Sec. 61.809. AWARD OF SCHOLARSHIP

(a) The board shall award a scholarship for tuition and compulsory fees, including laboratory and building use fees, as provided by this section to a student:

(1) who has received a certificate of completion from the board under Section 61.807;

(2) who, not later than the second anniversary of the date that the student completes high school, enrolls at a public or private institution of higher education in this state or an out-of-state public or private institution of higher education; and

(3) who applies for the scholarship on a form provided by the board.

(b) If a student eligible to receive a scholarship under this section enrolls at an institution of higher education in this state, the board shall award the student a scholarship under this section in the amount of tuition and compulsory fees charged at that institution.

(c) If a student eligible to receive a scholarship under this section enrolls at a private institution of higher education in this state or an out-of-state public or private institution of higher education, the board shall award the student a scholarship in the amount of the lesser of:

(1) the amount of tuition and compulsory fees charged at that institution; or

(2) the amount of the average cost of tuition and compulsory fees charged at a public senior college or university.

(d) A scholarship under this section may not be used to pay voluntary fees or charges for room and board.

(e) If a student who receives a scholarship under this section meets the qualifications under Subsection (g), the board shall award a scholarship to the student for:

(1) four academic years of full-time undergraduate student or the equivalent of part-time study; or

(2) five academic years of full-time undergraduate student or the equivalent of part-time study, if the program of study requires five years, as determined by the board.

(f) A semester, quarter, or term of enrollment during which a student receives an award for part-time study under this section is counted as one-half of a semester, quarter, or term, as appropriate.

(g) To qualify to continue receiving a scholarship as provided by Subsection (e), a student must:

(1) retain good academic standing, as provided by board rule;

(2) apply for a scholarship each year on a form and in the manner provided by board rule; and

(3) meet any other reasonable requirements established under this subchapter by board rule.

Redesignated from Education Code, Subchapter P, Chapter 61 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 91 , Sec. 27.001(9), eff. September 1, 2011.