(a) To receive an initial award through the Program, a student must:
  (1) Be enrolled in a research doctoral degree program at a participating institution;
  (2) Demonstrate that the student has either:
    (A) Graduated from a Texas public high school, including an open-enrollment charter school, during the ten years preceding the date of the student's application to the program; or
    (B) Graduated from a Texas public, private or independent institution of higher education as defined by sections 61.003(8) or (15) of the Texas Education Code.
  (3) Be enrolled full-time in a doctorate degree program at a participating institution;
  (4) Have applied for any available financial aid assistance;
  (5) Be economically disadvantaged by either:
    (A) having received a Pell Grant while enrolled as an undergraduate student; or
    (B) having received a TEXAS grant or Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) as an undergraduate student; or
    (C) having received a Leadership Scholarship as an undergraduate student.
  (6) Be nominated by the institution of higher education where the student is enrolled on the basis of merit and leadership potential.
(b) To receive a continuation award through the Program, a Research Scholar must:
  (1) Have previously received an initial year award through this Program;
  (2) Be enrolled in a research doctoral degree program where the Research Scholar received initial award;
  (3) Make satisfactory academic progress toward the research doctoral degree at the eligible institution, as defined in §22.304 of this subchapter (relating to Satisfactory Academic Progress) unless the Research Scholar is granted a hardship extension in accordance with §22.309 of this subchapter (relating to Hardship Provision); and
  (4) Have completed or is on target to complete programmatic requirements set forth in §22.306 and §22.307 of this subchapter (relating to Academic Achievement Support and Leadership Development, respectively) as reported by participating institution.

Source Note: The provisions of this §22.303 adopted to be effective May 16, 2024, 49 TexReg 3276