colleges must explain what flat tuition actually costs

The text as introduced · 531 words

89R5904 RDR-D

By: Hughes
S.B. No. 1162

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, 2025.