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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) In this section, |
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"private or independent institution of higher education" has the |
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meaning assigned by Section 61.003. |
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(b) An institution of higher education or a private or |
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independent institution of higher education may not impose |
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additional fees, obligations, or burdens concerning payment or |
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registration on a student eligible for state or federal military |
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related student financial assistance programs for military |
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veterans or their family members that are not otherwise required by |
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those programs to be imposed for the purpose of receiving that |
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assistance. |
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(c) An institution of higher education or a private or |
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independent institution of higher education must provide for a |
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student described by Subsection (b) 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 by less than 60 days. The Texas |
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Veterans Commission, in cooperation with institutions of higher |
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education and private or independent institutions of higher |
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education, shall prescribe a standard deferment request form for |
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the purposes of this subsection. |
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(d) This section does not prohibit an institution of higher |
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education or a private or independent institution of higher |
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education from requiring a student described by Subsection (b) 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. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 846 was passed by the House on April |
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13, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 138, Nays 0, 3 present, not |
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
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No. 846 on May 26, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 0, 2 |
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present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 846 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 24, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays |
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0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |