TITLE: Relating to common requirements applicable to waivers, exemptions, and other tuition or fee benefits.

SUMMARY: Relating to common requirements applicable to waivers, exemptions, and other tuition or fee benefits.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to common requirements applicable to waivers, exemptions, and other tuition or fee benefits. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 54.201 to read as follows: Sec. 54.201. COMMON REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO WAIVERS, EXEMPTIONS, AND OTHER TUITION OR FEE BENEFITS. (a) This section applies to any waiver, exemption, or other tuition or fee benefit provided by this subchapter or other law. This section applies notwithstanding conflicting requirements of other law, except that additional or stricter requirements provided by a specific statute apply in addition to the minimum requirements provided by this section. (b) To be eligible for a waiver, exemption, or other tuition or fee benefit, a person must: (1) first exhaust any available federal grant, scholarship, or financial aid other than a loan; and (2) make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate at the institution, as determined by the institution. (c) A waiver, exemption, or other tuition or fee benefit does not apply to a graduate or continuing education program that is self-funded. (d) A waiver, exemption, or other tuition or fee benefit applies to a maximum of eight semesters. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives the vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.