SECTION 22.231. Hardship Provisions

(a) In the event of a hardship or for other good cause, the Program Officer at an eligible public institution may allow an otherwise eligible person to receive a TEXAS Grant under the following conditions:

(1) while enrolled in less than nine semester credit hours;

(2) if the student's grade point average falls below the satisfactory academic progress requirements of §22.229 of this title (relating to Satisfactory Academic Progress);

(3) if the student's completion rate falls below the satisfactory academic progress requirements of §22.229 of this subchapter;

(4) if the student's number of completed hours falls below the satisfactory academic progress requirements of §22.229 of this subchapter; or

(5) if the student requires an extension of the year limits found in §22.230 of this subchapter to complete his or her degree.

(b) Hardship or other good causes 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.

(c) The Program Officer may allow a student to receive his/her initial year grant after the time limits described in Section 22.228(a)(6) (relating to Eligible Students) 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.

(d) The Program Officer may allow a student to receive a grant after attempting more hours than allowed under §22.230(f) of this title (relating to Discontinuation of Eligibility or Non-Eligibility) in the event of hardship. However, the total number of hours paid for, at least in part, with TEXAS Grant funds may not exceed 150 semester credit hours or the equivalent.

(e) Documentation justifying the eligibility granted through the hardship provisions outlined in this rule must be kept in the student's file. Institutions must identify to the Board those students granted eligibility through hardship provisions, so that the Board may appropriately monitor each student's period of eligibility.

(f) Each participating public 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 §22.231 adopted to be effective November 28, 2005, 30 TexReg 7870; amended to be effective February 21, 2006, 31 TexReg 1032; amended to be effective May 21, 2008, 33 TexReg 3952; amended to be effective February 26, 2013, 38 TexReg 1161; amended to be effective February 26, 2014, 39 TexReg 1143; amended to be effective March 4, 2015, 40 TexReg 925; amended to be effective November 22, 2020, 45 TexReg 8340