CHAPTER 52. STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM

Statutes > Texas Statutes > EDUCATION CODE > TITLE 3. HIGHER EDUCATION > CHAPTER 52. STUDENT LOAN PROGRAM

EDUCATION CODETITLE 3. HIGHER EDUCATIONSUBTITLE A. HIGHER EDUCATION IN GENERALCHAPTER 52. STUDENT LOAN PROGRAMSUBCHAPTER A. ADMINISTRATIONSec. 52.01. ADMINISTRATION. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, or its successors, shall administer the student loan program authorized by this chapter pursuant to Sections 50b-4, 50b-5, and 50b-6, Article III, Texas Constitution, and any former provision of the Texas Constitution authorizing bonds to finance educational loans to students. Personnel and other expenses required to properly administer this chapter shall be funded by:(1) the general appropriations acts; or(2) any other source of revenue received by the board in connection with the operation of the student loan program.

Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1334, Sec. 1.

Sec. 52.02. DELEGATION OF POWERS AND DUTIES. The board may delegate to the commissioner of higher education the powers, duties, and functions authorized by this chapter, except those relating to the sale of bonds and the letting of contracts for insurance.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.

Sec. 52.03. BOARD INTEREST AND SINKING FUNDS. (a) The board by resolution may establish one or more interest and sinking funds as accounts in the state treasury.(b) A board interest and sinking fund established under this section consists of deposits made by the board as provided by this chapter.(c) A board interest and sinking fund established under this section may be used for any purpose related to the student loan program.(d) The board by resolution may create and provide the terms of administration and use of one or more accounts in a board interest and sinking fund established under this section.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 4, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.

Sec. 52.04. BOARD STUDENT LOAN FUNDS. (a) The board by resolution may establish one or more board student loan funds as accounts in the state treasury.(b) A board student loan fund established under this section consists of deposits made by the board as provided by this chapter.(c) A board student loan fund established under this section may be used for any purpose related to the student loan program.(d) The board by resolution may create and provide the terms of administration and use of one or more accounts in a board student loan fund established under this section.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 4, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.

SUBCHAPTER B. BONDSSec. 52.11. ISSUANCE OF BONDS. (a) The board may from time to time provide by resolution for the issuance of negotiable bonds in a total aggregate amount not exceeding $285 million.(b) All bonds shall be on a parity and shall be called the Texas College Student Loan Bonds.(c) The proceeds from the sale of bonds shall be placed in the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund.(d) To assure the orderly and economical marketing of the bonds and the reasonable availability of money in the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund, the bonds may be issued in installments.(e) The bonds of each issue shall be dated and shall bear interest at rates prescribed by the board, subject to the limitations imposed by law. At the option of the board, the interest may be payable annually or semiannually.(f) The bonds shall mature serially or otherwise not later than 40 years from their date and may be redeemable before maturity, at the option of the board, at a price or prices and under terms and conditions fixed by the board in the resolution providing for the issuance of the bonds.(g) The board shall determine the form of the bonds, including the form of any interest coupon to be attached to the bonds, and shall fix the denomination or denominations of the bonds and the place or places for the payment of the principal and interest.(h) The bonds shall be executed on behalf of the coordinating board, or its successor, as general obligations of the State of Texas in the following manner: They shall be signed by the chairman or vice chairman and the secretary of the board, and the seal of the board shall be impressed on them. They shall be signed by the governor and attested by the secretary of state and the state seal impressed on them. The resolution authorizing the issuance of any installment or series of bonds may prescribe the extent to which facsimile signatures and facsimile seals may be used in executing the bonds and appurtenant coupons. Interest coupons may be signed with the facsimile signatures of the chairman or vice chairman and the secretary of the board. In the event any officer whose manual or facsimile signature appears on any bond or coupon ceases to hold that office before the delivery of the bond or coupon, the signature will nevertheless be valid and sufficient for all purposes as if he had remained in office until the delivery had been made.(i) The resolution may provide for registration of the bonds as to ownership and for successive conversion and reconversion from registered to bearer bonds and vice versa.(j) Before any of the bonds issued are delivered to the purchasers, the record pertaining to the bonds shall be examined by the attorney general and the records and the bonds shall be approved by him. After approval by the attorney general, the bonds shall be registered in the office of the comptroller of public accounts. When approved, registered, and delivered to the purchasers, the bonds are incontestable and constitute general obligations of the State of Texas.(k) The performance of official duties prescribed by Article III, Section 50b, of the Texas Constitution, in reference to the provision for the payment and the payment of the bonds may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction through mandamus or other appropriate proceedings.(l) All bonds issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter are negotiable instruments under the laws of this state.(m) The board may provide for the replacement of any bond which is mutilated, lost, or destroyed.(n) This section applies only to bonds issued under Article III, Section 50b, of the Texas Constitution.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 300, Sec. 28, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 5, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.

