TITLE: Relating to providing information to undergraduate students regarding certain fixed or flat tuition rates provided by certain public institutions of higher education.

SUMMARY: Relating to providing information to undergraduate students regarding certain fixed or flat tuition rates provided by certain public institutions of higher education.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to providing information to undergraduate students regarding certain fixed or flat tuition rates provided by certain public institutions of higher education. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 54.016, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: (d) A general academic teaching institution that offers a fixed tuition rate program under this section shall 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. Section 54.017, Education Code, is amended by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows: (h) An institution to which this section applies shall 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. Subchapter A, Chapter 54, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 54.018 to read as follows: Sec. 54.018. FLAT-RATE TUITION PLAN. (a) In this section, "institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003. (b) An institution of higher education that offers a flat-rate tuition plan under which the institution charges a student for a specified number of credit hours regardless of the number of credit hours in which the student enrolls shall provide information explaining the effect of the flat-rate tuition plan on the calculation of a student's cost per credit hour, including the institution's current flat rate of tuition, 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; (2) 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 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.