SECTION 89.1613. Promotion of Postsecondary Information

(a) The provisions of this subsection apply both for students who are homeless and students who are in substitute care.

(1) School district and open-enrollment charter school counselors or other designated staff shall work with district McKinney-Vento and foster care liaisons to ensure that all students who are identified as homeless or in substitute care graduate with endorsements, if applicable, and have postsecondary plans identified in their personal graduation plans, to the extent required by Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.02121.

(2) School districts and open-enrollment charter schools must provide postsecondary counseling in alignment with TEC, §33.007, for all students, including students who are homeless or in substitute care.

(3) School districts and open-enrollment charter schools must connect students to college readiness initiatives, campus visits, and other postsecondary preparation opportunities provided by the school district or open-enrollment charter school.

(4) School counselors must provide information about postsecondary education to the student and the student's parent or guardian during the first school year a student is enrolled in high school and each subsequent year throughout high school.

(b) The provisions of this subsection apply only for students who are homeless.

(1) McKinney-Vento liaisons must inform unaccompanied homeless youths of their status as independent students for the purpose of applying for financial aid for higher education and provide verification of such status for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA), pursuant to 42 United States Code, §11432(g)(6)(A)(x)(III).

(2) School counselors must assist and advise students experiencing homelessness with college preparation and readiness, pursuant to 42 United State Code, §11432(g)(1)(K).

(c) The provisions of this subsection apply only for students who are in substitute care.

(1) School districts and open-enrollment charter schools shall ensure that a student in substitute care who is enrolled in Grade 11 or 12 is provided information regarding tuition and fee exemptions under TEC, §54.366, for dual-credit or other courses provided by a public institution of higher education for which a high school student may earn joint high school and college credit.

(2) School districts and open-enrollment charter schools shall inform students in substitute care of tuition and fee exemptions under TEC, §54.367, regarding monthly payments, medical assistance benefits, and reimbursement of fees.

(3) School districts and open-enrollment charter schools shall ensure students in substitute care are informed that every higher education institution in Texas has a designated foster care liaison to assist students.

(4) Foster care liaisons are encouraged to support students in substitute care with linking to colleges to develop connections and facilitate effective transitions into postsecondary education.

(5) Foster care liaisons, school counselors, and others must assist students with seeking and applying for all types of scholarships for which the student may qualify.

Source Note: The provisions of this §89.1613 adopted to be effective March 30, 2020, 45 TexReg 2159; amended to be effective January 1, 2023, 47 TexReg 8659