Sec. 52.12. REFUNDING BONDS. (a) The board may provide by resolution for the issuance of refunding bonds for the purpose of refunding any bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter and then outstanding, together with accrued interest on them.(b) The issuance of the refunding bonds, the maturities, and all other details of the bonds, the rights of the holders, and the duties of the board with respect to the bonds, shall be governed by the applicable provisions of Section 52.11 of this code.(c) The refunding bonds may be exchanged for the outstanding bonds or may be sold and the proceeds used to retire the outstanding bonds.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.

Sec. 52.13. BONDS AS INVESTMENTS. All bonds issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter are legal and authorized investments for banks, savings banks, trust companies, building and loan associations, insurance companies, fiduciaries, trustees, and guardians, and for the sinking funds of cities, towns, villages, counties, school districts, and all other political subdivisions and public agencies of the State of Texas. The bonds, when accompanied by all unmatured coupons appurtenant to them, are lawful and sufficient security for all deposits of state funds and of all funds of any agency or political subdivision of the state, and of counties, school districts, cities, and all other municipal corporations or subdivisions at the par value of the bonds. The bonds and the income from them, including the profits made on their sale, shall at all times be free from taxation in this state.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.

Sec. 52.16. PROCEEDS FROM BOND SALE. All proceeds from the sale of bonds authorized by Article III, Section 50b, 50b-1, or 50b-2 of the Texas Constitution shall be deposited in the state treasury in the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 6, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.

Sec. 52.17. INTEREST AND SINKING FUNDS. (a) Each fiscal year a sufficient portion of the funds received by the board as repayment of student loans granted under this chapter, as interest on the loans, and as other available funds relating to the student loan program shall be deposited in the state treasury in the Texas college interest and sinking fund or a board interest and sinking fund to:(1) pay the interest and principal coming due during the next fiscal year on all outstanding bonds issued under this chapter that are secured by money in, as applicable, the Texas college interest and sinking fund or a board interest and sinking fund; and(2) establish and maintain any reserves required by the board resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds.(a-1) With respect to any bonds that remain outstanding under this chapter, the board may, subject to the terms of the applicable board resolution authorizing the issuance of those bonds:(1) reduce, eliminate, or replace any reserve portion of the Texas college interest and sinking fund or a board interest and sinking fund; and(2) apply any excess money in accordance with Subsection (b).(b) If in any year funds are received in excess of the foregoing requirements, then the excess may be:(1) deposited in the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund, the student loan auxiliary fund, or a board interest and sinking fund;(2) used to pay any costs of the board related to the operation of the student loan program;(3) used for any lawful purpose related to the student loan program; or(4) used for the same purposes and upon the same terms and conditions prescribed for the proceeds derived from the sale of the bonds.(c) If funds received by the board in any fiscal year as repayment of student loans and as interest on the loans are insufficient to pay the interest coming due and the principal maturing on the bonds during the next fiscal year as described by Subsection (a), the comptroller shall transfer into the Texas college interest and sinking fund and each board interest and sinking fund out of the first money coming into the treasury that is not otherwise appropriated by the constitution an additional amount sufficient to pay that interest and principal.(d) The resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds may provide for the deposit, from bond proceeds, of not more than 36 months' interest, and may provide for the use of bond proceeds as a reserve for the payment of principal of and interest on the bonds.(e) Amounts paid to the board by the federal Lender's Special Allowance program may:(1) be deposited in:(A) the Texas college interest and sinking fund; or(B) a board interest and sinking fund; or(2) be used by the board for the administration of student loan and grant programs administered by the board, including the making of grants under Subchapter M, Chapter 56.(f) With respect to loans granted under this chapter, the board shall file semiannually with the Bond Review Board a report on the performance of the loans, the Texas college interest and sinking fund, and each board interest and sinking fund. The Bond Review Board shall review the reports filed by the board under this subsection to assess the performance of the loans under this chapter, the Texas college interest and sinking fund, and each board interest and sinking fund. The filing dates and the contents of the reports must comply with any rules adopted by the Bond Review Board.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 518, Sec. 1, eff. June 12, 1985; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 1st C.S., ch. 4, Sec. 13.05, eff. Aug. 22, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 7, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 5.10, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 8.214, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1181, Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2005.Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1334, Sec. 6(a), eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 52.18. DUTIES OF COMPTROLLER. The comptroller of public accounts shall make the transfers required under the provisions of this chapter and shall pay or cause to be paid the principal of and interest on the bonds as they mature and come due.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 5.11, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Sec. 52.19. INVESTMENT OF FUNDS. All money in the Texas college interest and sinking fund and in each board interest and sinking fund, including any reserve portion, and all money in the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund and in the student loan auxiliary fund in excess of the amount necessary for student loans, and all money in each board student loan fund shall be invested by the comptroller in the investments prescribed by board resolution. The board shall furnish to the comptroller a copy of the resolution prescribing authorized investments. The board may sell any instruments owned in the Texas college interest and sinking fund, a board interest and sinking fund, the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund, the student loan auxiliary fund, or a board student loan fund at the prevailing market price. Income from these investments may be deposited in any of those funds.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 4, Sec. 2, eff. Feb. 28, 1991; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 5, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 29, 1991; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 8, eff. Aug. 30, 1993; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1423, Sec. 5.12, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1334, Sec. 6(b), eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 52.20. STUDENT LOAN NOTES. (a) Promissory notes evidencing student loans made by the board with proceeds from bonds may be deposited and held in any fund as directed by the board resolution that authorized the issuance of the bonds.(b) The board may pledge and grant a security interest in all or any portion of those promissory notes to any person to further secure the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued under this chapter or of obligations under any contracts entered into by the board relating to the issuance of a series of bonds.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 9, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.

