Bill Text: TX HB4251 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to an exemption from tuition and required fees at public institutions of higher education for undergraduate students from low-income families.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-03-31 - Referred to Higher Education [HB4251 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB4251-Introduced.html
  85R6761 KEL-D
 
  By: Walle H.B. No. 4251
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to an exemption from tuition and required fees at public
  institutions of higher education for undergraduate students from
  low-income families.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.   Subchapter D, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 54.2003 to read as follows:
         Sec. 54.2003.  UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME
  FAMILIES.  (a) In this section:
               (1)  "Family income" means the combined gross income
  for purposes of federal income tax of:
                     (A)  the student and the student's parents, if the
  student is not married; or
                     (B)  the student, the student's parents, and the
  student's spouse, if the student is married.
               (2)  "Federal poverty level" is determined according to
  the federal poverty guidelines established by the United States
  Department of Health and Human Services.
               (3)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning
  assigned by Section 61.003.
         (b)  For the 2021-2022 academic year and for each subsequent
  academic year, an undergraduate student enrolled at an institution
  of higher education is exempt from the payment of tuition and
  required fees authorized by this chapter for a term or semester if
  the student:
               (1)  on the day the semester or term begins:
                     (A)  is less than 25 years of age; and
                     (B)  is a resident of this state who has resided in
  this state continuously for the preceding 12 months; and
               (2)  for the preceding calendar year, had a family
  income of less than 400 percent of the applicable federal poverty
  level.
         (b-1)  For the 2018-2019, 2019-2020, and 2020-2021 academic
  years, an undergraduate student enrolled at an institution of
  higher education is exempt from the payment of tuition and required
  fees authorized by this chapter for a term or semester if the
  student:
               (1)  on the day the semester or term begins:
                     (A)  is less than 25 years of age; and
                     (B)  is a resident of this state who has resided in
  this state continuously for the preceding 12 months; and
               (2)  for the preceding calendar year, had a family
  income of less than 300 percent of the applicable federal poverty
  level.
         (b-2)  Subsection (b-1) and this subsection expire September
  1, 2021.
         (c)  A student may not receive an exemption under this
  section for more than 12 semesters or summer terms.
         (d)  A student is not eligible for an exemption under this
  section if the student's tuition and required fees for the semester
  or term are or will be paid directly to the institution of higher
  education by the United States or by a person other than the student
  or the student's family or guardian from funds other than funds of
  the student or the student's family or guardian.
         (e)  To receive an exemption under this section, a student 
  must apply for the exemption in the manner provided by the
  institution in which the student registers. The governing board of
  the institution shall require an applicant to submit satisfactory
  evidence that the applicant is eligible for the exemption.
         SECTION 2.   This Act applies beginning with tuition and
  required fees imposed for the 2018 fall semester.
         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, 2017.
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