The bill, S.B. No. 158, proposes the establishment of the Texas Emergency Aid for Public Postsecondary Students (TEAPPS) grant program, aimed at providing emergency financial assistance to students at certain public institutions of higher education. The new subchapter added to Chapter 61 of the Education Code outlines the program's purpose, which is to help students manage unexpected expenses that could hinder their progress toward completing their degree programs. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is tasked with administering the program, developing a competitive application process for eligible institutions, and ensuring that grant recipients adhere to specific requirements, including defining "emergency" and partnering with community organizations to provide additional support services.

To qualify for the TEAPPS grants, institutions must offer at least one degree program and meet certain enrollment criteria, such as having a significant percentage of students receiving Pell grants or being designated as Minority Serving Institutions. The total funding for the program is capped at $2 million per academic year, with individual grants not exceeding $50,000. Institutions can use the funds exclusively for emergency aid, with a maximum of $1,000 awarded per student. The bill also mandates that institutions establish a streamlined application process for students, ensuring timely reviews and disbursements of funds. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is required to adopt rules for the program and begin awarding grants no earlier than the 2026-2027 academic year.

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