House Bill No. 300 amends the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program to enhance the scholarship amount and eligibility criteria for students. The bill increases the scholarship amount to the greater of $30,000 or the average cost of attendance at all higher education institutions in Texas, replacing the previous cap of $15,000. Additionally, it expands eligibility by allowing students to either complete a Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program or be accepted into the officer commissioning program for the Texas State Guard. The bill also introduces a requirement for state senators and representatives to make appointments for scholarships by September 30 each year, with provisions for the speaker of the house and lieutenant governor to fill any vacancies thereafter.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a new section that mandates the Board to designate a scholarship coordinator to serve as a point of contact for nominated students and to coordinate with financial aid offices at higher education institutions. The scholarship duration is limited to four academic years, and students must agree to specific commitments post-graduation, including serving in the Texas National Guard or another branch of the armed services. The changes are set to take effect starting with the 2025-2026 academic year.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 61.9771, Education Code 61.9772, Education Code 61.9773, Education Code 61.9775 (Education Code 61)