H.B. No. 290 aims to enhance financial assistance for tuition and fees at postsecondary educational institutions for certain members of the Texas military forces. The bill amends existing provisions in the Education Code and Government Code to increase the maximum number of semester credit hours eligible for tuition exemption from 12 to 15. It also expands the scope of assistance to include mandatory fees for any semester or term in which the tuition exemption is granted. Additionally, the bill allows for a greater number of assistance awards to members of the Texas State Guard, increasing the cap from 30 to 45, unless a compelling need for more is demonstrated.

Further amendments include provisions that allow service members to receive assistance for up to 15 semester credit hours per semester or term and extend the eligibility period for assistance to a maximum of seven academic years or 15 semesters or terms. The bill mandates that the adjutant general certify a list of eligible service members to educational institutions before each semester or term and stipulates that the amount of assistance awarded cannot exceed available funding. The act is set to take effect in the fall semester of 2025, contingent upon legislative approval for immediate effect or otherwise on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 54.345, Government Code 437.226 (Government Code 437, Education Code 54)
House Committee Report: Education Code 54.345, Government Code 437.226 (Government Code 437, Education Code 54)
Engrossed: Education Code 54.345, Government Code 437.226 (Government Code 437, Education Code 54)