87R2258 KJE-D

By: Menéndez S.B. No. 101

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the Texas Emergency Aid for Public Postsecondary Students (TEAPPS) grant program for students at public institutions of higher education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter MM to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER MM. TEXAS EMERGENCY AID FOR PUBLIC POSTSECONDARY

STUDENTS (TEAPPS) GRANT PROGRAM

Sec. 61.9901. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "program" means the Texas Emergency Aid for Public Postsecondary Students (TEAPPS) grant program established under this subchapter.

Sec. 61.9902. PROGRAM PURPOSE. The purpose of the Texas Emergency Aid for Public Postsecondary Students (TEAPPS) grant program is to enable eligible institutions of higher education to provide emergency aid grants to assist students in dealing with unexpected or unforeseen expenses, events, or circumstances that could cause a loss of momentum toward completion of a degree program.

Sec. 61.9903. ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM. (a) The board shall administer the program and adopt any rules necessary to implement the program. The board shall consult with institutions of higher education in developing rules under this subchapter.

(b) The board shall develop a competitive application process to award grants to eligible institutions of higher education under the program.

Sec. 61.9904. GRANT ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible to receive a grant under the program, an institution of higher education must offer at least one associate or baccalaureate degree program and:

(1) have a student enrollment in which at least 30 percent of students:

(A) receive a Pell grant; or

(B) are members of an underrepresented minority population, as determined by the board; or

(2) be designated by the United States Department of Education as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI).

Sec. 61.9905. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. An institution of higher education awarded a grant under this subchapter must:

(1) adopt a policy that clearly defines "emergency" in accordance with board rule for purposes of providing emergency aid to students under Section 61.9907;

(2) use an additional amount of funds at least equal to 10 percent of the grant amount awarded under the program for purposes of providing emergency aid to students under Section 61.9907;

(3) partner with state agencies, nonprofit community-based organizations, or other private entities to offer to students receiving emergency aid under Section 61.9907 wraparound support services, such as assistance with food, housing, transportation, or health care; and

(4) implement basic components and adhere to best practices for successful emergency aid programs, as determined by the board.

Sec. 61.9906. GRANT FUNDING; AMOUNT OF GRANT. (a) The total amount of money appropriated for an academic year to award grants to institutions of higher education under the program may not exceed $2 million.

(b) The amount of a grant awarded to an institution of higher education under the program may not exceed $50,000 per academic year.

(c) The board may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the program.

Sec. 61.9907. GRANT USE. (a) An institution of higher education that receives a grant under the program may use grant funds only to provide emergency aid to students enrolled at the institution in accordance with this subchapter.

(b) The amount of emergency aid awarded to a student under this section may not exceed $1,000 per award.

(c) An institution of higher education that receives a grant under the program must establish an application process for students enrolled at the institution to apply for emergency aid awarded under this section. The application process must:

(1) allow students to apply electronically;

(2) be offered in both English and Spanish; and

(3) require the institution to:

(A) conclude review of an application not later than 48 hours after receipt of the application; and

(B) disburse any funds awarded not later than 48 hours after concluding review of an application.

(d) Each institution of higher education that receives a grant under the program shall:

(1) inform students enrolled at the institution of the availability of emergency aid under this section in the manner required by board rule;

(2) collect and maintain data regarding the awarding of emergency aid under this section to evaluate the effectiveness of the program; and

(3) report the data collected under Subdivision (2) to the board in the time and manner required by board rule.

SECTION 2. (a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall adopt rules to administer Subchapter MM, Chapter 61, Education Code, as added by this Act, as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act.

(b) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall begin awarding grants under Subchapter MM, Chapter 61, Education Code, as added by this Act, for the first academic year for which money is appropriated for that purpose, except that the coordinating board may not award grants under that subchapter for an academic year before the 2022-2023 academic year.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.