SUBCHAPTER C. STUDENT LOANSSec. 52.31. PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS. In this subchapter, "participating higher educational institution" means a public or private nonprofit institution of higher education, including a junior college, accredited by a recognized accrediting agency as defined by Section 61.003, or a regional education service center or other entity that offers an alternative educator certification program approved by the State Board for Educator Certification, that:(1) is located in this state; and(2) complies with the provisions of this chapter and the rules of the board promulgated in accordance with this chapter.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1181, Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2005.

Sec. 52.32. QUALIFICATIONS FOR LOANS. (a) The board may authorize loans from the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund to a qualified applicant who:(1) is a resident of this state as defined by the board in accordance with Subchapter B, Chapter 54;(2) has been accepted for enrollment at a participating higher educational institution, provided that if the institution is a public or private postsecondary educational institution, the institution must be approved by an agency of the United States government for the purpose of guaranteeing the maker of such loans against loss due to the death, disability, or default of the borrower;(3) has established that the student has insufficient resources to finance the student's college education or alternative educator certification program;(4) has submitted to the board at least two references, including the names of the persons giving those references and appropriate contact information for those persons; and(5) has complied with other requirements established by the rules adopted by the board in conformity with this chapter.(a-1) Except as provided by Subsection (b), if the institution to which the applicant has been accepted for enrollment was not a participating institution, as defined by Section 52.31, on May 1, 1985, the applicant must provide evidence that the applicant is unable to obtain a guaranteed student loan from a commercial lender.(b) If a loan applicant is enrolled at a career school or college in a degree program that is approved by the board or at a regional education service center or other entity in an alternative educator certification program that is approved by the State Board for Educator Certification, the applicant is not required to provide evidence that the applicant is unable to obtain a guaranteed student loan from a commercial lender under Subsection (a-1).(c) In no event may a higher standard of academic performance be required of an applicant than the minimum standard required for enrollment in the participating institution. The student must be meeting the minimum academic requirements of the institution in the semester any loan is made.(d) Repealed by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1334, Sec. 6(e)(2), eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 892, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 23, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 3, 1987; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1084, Sec. 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 364, Sec. 2.01, eff. Sept. 1, 2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 817, Sec. 8.16, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1181, Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2005.Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1334, Sec. 6(e)(2), eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 52.321. STANDARDS CONCERNING ABILITY TO REPAY CERTAIN LOANS. In establishing requirements to be met by applicants for student loans authorized by the board under this chapter, the board may not establish standards relating to demonstration of ability to repay a federally insured student loan that are stricter for a certain class of applicants than for other applicants, except in cases where the applicant attends a school with a loan default rate of 15 percent or more.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1084, Sec. 2.02, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.

