Tex. Educ. Code Section 56.304
Initial Eligibility for Grant


(a)

To be eligible initially for a TEXAS grant, a person who graduated from high school before May 1, 2013, must:

(1)

be a resident of this state as determined by coordinating board rules;

(2)

meet either of the following academic requirements:

(A)

be a graduate of a public or accredited private high school in this state who graduated not earlier than the 1998-1999 school year and who completed the recommended or advanced high school curriculum established under Section 28.002 (Required Curriculum) or 28.025 (High School Diploma and Certificate; Academic Achievement Record) or its equivalent; or

(B)

have received an associate degree from a public or private institution of higher education not earlier than May 1, 2001;

(3)

meet financial need requirements as defined by the coordinating board;

(4)

be enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible institution;

(5)

be enrolled as:

(A)

an entering undergraduate student for at least three-fourths of a full course load for an entering undergraduate student, as determined by the coordinating board, not later than the 16th month after the date of the person’s graduation from high school; or

(B)

an entering student for at least three-fourths of a full course load for an undergraduate student as determined by the coordinating board, not later than the 12th month after the month the person receives an associate degree from a public or private institution of higher education;

(6)

have applied for any available financial aid or assistance; and

(7)

comply with any additional nonacademic requirement adopted by the coordinating board under this subchapter.

(b)

A person is not eligible to receive a TEXAS grant if the person has been convicted of a felony or an offense under Chapter 481 (Texas Controlled Substances Act), Health and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act), or under the law of another jurisdiction involving a controlled substance as defined by Chapter 481 (Texas Controlled Substances Act), Health and Safety Code, unless the person has met the other applicable eligibility requirements under this subchapter and has:

(1)

received a certificate of discharge by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a correctional facility or completed a period of probation ordered by a court, and at least two years have elapsed from the date of the receipt or completion; or

(2)

been pardoned, had the record of the offense expunged from the person’s record, or otherwise has been released from the resulting ineligibility to receive a grant under this subchapter.

(c)

A person is not eligible to receive a TEXAS grant if the person has been granted a baccalaureate degree.

(d)

A person may not receive a TEXAS grant for more than 150 semester credit hours or the equivalent.

(e)

If a person is initially awarded a TEXAS grant before the 2005 fall semester, the person’s eligibility for a TEXAS grant ends on the sixth anniversary of the initial award of a TEXAS grant to the person and the person’s enrollment in an eligible institution, unless the person is provided additional time during which the person may receive a TEXAS grant under Subsection (e-2).

(e-1)

If a person is initially awarded a TEXAS grant during or after the 2005 fall semester, unless the person is provided additional time during which the person may receive a TEXAS grant under Subsection (e-2), the person’s eligibility for a TEXAS grant ends on:

(1)

the fifth anniversary of the initial award of a TEXAS grant to the person, if the person is enrolled in a degree program of four years; or

(2)

the sixth anniversary of the initial award of a TEXAS grant to the person, if the person is enrolled in a degree program of more than four years.

(e-2)

The coordinating board shall adopt rules to provide a person who is otherwise eligible to receive a TEXAS grant additional time during which the person may receive a TEXAS grant in the event of a hardship or other good cause shown that prevents the person from continuing the person’s enrollment during the period the person would otherwise have been eligible to receive a TEXAS grant, including a showing of a severe illness or other debilitating condition or that the person is or was responsible for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person.

(f)

The requirement in Subsection (a)(2) that a person must have completed the recommended or advanced high school curriculum does not apply to a person who:

(1)

attended a public high school in a school district if that district certifies to the commissioner of education that the high school did not offer all the necessary courses for a person to complete all parts of the recommended or advanced high school curriculum; and

(2)

completed all courses at the high school offered toward the completion of the recommended or advanced high school curriculum.

(g)

Not later than March 1 of each year, the commissioner of education shall provide to the coordinating board a list of all the public high schools that do not offer all the courses necessary to complete all parts of the recommended or advanced high school curriculum as described by Subsection (f)(1).

(h)

The coordinating board shall adopt rules to allow a person who is otherwise eligible to receive a TEXAS grant, in the event of a hardship or for other good cause shown, including a showing of a severe illness or other debilitating condition that may affect the person’s academic performance or that the person is responsible for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person and that the person’s provision of care may affect the person’s academic performance, to receive a TEXAS grant while enrolled in a number of semester credit hours that is less than the number of semester credit hours required under Subsection (a)(5) or Section 56.3041(5), as applicable. The coordinating board may not allow a person to receive a TEXAS grant while enrolled in fewer than six semester credit hours.
Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1590, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 1999. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1261, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2001.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1181 (S.B. 1227), Sec. 33, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1230 (H.B. 1172), Sec. 6, eff. June 18, 2005.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1197 (S.B. 28), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1155 (S.B. 215), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2013.
Sec. 56.3041. INITIAL ELIGIBILITY OF PERSON GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL ON OR AFTER MAY 1, 2013. (a) To be eligible initially for a TEXAS grant, a person graduating from high school on or after May 1, 2013, and enrolling in an eligible institution must:

