BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1193
87R9296 MM-D	By: Hughes
	Higher Education
	4/19/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Flat-rate tuition programs offer a set tuition price for variable course loads, thereby encouraging students to finish their degree in a more expeditious manner. Students who take more credit hours per semester pay less on a per hour basis, and students who take fewer credit hours pay more.

Flat-rate tuition programs may not always be understood by students and their families, however, especially if the college or university offering the plan does not adequately explain the pricing mechanism. When the cost-savings incentive is not clear, students can enroll in too few hours and bear unanticipated costs. S.B. 1193 would require public institutions of higher education to explain in registration and financial aid correspondence the effect of flat-rate tuition programs on the cost per credit hour.

As proposed, S.B. 1193 amends current law relating to providing information to undergraduate students regarding a fixed tuition rate provided by general academic teaching institutions.

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 Section 54.016, Education Code, by adding Subsection (d), as follows:

(d) Requires a general academic teaching institution that offers a fixed tuition rate program under Section 54.016 (Fixed Tuition Rate Program for Certain Transfer Students at General Academic Teaching Institutions) to provide information explaining the effect of the program on the calculation of a student's cost per credit hour, including the institution's current fixed tuition rate, and clearly describing the amount� of tuition a student would pay for varying course loads covered by the program:

(1) to each transferring undergraduate student, at the time the student is offered the opportunity to participate in the institution's fixed tuition rate program;

(2) for a student enrolled in the institution's fixed tuition rate program, in materials or correspondence provided to� the student each time the student registers for a semester or other term and in each tuition billing statement;

(3) on the institution's Internet website; and

(4) in any financial aid information provided to students.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 54.017, Education Code, by adding Subsection (h), as follows:

(h) Requires an institution to which Section 54.017 (Fixed Tuition Price Plan for Undergraduate Students at Certain General Academic Teaching Institutions) applies to provide information explaining the effect of the fixed tuition price plan on the calculation of a student's cost per credit hour, including the institution's current fixed tuition rate, and clearly describing the amount of tuition a student would pay for varying course loads covered by the plan:

(1) to each entering undergraduate student, at the time the student is offered the opportunity to participate in the institution's fixed tuition price plan;

(2) for a student enrolled in the institution's fixed tuition price plan, in materials or correspondence provided to the student each time the student registers for a semester or other term and in each tuition billing statement;

(3) on the institution's Internet website; and

(4) in any financial aid information provided to students.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2021.