Sec. 52.33. AMOUNT OF LOAN. The amount of the loan to any qualified applicant shall be limited to the difference between the financial resources available to the applicant, including but not limited to the applicant's income from parents and other sources, scholarships, gifts, grants, other financial aid, and the amount the applicant can reasonably be expected to earn, and the amount necessary to pay the applicant's reasonable expenses as a student at the participating institution of higher education where the applicant has been accepted for enrollment, under the rules and regulations adopted by the board. The total loan to any individual student may never be more than the amount the student can reasonably be expected to repay in the maximum loan period provided by board rule, except as otherwise provided for in this chapter.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 23, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 3, 1987.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1181, Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2005.

Sec. 52.34. PAYMENTS TO STUDENT. (a) No payment may be made to any student until the student has executed a note payable to the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund for the full amount of the authorized loan plus interest.(b) For the purposes of this chapter, a student has the capacity to contract and is bound by any contract executed by the student, and the defense that the student was a minor at the time the student executed the note is not available to the student in any action arising on the note.(c) Payments to students executing notes may be made annually, semiannually, quarterly, monthly, or for each semester as the board may determine, depending on the demonstrated capacity of the student to manage the student's financial affairs.(d) Disbursements may be made by the board or by the participating institution pursuant to a contract between the board and the institution executed in conformity with this chapter.(e) Money may be distributed to a participating institution only to make payments to a student under a loan authorized by this chapter.(f) The board shall distribute money to a participating institution through the electronic funds transfer system maintained by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation for disbursing loan funds from commercial lenders participating in the guaranteed student loan program under Chapter 57, except that at the request of a participating institution the board may distribute the money through other means. The board shall enter into a contract with the corporation for the use of the system, and the corporation shall make the system available to the board as necessary to carry out this subsection.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 820, Sec. 45, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Sec. 52.35. TERM OF LOANS. The term of all authorized loans must be for the shortest possible period consistent with general practice by issuers of student loans, as determined by the board.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3339, ch. 1024, art. 2, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1971; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 23, Sec. 3, eff. Aug. 3, 1987.Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1181, Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2005.

Sec. 52.36. LOAN INTEREST AND FEES. (a) The board shall from time to time fix the interest to be charged for any student loan at a rate sufficient to pay the interest on outstanding bonds, any expenses incident to their issuance, sale, and retirement, and all or a portion of the board's expenses related to the operation of the student loan program. Interest shall be postponed by the board as long as a student is enrolled at a participating institution and may be postponed at the board's discretion as long as a student is enrolled at any other higher educational institution, provided that the total interest paid is to be equal to that fixed at the time the note evidencing the loan is executed.(b) The board may charge and collect loan origination fees from borrowers for use in offsetting in whole or in part the operating expenses for the loans.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 785, ch. 347, Sec. 1, eff. June 6, 1979; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 23, Sec. 4, eff. Aug. 3, 1987; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 10, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.

Sec. 52.37. INSURANCE. The board may contract with any insurance company or companies licensed to do business in Texas for insurance on the life of any student borrower in an amount sufficient to retire the principal and interest owed under a loan made under the provisions of this chapter. The cost of the insurance shall be paid by the student borrower. No contract for insurance as provided for in this section may be approved except by the board during a regular meeting attended by a quorum of the total board membership.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.

Sec. 52.38. REPAYMENT OF LOANS. Repayment of any loan and interest authorized under this chapter shall be made monthly and shall begin not later than nine months after the date the student borrower is last enrolled in a participating institution or any other institution of higher education and in no event later than five years from the date the first note evidencing a loan under this chapter is executed. The board may, however, authorize a longer period before beginning repayment of loans to medical students, dental students, and other students seeking professional or graduate degrees. The board may extend the time for beginning repayment for unusual financial hardships, with the approval of the attorney general. Repayment shall be made directly to the board or to a participating institution pursuant to a contract executed by the board in accordance with its rules and regulations.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3339, ch. 1024, art. 2, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.