(1)

be a resident of this state as determined by coordinating board rules;

(2)

meet the academic requirements prescribed by Paragraph (A), (B), (C), or (D) as follows:

(A)

be a graduate of a public or accredited private high school in this state who completed the foundation high school program established under Section 28.025 (High School Diploma and Certificate; Academic Achievement Record) or its equivalent and have accomplished any two or more of the following:
(i)
successful completion of the course requirements of the international baccalaureate diploma program or earning of the equivalent of at least 12 semester credit hours of college credit in high school through courses described in Sections 28.009 (College Credit Program)(a)(1), (2), and (3);
(ii)
satisfaction of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) college readiness benchmarks prescribed by the coordinating board under Section 51.334 (Assessment Instruments) on any assessment instrument designated by the coordinating board under that section or qualification for an exemption as described by Section 51.338 (Exemptions)(b), (c), or (d);
(iii)
graduation in the top one-third of the person’s high school graduating class or graduation from high school with a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a four-point scale or the equivalent; or
(iv)
completion for high school credit of at least one advanced mathematics course following the successful completion of an Algebra II course or at least one advanced career and technical or technology applications course;

(B)

have received an associate degree from a public or private institution of higher education;

(C)

be an undergraduate student who has:
(i)
previously attended another institution of higher education;
(ii)
received an initial Texas Educational Opportunity Grant under Subchapter P for the 2014 fall semester or a subsequent academic term;
(iii)
completed at least 24 semester credit hours at any institution or institutions of higher education; and
(iv)
earned an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent on all course work previously attempted; or

(D)

if sufficient money is available, meet the eligibility criteria described by Section 56.304 (Initial Eligibility for Grant)(a)(2)(A);

(3)

meet financial need requirements established by the coordinating board;

(4)

be enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at an eligible institution;

(5)

except as provided under rules adopted under Section 56.304 (Initial Eligibility for Grant)(h), be enrolled as:

(A)

an entering undergraduate student for at least three-fourths of a full course load, as determined by the coordinating board, not later than the 16th month after the calendar month in which the person graduated from high school;

(B)

an entering undergraduate student who entered military service not later than the first anniversary of the date the person graduated from high school and who enrolled for at least three-fourths of a full course load, as determined by the coordinating board, at the eligible institution not later than 12 months after being honorably discharged from military service;

(C)

a continuing undergraduate student for at least three-fourths of a full course load, as determined by the coordinating board, not later than the 12th month after the calendar month in which the person received an associate degree from a public or private institution of higher education; or

(D)

an undergraduate student described by Subdivision (2)(C) who has never previously received a TEXAS grant;

(6)

have applied for any available financial aid or assistance; and

(7)

comply with any additional nonacademic requirements adopted by the coordinating board under this subchapter.

(b)

Expired.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 919, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1197 (S.B. 28), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 211 (H.B. 5), Sec. 68(a), eff. June 10, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1155 (S.B. 215), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 842 (H.B. 2223), Sec. 2.08, eff. June 15, 2017.

Source: Section 56.304 — Initial Eligibility for Grant, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.­56.­htm#56.­304 (accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

