Bill Text: TX SB473 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to providing information to undergraduate students regarding certain fixed or flat tuition rates provided by certain public institutions of higher education.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-17 - Referred to s/c on Higher Education by Pres [SB473 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-SB473-Introduced.html

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88R6411 JTZ-D
By: Hughes S.B. No. 473

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to providing information to undergraduate students
regarding certain fixed or flat tuition rates provided by certain
public institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 54.016, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) A general academic teaching institution that offers a
fixed tuition rate program under this section shall provide
information explaining the effect of the program on the calculation
of a student's cost per credit hour, including the institution's
current fixed tuition rate, and clearly describing the amount of
tuition a student would pay for varying course loads covered by the
program:
(1) to each transferring undergraduate student, at the
time the student is offered the opportunity to participate in the
institution's fixed tuition rate program;
(2) for a student enrolled in the institution's fixed
tuition rate program, in materials or correspondence provided to
the student each time the student registers for a semester or other
term and in each tuition billing statement;
(3) on the institution's Internet website; and
(4) in any financial aid information provided to
students.
SECTION 2. Section 54.017, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
(h) An institution to which this section applies shall
provide information explaining the effect of the fixed tuition
price plan on the calculation of a student's cost per credit hour,
including the institution's current fixed tuition rate, and clearly
describing the amount of tuition a student would pay for varying
course loads covered by the plan:
(1) to each entering undergraduate student, at the
time the student is offered the opportunity to participate in the
institution's fixed tuition price plan;
(2) for a student enrolled in the institution's fixed
tuition price plan, in materials or correspondence provided to the
student each time the student registers for a semester or other term
and in each tuition billing statement;
(3) on the institution's Internet website; and
(4) in any financial aid information provided to
students.
SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 54, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 54.018 to read as follows:
Sec. 54.018. FLAT-RATE TUITION PLAN. (a) In this section,
"institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by
Section 61.003.
(b) An institution of higher education that offers a
flat-rate tuition plan under which the institution charges a
student for a specified number of credit hours regardless of the
number of credit hours in which the student enrolls shall provide
information explaining the effect of the flat-rate tuition plan on
the calculation of a student's cost per credit hour, including the
institution's current flat rate of tuition, and clearly describing
the amount of tuition a student would pay for varying course loads
covered by the plan:
(1) to each entering undergraduate student;
(2) in materials or correspondence provided to the
student each time the student registers for a semester or other term
and in each tuition billing statement;
(3) on the institution's Internet website; and
(4) in any financial aid information provided to
students.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.