Sec. 52.39. DEFAULT; SUIT. When any person who has received a loan authorized by this chapter has failed or refused to make as many as six monthly payments due in accordance with an executed note, then the full amount of the remaining principal and interest becomes due and payable immediately, and the amount due, the person's name and his last known address, and other necessary information shall be reported by the board to the attorney general. Suit for the remaining sum shall be instituted by the attorney general, or any county or district attorney acting for him, in the county of the person's residence, the county in which is located the institution at which the person was last enrolled, or in Travis County, unless the attorney general finds reasonable justification for delaying suit and so advises the board in writing.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.

Sec. 52.40. CANCELLATION OF CERTAIN LOAN REPAYMENTS. (a) The board may cancel the repayment of a loan received by a student who earns a doctorate of psychology degree and who, prior to the date on which repayment of the loan is to commence, is employed by the Department of Aging and Disability Services, the Department of State Health Services, or the Health and Human Services Commission and performs duties formerly performed by employees of the Texas Department of Human Services or Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the Texas Youth Commission, or the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.(b) A person who wishes to apply for a loan cancellation shall enter into a contract with the board which contains the following provisions:(1) No payment is due from the person as long as he is employed by one of the designated state agencies.(2) Half of the total amount of the loan plus interest due is to be cancelled after two years of the appropriate service, and the remainder is to be cancelled after two additional years of service.(3) Repayment of the loan and interest is to commence immediately if the person leaves the designated state agency before the expiration of two years; repayment of one-half of the loan and interest is to commence immediately if the person leaves the designated state agency after completing two years service; upon completion of four years service, the loan, principal and interest, shall be fully cancelled.(4) Interest continues to accrue until the loan is cancelled or repaid.(c) Loans and interest on loans may be cancelled under the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund in any year in a total amount not to exceed the amount appropriated for that purpose from general revenue funds.(d) The board shall publicize the availability of the loan cancellation procedures provided in this section at all institutions of higher education which offer graduate programs in psychology.

Added by Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1344, ch. 503, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975. Amended by Acts 1984, 68th Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 28, art. III, part K, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1984; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 264, Sec. 33, eff. Aug. 26, 1985; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 517, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1084, Sec. 2.03, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87, Sec. 25.052, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 52.41. RESTRICTION ON ISSUANCE OF CERTAIN FEDERALLY INSURED STUDENT LOANS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the board may issue a student loan under the Federal Family Education Loan Program (20 U.S.C. Section 1071 et seq.), as amended, only to a borrower who has been or will be issued a student loan under another student loan program administered by the board.(b) The board may service any outstanding student loans issued by the board under the Federal Family Education Loan Program.(c) The board may issue student loans under the Federal Family Education Loan Program to borrowers other than borrowers described by Subsection (a) if the commissioner of higher education determines that market conditions warrant the issuance of those loans.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 820, Sec. 46, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

SUBCHAPTER D. GENERAL PROVISIONSSec. 52.501. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:(1) "Board" means the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.(2) "Board interest and sinking fund" means an interest and sinking fund established by the board under Section 52.03 of this code.(3) "Board student loan fund" means a student loan fund established by the board under Section 52.04 of this code.(4) "Bond" means a general obligation bond issued by the board under Section 50b-4, 50b-5, or 50b-6, Article III, Texas Constitution, or any former provision of the Texas Constitution authorizing bonds to finance educational loans to students.(5) "Student loan program" means the student loan program administered by the board under this chapter.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 30, 1993. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 300, Sec. 2, eff. Nov. 7, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 144, Sec. 2, eff. Nov. 2, 1999.Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1334, Sec. 2.

Sec. 52.51. ADVISORY COMMITTEES. The board may appoint advisory committees from outside its membership as it deems necessary to assist it in achieving the purposes of this chapter.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.

