bill banning hardship-based tuition waivers at public colleges

The text as introduced · 316 words

By: Tepper
H.B. No. 1454

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to waivers and reductions of tuition and fees by

institutions of higher education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 54, Education Code, is

amended by adding Section 54.018 to read as follows:

Sec. 54.018. PROHIBITION ON WAIVER OR REDUCTION OF TUITION

OR FEE BASED ON INCOME. (a) This section does not apply to a

scholarship or grant awarded under Chapter 56, Education Code.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 54.010, the governing board of

an institution of higher education may not offer a student a waiver

or reduction of tuition or fee based on financial hardship,

including based on the income of the:

(1) student;

(2) student's household; or

(3) student's legal guardian.

SECTION 2. Section 54.217, Education Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 54.217. STUDENTS ENROLLED IN FULLY FUNDED COURSES;

OPTIONAL WAIVER. (a) The governing board of an institution of

higher education may waive tuition and fees for students attending

courses that are fully funded by federal or other sources.

(b) If the governing board of an institution waives tuition

and fees for a student enrolled in a course under this section, the

governing board must waive tuition and fees for all students

enrolled in that course or subject to that fee who are in good

academic standing and may not waive tuition and fees based on

financial hardship, including based on the income of the:

(1) student;

(2) student's household; or

(3) student's legal guardian.

SECTION 3. The following provisions of the Education Code

are repealed:

(a) Section 54.261;

(b) Section 54.262;

(c) Section 54.5061(g); and

(d) Section 54.513(h).

SECTION 4. Section 54.018, as added by this Act, and Section

54.217, as amended by this Act, apply beginning with the 2026 fall

semester.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.