By: Wilson H.B. No. 300

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating scholarships under the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program.

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

SECTION 1. Section 61.9771(b), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The amount of a scholarship under this subchapter in an academic year is the lesser of:

(1) the greater of $30,000 or the average cost of attendance at all institutions of higher education in this state, as determined by the Board [$15,000]; or

(2) the amount available for each scholarship from appropriations that may be used for scholarships under this subchapter for that academic year.

SECTION 2. Section 61.9772, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(a) To receive an initial scholarship under this subchapter, a student must:

(1) be enrolled in a public or private institution of higher education in this state;

(2) while enrolled in a public or private institution of higher education in this state,:

(A) enroll in and be a member in good standing in or have completed a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program or another undergraduate officer commissioning program such as the United States Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class while enrolled in a public or private institution of higher education in this state; or

(B) have received acceptance to the officer commissioning program for the Texas State Guard, as defined by Section 437.001, Government Code.

(3) be appointed to receive a scholarship by the governor, the lieutenant governor, a state senator, or a state representative; and

(4) enter into an agreement with the board under Section 61.9773.

(b-1) Each state senator and each state representative must make the appointment and alternate appointment under Subsection (b) no later than September 30 of each calendar year. After September 30, the speaker of the house and the lieutenant governor shall fill all vacant appointments and alternate appointments from the house and senate, respectively.

SECTION 3. Section 61.9773(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 61.9773. AGREEMENT REQUIREMENTS. (a) To receive a scholarship under this subchapter, a student must enter into an agreement with the board as provided by this section. The agreement must require the student to:

(1) either:complete

(A) Complete or have previously completed one year of ROTC training for each year that the student receives the scholarship; or

(B) Complete or have previously completed another undergraduate officer commissioning program such as the United States Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Class; or

(C) Be accepted into the officer commissioning program for the Texas State Guard, as defined by Section 437.001, Government Code;

(2) graduate not later than six years after the date the student first enrolls in a public or private institution of higher education in this state;

(3) after graduation, enter into:

(A) a four-year commitment to be a member of the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, Texas State Guard, United States Coast Guard, or United States Merchant Marine; or

(B) a contract to serve as a commissioned officer in any branch of the armed services of the United States;

(4) meet the physical examination requirements and all other prescreening requirements of the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, Texas State Guard, United States Coast Guard, or United States Merchant Marine or the branch of the armed services with which the student enters into a contract; and

(5) agree to repay the scholarship if the student:

(A) fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress;

(B) withdraws from the scholarship program; or

(C) fails to fulfill a commitment or contract described by Subdivision (3).

SECTION 4. Section 61.9775, Education Code is amended to read as follows:

LIMITATIONS ON SCHOLARSHIP. (a) A person may not receive a scholarship under this subchapter for more than four academic years.after earning a cumulative total of 150 credit hours or after being awarded a baccalaureate degree, whichever occurs first.

(b) A scholarship awarded to a student under this subchapter shall be reduced for an academic year by the amount by which the full amount of the scholarship plus the total amount to be paid to the student for being under contract with one of the branches of the armed services of the United States exceeds the student's total cost of attendance for that academic year at the public or private institution of higher education in which the student is enrolled.

SECTION 5. Subchapter FF, Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 61.9777 to read as follows:

Sec. 61.9777. SCHOLARSHIP COORDINATOR. The Board shall designate a scholarship coordinator to:

(1) serve as a point of contact for students nominated for the scholarship; and

(2) coordinate with financial aid offices at institutions of higher education in this state on behalf of scholarship recipients.

SECTION 6. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year.

SECTION 7. 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, 2025.