The bill, H.B. No. 3683, amends the Education Code to expand the eligibility criteria for students to participate in the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program. It allows students enrolled in private schools, including home schools, to qualify for dual credit courses at no cost, provided they meet certain conditions, such as being educationally disadvantaged in the four years prior to enrollment. Additionally, the bill mandates that school districts, charter schools, and private schools determine and notify higher education institutions of a student's eligibility based on their records or other authorized methods.

Furthermore, the bill ensures that funding for eligible students enrolled in private schools is distributed to participating institutions of higher education based on the number of dual credit courses taken. It also specifies that institutions of higher education participating in the FAST program are entitled to an allotment for each dual credit course in which eligible students are enrolled, regardless of whether they are from a school district, charter school, or private school. The changes will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 28.0095, Education Code 61.059 (Education Code 28, Education Code 61)