56.001
Short Title
56.002
Declaration of Policy
56.003
Definitions
56.004
Filing Fees in Suits to Collect Delinquent Student Loans
56.006
Employee Trained in Student Financial Assistance Programs for Veterans and Families
56.007
Exclusion of Assets in Prepaid Tuition Programs and Higher Education Savings Plans
56.008
Priority Deadline for Student Financial Assistance
56.009
Eligibility Based on Graduation Under Certain High School Programs
56.011
Resident Undergraduate Student Assistance
56.012
Resident Graduate Student Assistance
56.013
Information Regarding Financial Assistance Funded from Designated Tuition
56.014
Notice to Students Regarding Tuition Set Aside for Financial Assistance
56.031
Short Title
56.032
Purpose
56.033
Source of Program Funding
56.034
Guidelines for Determining Eligibility and Awarding Grants
56.035
Type of Grants to Be Awarded
56.036
Transfer of Grant Funds for Use as Matching Funds
56.037
Priorities in Awarding Matching Funds
56.038
Restrictions and Return of Transferred Funds
56.039
Full Use of Funds
56.051
Emergency Loans
56.052
Eligibility
56.053
Terms
56.054
Source of Program Funding
56.055
Deferred Repayment
56.0065
Student Financial Assistance Programs for Veterans and Families
56.071
Program Name
56.072
Purpose
56.073
Administrative Authority
56.074
Eligible Institution
56.075
Eligible Student
56.076
Eligible Employer
56.077
Adoption and Distribution of Rules
56.078
Funding
56.079
Work-study Student Mentorship Program
56.080
Online List of Work-study Employment Opportunities
56.082
Annual Report
56.091
Establishment
56.0092
Texas B-on-time Student Loan Account
56.092
Eligibility
56.093
Eligible Loans
56.094
Loan Repayment Assistance
56.095
Funding
56.101
Definitions
56.102
Administration of Program
56.103
Rural Veterinarian Incentive Program Committee
56.104
Eligible Veterinary Student or Graduate
56.105
Rural Sponsors
56.106
Financial Support
56.121
Purpose
56.122
Definitions
56.123
Creation
56.124
Administration
56.125
Loans from Fund
56.126
Revenue Bonds
56.127
Refunding Bonds
56.128
Amount of Bonds
56.129
Interest Rate
56.130
Maturity
56.131
Execution of Bonds
56.132
Approval and Registration of Bonds
56.133
Replacement of Bond
56.134
Proceeds
56.135
Limitation of Authority
56.141
Definitions
56.142
Establishment
56.143
Eligible Student
56.144
Amount and Payment of Conditional Grants
56.145
Repayment of Conditional Grant
56.147
Funding
56.161
Definitions
56.162
Establishment
56.163
Eligibility
56.164
Tuition Charged Certain Nonresident Loan Recipients
56.165
Loan Disbursement
56.166
Terms of Loan
56.167
Mentors
56.168
Postdoctoral Fellowship
56.169
Loan Suspension and Forgiveness
56.170
Conditional Guaranty
56.171
Funding
56.221
Definitions
56.222
Purpose
56.223
Eligibility
56.224
Entitlement
56.225
Application of Scholarship
56.226
Payment of State Credit
56.227
Rules
56.241
Definition
56.242
Student Endowment Scholarship and Internship Program
56.243
Election to Participate
56.244
Types of Scholarships
56.245
Eligibility
56.246
Amount of Scholarship or Internship Funding
56.247
Student Endowment Fund
56.301
Definitions
56.302
Program Name
56.303
Administration of Program
56.304
Initial Eligibility for Grant
56.305
Continuing Eligibility and Academic Performance Requirements
56.306
Grant Use
56.307
Grant Amount
56.308
Notification of Program
56.310
Funding
56.311
Legislative Oversight Committee
56.351
Definition
56.352
Purpose of Program
56.353
Eligibility
56.354
Eligible Loans
56.355
Payment of Assistance
56.357
Teach for Texas Alternative Certification Assistance Program
56.358
Funding
56.359
Grants and Service Agreements Entered into Under Former Law
56.401
Definitions
56.402
Program Name
56.403
Administration of Program
56.404
Initial Eligibility for Grant
56.405
Continuing Eligibility and Academic Performance Requirements
56.406
Grant Use
56.407
Grant Amount
56.481
Purpose
56.482
Definitions
56.483
Award of Scholarship
56.484
Initial Eligibility for Scholarship
56.485
Ineligibility for Scholarship
56.486
Amount of Scholarship
56.487
Application Procedure
56.488
Continuing Eligibility for Scholarship
56.489
Satisfactory Academic Progress
56.490
Exception for Hardship or Other Good Cause
56.491
Publication of Program Information
56.492
Reimbursement
56.493
Rules
56.501
Definitions
56.502
Purpose
56.503
Eligible Educator Preparation Programs
56.504
Initial Student Eligibility for Scholarship
56.505
Continuing Student Eligibility and Academic Performance Requirements
56.506
Scholarship Amount
56.507
Scholarship Use
56.508
Administration of Program
56.521
Definitions
56.522
Purpose
56.523
Administration of Program
56.524
Initial Eligibility for Grant
56.525
Continuing Eligibility and Academic Performance Requirements
56.526
Grant Use
56.527
Grant Amount
56.528
Grant Not to Affect Admission
56.0851
Definitions
56.0852
Program Name
56.0853
Purpose
56.0854
Administration
56.0855
Eligible Employer
56.0856
Adoption of Rules
56.0857
Online List of Texas Works Employment Opportunities
56.3042
Initial Qualification of Person on Track to Meet Eligibility Requirements
56.3045
Tolling of Eligibility for Initial Award
56.3071
Effect of Eligibility for Tuition Equalization Grant
56.3075
Health Care Profession Student Grant
56.3575
Administration
56.4075
Health Care Profession Student Grant

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

§ 56.304’s source at texas​.gov