The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
  (1) Cost of attendance--An estimate of the expenses incurred by a typical financial aid student in attending a particular college or university. It includes direct educational costs (tuition, fees, books, and supplies) as well as indirect costs (room and board, transportation, and personal expenses).
  (2) Expected family contribution--The amount of discretionary income that should be available to a student from his or her resources and that of his or her family, as determined by the US Department of Education Definition of Expected Family Contribution.
  (3) Financial need--The cost of attendance at a particular public or private institution of higher education less the expected family contribution. The cost of attendance and family contribution are to be determined in accordance with board guidelines.
  (4) Gift Aid--Educational funds from state, federal, and other sources, such as grants, that do not require repayment from present or future earnings. Assistantships and work-study programs are not considered to be gift aid.
  (5) Half-time student--For undergraduates, not in their final semester, who are enrolled or are expected to be enrolled for the equivalent of at least six but not more than nine semester credit hours. For graduate students, not in their final semester, who are enrolled or are expected to be enrolled for the equivalent of 4.5 but not more than six semester credit hours.
  (6) Institution--Public and private or independent institutions of higher education as defined in Texas Education Code, §61.003.
  (7) Period of enrollment--The term or terms within the current state fiscal year (September 1 - August 31) for which the student was enrolled in an approved institution and met all the eligibility requirements for an award through the program described in this chapter.
  (8) Program Officer--The individual named by each participating institution's chief executive officer to serve as agent for the board. The program officer has primary responsibility for all ministerial acts required by the program, including maintenance of all records and preparation and submission of reports reflecting program transactions. Unless otherwise indicated by the administration, the director of student financial aid shall serve as program officer.
  (9) Resident of Texas--A resident of the State of Texas as determined in accordance with 19 TAC Part 1, Chapter 21, Subchapter B (relating to Determination of Resident Status). Nonresident students who are eligible to pay resident tuition rates are not residents of Texas.

Source Note: The provisions of this §520.2 adopted to be effective December 9, 2009, 34 TexReg 8727; amended to be effective February 9, 2011, 36 TexReg 547; amended to be effective April 10, 2013, 38 TexReg 2224; amended to be effective February 8, 2017, 42 TexReg 428