Sec. 51.810. HIGHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE PLANS. (a) In this section:

(1) "Coordinating board" means the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

(2) "Institution of higher education" and "private or independent institution of higher education" have the meanings assigned by Section 61.003.

(b) The institution of higher education in closest geographic proximity to a public high school in this state identified by the coordinating board for purposes of this section as substantially below the state average in the number of graduates who enroll in higher education institutions shall enter into an agreement with that high school to develop a plan to increase the number of students from that high school enrolling in higher education institutions. Under the plan, the institution shall:

(1) collaborate with the high school to:

(A) provide to prospective students information related to enrollment in an institution of higher education or a private or independent institution of higher education, including admissions, testing, and financial aid information;

(B) assist those prospective students in completing applications and testing related to enrollment in those institutions, including admissions and financial aid applications, and fulfilling testing requirements; and

(C) target efforts to increase the number of Hispanic students and African American male students enrolled in higher education institutions; and

(2) actively engage with local school districts to provide access to rigorous, high-quality dual credit opportunities for qualified high school students as needed.

(c) An institution of higher education must include a plan developed by the institution under this section and the results of that plan in its annual report to the coordinating board under Section 51.4032.

(d) The coordinating board shall include in its annual "Closing the Gaps" higher education plan progress report a summary of the results of the plans developed and administered under this section.

(e) The coordinating board may adopt rules to implement this section.

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1015 (H.B. 2550), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2013.