Signed by Governor Rick Perry

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that lowers the number of students in the top 10% of their high school class that the University of Texas at Austin is required to admit and provides for some scholarships to students in the top 10% of their high school class.

Highlights:

-Caps the percentage of applicants in the top 10% of their high school class that the University of Texas at Austin is required to accept at 75% of its freshman class (Sec. 1). -Priority in admission will first be given to those students in the top 1% of their high school class, then in the top 2% and so forth (Sec. 1). -Requires reexamination of this legislation after the 2015-2016 academic year (Sec. 1). -Caps the number of out-of-state students admitted to the University of Texas at Austin to 10% of freshman enrollment (Sec. 1). -Provides a scholarship to qualified students in the top 10% of their high school class that covers demonstrated financial need (Sec. 5). -Requires all high schools that send a significantly less than average percentage of students to college provide their students with information about and assistance with the college admittance process (Sec. 6).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that caps the automatic admissions into any state college or university for students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class at 60 percent of the incoming class, and establishes a scholarship available for students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their high school class beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year.

Highlights:

- Authorizes colleges and universities to accept students under the automatic admissions program beyond the 60 percent cap, provided that the institution offers admissions to applicants by percentile rank according to class standing based on GPA (Sec. 1). - Repeals the automatic admissions cap after eight consecutive academic years (Sec. 1). - Establishes a scholarship program for incoming freshman equal to an amount not to exceed the student's tuition, except for the potential bonus amount described below. To qualify for the scholarship, the student must meet the following requirements (Sec. 3):

- Graduated in the top 10 percent of the student's high school class; - Completed the recommended or advanced high school curriculum; - Unmet financial needs, as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; - Texas residency; and - Any other eligibility requirements established by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

- Establishes the following requirements for students to continue to receive the scholarship listed above (Sec. 3):

- Unmet financial needs, as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; - Completed at least 75 percent of all credit hours attempted for that academic year; - Completed at least 30 credit hours or the number of credit hours necessary to complete the student's degree or certificate program; and - Maintained a GPA of at least 3.5.

- Requires colleges and universities to continue providing a student with the scholarship listed above if the student fails to make satisfactory academic progress, provided that one of the following circumstances exists (Sec. 3):

- Severe illness or other debilitating condition that could affect the student's academic performance; or - Responsibility for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person, such that it could affect the student's academic performance.

- Authorizes the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to award a bonus amount of $1,000 per semester or other academic term if the student meets the following requirements:

- Junior or Senior status at a college or university; - Declared major in a filed with a workforce shortage, as determined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; and - Maintained a GPA of at least 3.0 during the student's junior and senior year.

Full Bill Text