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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to waivers and reductions of tuition and fees by |
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institutions of higher education. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 54, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 54.018 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 54.018. PROHIBITION ON WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF TUITION |
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OR FEE BASED ON INCOME. (a) This section does not apply to a |
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scholarship or grant awarded under Chapter 56, Education Code. |
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(b) Notwithstanding Section 54.010, the governing board of |
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an institution of higher education may not offer a student a waiver |
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or reduction of tuition or fee based on financial hardship, |
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including based on the income of the: |
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(1) student; |
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(2) student's household; or |
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(3) student's legal guardian. |
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SECTION 2. Section 54.217, Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 54.217. STUDENTS ENROLLED IN FULLY FUNDED COURSES; |
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OPTIONAL WAIVER. (a) The governing board of an institution of |
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higher education may waive tuition and fees for students attending |
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courses that are fully funded by federal or other sources. |
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(b) If the governing board of an institution waives tuition |
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and fees for a student enrolled in a course under this section, the |
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governing board must waive tuition and fees for all students |
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enrolled in that course or subject to that fee who are in good |
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academic standing and may not waive tuition and fees based on |
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financial hardship, including based on the income of the: |
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(1) student; |
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(2) student's household; or |
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(3) student's legal guardian. |
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SECTION 3. The following provisions of the Education Code |
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are repealed: |
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(a) Section 54.261; |
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(b) Section 54.262; |
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(c) Section 54.5061(g); and |
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(d) Section 54.513(h). |
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SECTION 4. Section 54.018, as added by this Act, and Section |
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54.217, as amended by this Act, apply beginning with the 2026 fall |
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semester. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026. |