1. (a) In the event of a hardship, the Program Officer at an eligible institution may allow an otherwise eligible student to receive a grant under the following conditions:

   1. (1) while enrolled in fewer semester credit hours than required in §22.203(5) of this subchapter (relating to Eligible Students);
   2. (2) if the student fails to meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements of §22.203(6) of this subchapter (relating to Eligible Students);
   3. (3) if the student requires an extension of the limits found in §22.205(c) of this subchapter (relating to Discontinuation of Eligibility or Non-Eligibility) to complete his or her degree; or
   4. (4) if the student has attempted more hours than allowed under §22.205(d) of this subchapter (relating to Discontinuation of Eligibility or Non-Eligibility).

2. (b) Hardships are not limited to, but include:

   1. (1) documentation of a severe illness or other debilitating condition that may affect the student's academic performance;
   2. (2) documentation that the student is responsible for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person and that the student's provision of care may affect his or her academic performance;
   3. (3) documentation of the birth of a child or placement of a child with the student for adoption or foster care, that may affect the student's academic performance; or
   4. (4) the requirement of fewer than twelve hours to complete one's degree plan.
3. (c) The Program Officer may allow a student to receive a grant after the time limits described in §22.203(8) of this subchapter (relating to Eligible Students) if the student and/or the student's family has suffered a hardship that would make the student rank as one of the institution's neediest.
4. (d) Documentation justifying the eligibility granted through the hardship provisions outlined in this rule must be kept in the student's file. Each institution must identify to the Coordinating Board those students granted eligibility through hardship provisions so that the Coordinating Board may appropriately monitor each student's period of eligibility.
5. (e) Each participating institution shall adopt a hardship policy under this section and have the policy available in writing in the financial aid office for public review upon request.

Source Note:The provisions of this §22.206 adopted to be effective February 15, 2024, 49 TexReg 683; amended to be effective May 15, 2025, 50 TexReg 764.