SECTION 22.143. Institutions

(a) Eligibility.

(1) Any college or university defined as a public, private or independent institution of higher education by Texas Education Code, §61.003, is eligible to participate in the License Plate Insignia Scholarship Program.

(2) No institution may, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability exclude an individual from participation in, or deny the benefits of the program described in this subchapter.

(3) Each participating institution must follow the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI (Public Law 88-353) in avoiding discrimination in admissions.

(b) Approval. Each approved institution must enter into an agreement with the Board, the terms of which shall be prescribed by the Commissioner.

(c) Responsibilities.

(1) Probation Notice. If the institution is placed on public probation by its accrediting agency, it must immediately advise grant recipients of this condition and maintain evidence in each student's file to demonstrate that the student was so informed.

(2) Disbursements to Students.

(A) Documentation. The institution must maintain records to prove the receipt of program funds by the student or the crediting of such funds to the student's school account.

(B) Procedures in Case of Illegal Disbursements. If the Commissioner has reason for concern that an institution has disbursed funds for unauthorized purposes, the Board will notify the institution and offer an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to the procedures outlined in Chapter 1 of this title (relating to Agency Administration). Thereafter, if the Board determines that funds have been improperly disbursed, the institution shall become primarily responsible for restoring the funds to the Board. No further disbursements of grants or scholarships shall be permitted to students at that institution until the funds have been repaid.

(3) Reporting Requirements/Deadlines. All institutions must meet Board reporting requirements in accordance with stated deadlines in the Board's published materials.

(4) In addition, the institution must meet the Department of Transportation's requirements for designing and issuing license plates bearing the institution's insignia.

Source Note: The provisions of this §22.143 adopted to be effective August 16, 2004, 29 TexReg 7986; amended to be effective August 22, 2019, 44 TexReg 4313