Sec. 61.227. PAYMENT OF GRANT; AMOUNT

(a) On determination of a person's financial need, the institution at which the student is enrolled shall certify the amount of the tuition equalization grant based on financial need but not to exceed a grant amount of more than that specified in the appropriation by the legislature, or more than the difference between the tuition at the private institution attended and the tuition at public colleges and universities.

(b) The proper amount of the tuition equalization grant shall be paid to the student through the college or university in which the student is enrolled.

(c) In no event shall a tuition equalization grant paid pursuant to this subchapter in behalf of any student during any one fiscal year exceed an amount equal to 50 percent of the average state appropriation in the biennium preceding the biennium in which the grant is made for a full-time student or the equivalent at public senior colleges and universities, as determined by the board.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a student enrolled in a private or independent institution of higher education may not receive a tuition equalization grant under this subchapter and a TEXAS grant under Subchapter M, Chapter 56, for the same semester or other term, regardless of whether the student is otherwise eligible for both grants during that semester or term. A student who but for this subsection would be awarded both a tuition equalization grant and a TEXAS grant for the same semester or other term is entitled to receive only the grant of the greater amount.

(e) Notwithstanding any restrictions provided by Subsection (c) on the amount of a grant, a tuition equalization grant for an academic period for an undergraduate student who establishes exceptional financial need in accordance with the procedures and rules of the coordinating board may be certified by the institution at which the undergraduate student is enrolled in an amount not to exceed 150 percent of the amount of the grant that the student would otherwise have been awarded for that period under the other provisions of this section.

Added by Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 78, ch. 51, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 27, 1973. Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 93, ch. 56, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 27, 1979; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 144, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1181 , Sec. 51, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1230 , Sec. 16, eff. June 18, 2005. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 824 , Sec. 5, eff. June 17, 2011.