(a) To be eligible for admission to the program or for selection as a program alternate, an undergraduate student must:
(1) be enrolled at a general academic teaching institution or a private or independent institution of higher education at the time of application to the program;
(2) be a Texas resident for purposes of tuition under Subchapter B, Chapter 54;
(3) except as provided by Subsection (c), successfully complete at least 27 semester credit hours during the student’s freshman year;
(4) apply for admission to the program not later than a date, as designated by the council, that occurs during the fall semester of the student’s sophomore year at the general academic teaching institution or the private or independent institution of higher education; and
(5) meet criteria established by the council regarding:
(A) minimum high school and undergraduate grade point averages;
(B) financial need and any other indication of economic disadvantage; and
(C) any other matter the council considers appropriate.

(b) For purposes of Subsection (a)(3), a student is not a Texas resident as described by that subdivision solely because the student is eligible to pay tuition at the resident tuition rate.
(c) The council shall adopt rules to admit to the program or to select as a program alternate an otherwise eligible undergraduate student who, for good cause, has not successfully completed the number of semester credit hours required under Subsection (a)(4). The council may not admit to the program or select as a program alternate an undergraduate student who has successfully completed fewer than 18 semester credit hours.