Sec. 56.305. CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS. (a) After initially qualifying for a TEXAS grant, a person may continue to receive a TEXAS grant during each semester or term in which the person is enrolled at an eligible institution only if the person:

(1) meets financial need requirements as defined by the coordinating board;

(2) is enrolled in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible institution;

(3) is enrolled for at least three-fourths of a full course load for an undergraduate student, as determined by the coordinating board;

(4) makes satisfactory academic progress toward a baccalaureate degree; and

(5) complies with any additional nonacademic requirement adopted by the coordinating board.

(b) A person is not eligible to continue to receive a TEXAS grant under this section if the person has been convicted of a felony or an offense under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act), or under the law of another jurisdiction involving a controlled substance as defined by Chapter 481, 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) If a person fails to meet any of the requirements of Subsection (a) after the completion of any semester or term, the person may not receive a TEXAS grant during the next semester or term in which the person enrolls. A person may become eligible to receive a TEXAS grant in a subsequent semester or term if the person:

(1) completes a semester or term during which the student is not eligible for a scholarship; and

(2) meets all the requirements of Subsection (a).

(d) A person who qualifies for and subsequently receives a TEXAS grant, who receives an undergraduate certificate or associate degree, and who, not later than the 12th month after the month the person receives the certificate or degree, enrolls in a program leading to a higher-level undergraduate degree continues to be eligible for a TEXAS grant to the extent other eligibility requirements are met.

Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1230 (H.B. 1172), Sec. 7

(e) For the purpose of this section, a person who is initially awarded a TEXAS grant before the 2005 fall semester makes satisfactory academic progress toward an undergraduate degree or certificate only if:

(1) in the person's first academic year the person meets the satisfactory academic progress requirements of the institution at which the person is enrolled; and

(2) in a subsequent academic year, the person:

(A) completes at least 75 percent of the semester credit hours attempted in the student's most recent academic year; and

(B) earns an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent on coursework previously attempted at institutions of higher education.

Text of subsection as amended by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1181 (S.B. 1227), Sec. 34

(e) For the purpose of this section, a person makes satisfactory academic progress toward an undergraduate degree or certificate only if:

(1) in the person's first academic year the person meets the satisfactory academic progress requirements of the institution at which the person is enrolled; and

(2) in a subsequent academic year, the person:

(A) completes at least 75 percent of the semester credit hours attempted in the student's most recent academic year; and

(B) earns an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent on coursework previously attempted at public or private institutions of higher education.

(e-1) For purposes of this section, a person who is initially awarded a TEXAS grant during or after the 2005 fall semester makes satisfactory academic progress toward an undergraduate degree or certificate only if:

(1) in the person's first academic year the person meets the satisfactory academic progress requirements of the institution at which the person is enrolled; and

(2) in a subsequent academic year, the person:

(A) completed at least 24 semester credit hours in the student's most recent academic year; and

(B) has earned an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale or the equivalent on coursework previously attempted at institutions of higher education.

(f) A person who is eligible to receive a TEXAS grant continues to remain eligible to receive the TEXAS grant if the person enrolls in or transfers to another eligible institution.

(g) 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:

(1) while enrolled in a number of semester credit hours that is less than the number of semester credit hours required under Subsection (a)(3); or

(2) if the student's grade point average or the student's completion rate or number of semester credit hours completed, as applicable, falls below the satisfactory academic progress requirements of Subsection (e) or (e-1).

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1590, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 1999. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 919, Sec. 2, eff. June 20, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1181 (S.B. 1227), Sec. 34, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1230 (H.B. 1172), Sec. 7, eff. June 18, 2005.

Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1155 (S.B. 215), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2013.