Sec. 52.52. CONTRACTS. (a) Except as provided by this section, in achieving the goals outlined in this chapter and the performance of functions assigned to it, the board may contract with any other state governmental agency as authorized by law, with any agency of the United States, and with corporations, associations, partnerships, and individuals.(b) The board may not make an agreement with a guarantor concerning any insured student loans the board authorizes that requires the board to file suit or take other action to collect on a defaulted loan beyond the 365th day after the official default date occurs on the loan, unless such a requirement is imposed by the guarantor on other lenders making the same kind of insured student loans.(c) Not later than January 1, 1991, the board shall amend its contract with the United States Department of Education that requires the board to file suit to obtain judgment on a defaulted loan before filing a claim on the defaulted loan with the guarantor to reflect the requirement in Subsection (b) of this section.(d) The board may approve and enter into agreements that are necessary for the operation of the student loan program or that relate to the issuance of bonds.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1084, Sec. 2.04, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 571, Sec. 11, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.

Sec. 52.521. FILING OF CLAIMS ON LOANS IN DEFAULT. (a) The board shall file a claim with the appropriate guarantor on an insured loan in default as soon as it is practicable to do so in accordance with the guarantor's rules.(b) The board shall deposit funds obtained as a result of any claims, including claims filed on loans in default that have been litigated as provided under a contract with the United States Department of Education, filed with a guarantor in the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund or in the student loan auxiliary fund in the appropriate account to be used for making student loans.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1084, Sec. 2.05, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 5, Sec. 3.

Sec. 52.53. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The board may accept gifts, grants, or donations of real or personal property from any individual, group, association, or corporation or the United States, subject to limitations or conditions set by law. The board shall deposit gifts, grants, or donations of money in the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund or in the student loan auxiliary fund and shall separately account for and expend the funds in accordance with the specific purpose for which given and under such conditions as are imposed by the donor and as provided by law.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 5, Sec. 4.

Sec. 52.54. RULES AND REGULATIONS. (a) The board shall adopt and publish rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of this chapter in accordance with and under the conditions applied to other agencies by Chapter 274, Acts of the 57th Legislature, Regular Session, 1961, as amended (Article 6252-13, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).(b) The board may adopt rules and regulations necessary for participation in the federal guaranteed loan program provided by the Higher Education Act of 1965 (Public Law 89-329).

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3340, ch. 1024, art. 2, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.

Sec. 52.541. ACCOUNTS FOR LOAN PROGRAMS. (a) The board shall establish separate accounting within the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund and the student loan auxiliary fund for each of its existing loan programs, including accounting for the federally insured loans that are insured by the United States Department of Education, the federally insured loans that are insured by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and each loan program that consists of loans insured by the State of Texas.(b) If a loan program is established after September 1, 1989, the board shall establish separate accounting within the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund and the student loan auxiliary fund for that loan program.(c) The board may transfer funds between the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund and the student loan auxiliary fund and among the separate accounts established under this section within those funds if:(1) the transfer is approved by the board and is necessary to administer the Texas Opportunity Plan Fund or the student loan auxiliary fund; and(2) the reason for the transfer is documented in the accounting of the funds.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1084, Sec. 2.06, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 5, Sec. 4.Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1334, Sec. 6(c), eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 52.55. AUDIT. All transactions under the provisions of this chapter are subject to audit by the state auditor.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971.

Sec. 52.56. ANNUAL REPORT. (a) The board shall make a report of the operations of the Texas Opportunity Plan and of the student loan auxiliary fund to the governor annually and to the legislature not later than December 1 prior to the regular session of the legislature.(b) The report shall include, for the state as a whole and for each participating institution, the following information:(1) the number of loans;(2) the maximum loan;(3) the minimum loan;(4) the total amount of loans made;(5) a list of persons who have failed or refused to make as many as six monthly payments on any note, showing the amount due and the person's last known address; and(6) any other information that will describe the effectiveness of the loan program.(c) The board shall include in its annual report under this section a report of the loans authorized by the board that are in default. The board shall report the data concerning any loans in default in a form that is similar to the reporting of loan default data by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation for a commercial lender participating in the student loan program under Chapter 57 of this code.

Acts 1971, 62nd Leg., p. 3072, ch. 1024, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1971. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1084, Sec. 2.07, eff. Sept. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., 2nd C.S., ch. 5, Sec. 5.

SUBCHAPTER E. COLLEGE SAVINGS BONDSSec. 52.61. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:(1) "College savings bond" means a general obligation bond issued by the board under Article III, Section 50b-2, of the Texas Constitution.(2) "Postsecondary educational institution" includes an institution of higher education as that term is defined by Section 61.003 of this code and private institutions approved for purposes of the tuition equalization program under Subchapter F of Chapter 61 of this code.