(a) In the event of a hardship or for other good cause, the Program Officer at an eligible institution may allow an otherwise eligible person to receive a TEXAS grant while enrolled for an equivalent of less than three-quarter time. Such conditions are not limited to, but include:
- (1) a showing of a severe illness or other debilitating condition that may affect the student's academic performance;
- (2) an indication 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; or
- (3) the requirement of fewer than nine hours to complete one's degree plan.
- (b) Under no circumstances, other than fewer hours required for graduation, may a person enrolled less than half time receive a TEXAS grant.
- (c) A student's general eligibility for a TEXAS grant terminates six years from the term in which he or she receives the first award, if the student's eligibility was based on his or her high school performance or four years, if his or her eligibility was based on receiving an associate's degree. However, the director of financial aid may grant an extension of the six or four years in the event of extreme hardship. Documentation justifying the extension must be kept in the student's files, and the institution must identify students granted extensions, and the length of their extensions to the Coordinating Board, so that it may appropriately monitor each student's period of eligibility.
- (d) A student must enroll in higher education within 16 months of high school graduation. However, the financial aid director may allow a student to receive his/her first award after more than 16 months have passed if the student and/or the student's family has suffered a hardship that would now make the student rank as one of the institution's neediest. Documentation justifying the exception must be kept in the student's files.
Source Note:The provisions of this §22.229 adopted to be effective December 28, 1999, 24 TexReg 11751; amended to be effective November 26, 2001, 26 TexReg 9617; amended to be effective March 2, 2003, 28 TexReg 1862.