterans or their family members that are not |
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otherwise required by those programs to be imposed for the purpose |
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of receiving that assistance. |
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(b) An institution of higher education must provide for a |
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student described by Subsection (a) to defer payment of tuition and |
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fees if the receipt of military related financial assistance |
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awarded to the student is delayed. The Texas Veterans Commission, |
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in cooperation with institutions of higher education, shall |
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prescribe a standard deferment request form for the purposes of |
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this subsection. |
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(c) This section does not prohibit an institution of higher |
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education from requiring a student described by Subsection (a) to |
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submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA). |
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SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply |
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beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |