| (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.
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