85R17724 JRJ-D
 
  By: Raney, Shine, Miller, Roberts, Guillen, H.B. No. 846
      et al.
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the implementation of student financial assistance
  programs for veterans and their families.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 56.0065 to read as follows:
         Sec. 56.0065.  STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FOR
  VETERANS AND FAMILIES; EQUAL PROTECTION.  (a)  An institution of
  higher education may not impose 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)  An institution of higher education must 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. The Texas Veterans Commission,
  in cooperation with institutions of higher education, shall
  prescribe a standard deferment request form for the purposes of
  this subsection.
         (c)  This section does not prohibit an institution of higher
  education from requiring a student described by Subsection (a) to
  submit a free application for federal student aid (FAFSA).
         SECTION 2.  The changes in law made by this Act apply
  beginning with the 2017-2018 academic year.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.