1. (a) Authority. Authority for this section is Texas Education Code, §51.3535, Responsibility of System Administration Regarding Competency-Based Education.

2. (b) Definitions. In addition to the words and terms defined in §13.1 of this chapter (relating to Definitions) and §13.121 of this subchapter (relating to Definitions), the following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

   1. (1) Competency-Based Baccalaureate Degree Program--A baccalaureate degree program under which academic credit is awarded based solely on a student's attainment of competencies. The term may include a program that is organized around traditional course-based units, including for online or other distance education, that a student must earn for degree completion.
   2. (2) Cost of Attendance/Total Cost of Attendance--An institution's estimate of the expenses incurred by a typical financial aid recipient in attending a particular institution of higher education. It includes direct educational costs (tuition and fees) as well as indirect costs (room and board, books and supplies, transportation, personal expenses, and other allowable costs for financial aid purposes).
   3. (3) Medical or Dental Unit--As defined in Texas Education Code, §61.003.
   4. (4) University System--As defined in Texas Education Code, §61.003.
3. (c) Applicability. The provisions of this section apply only to a general academic teaching institution or medical or dental unit associated with a university system in meeting the requirement to offer competency-based baccalaureate degree programs in high-demand fields of study under Texas Education Code, §51.3535.

4. (d) Maximum Allowable Cost of Attendance. The Coordinating Board shall annually determine and announce the maximum allowable cost of attendance for a competency-based baccalaureate degree program offered under Texas Education Code, §51.3535.

   1. (1) For the 2026 - 2027 academic year, the amount will equal one-half of the average cost of attendance for resident baccalaureate students at general academic teaching institutions or medical or dental units associated with a university system.
   2. (2) Not later than the final day of January prior to the start of each subsequent fiscal year, the Coordinating Board shall determine and announce the amount for the forthcoming fiscal year, calculated by using the Consumer Price Index for the preceding twelve months, as calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, to apply an inflationary adjustment to amount announced for the prior fiscal year.
5. (e) The cost of attendance of a competency-based baccalaureate degree program offered under Texas Education Code, §51.3535, may not exceed the amount described by subsection (d) of this section for the applicable fiscal year.

Source Note:The provisions of this §13.130 adopted to be effective May 13, 2026, 51 TexReg 3104.