(a) In this section, “coordinating board” means the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
(b) The governing board of an institution of higher education shall exempt an eligible educational aide from the payment of tuition and fees, other than class or laboratory fees.

(c) To be eligible for an exemption under this section, a person must:
(1) be a resident of this state;
(2) be a school employee serving in any capacity;
(3) for the initial term or semester for which the person receives an exemption under this section, have worked as an educational aide for at least one school year during the five years preceding that term or semester;
(4) establish financial need as determined by coordinating board rule;
(5) be enrolled at the institution of higher education granting the exemption in courses required for teacher certification in one or more subject areas determined by the Texas Education Agency to be experiencing a critical shortage of teachers at the public schools in this state;
(6) maintain an acceptable grade point average as determined by coordinating board rule; and
(7) comply with any other requirements adopted by the coordinating board under this section.
(c-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (c)(5), a person who previously received a tuition exemption under this section remains eligible for an exemption if the person:
(1) is enrolled at an institution of higher education granting the exemption in courses required for teacher certification; and
(2) meets the eligibility requirements in Subsection (c) other than Subsection (c)(5).
(d) The institution of higher education at which a person seeking an exemption under this section is enrolled must certify the person’s eligibility to receive the exemption. As soon as practicable after receiving an application for certification, the institution shall make the determination of eligibility and give notice of its determination to the applicant and to the school district employing the applicant as an educational aide.
(e) The coordinating board shall adopt rules consistent with this section as necessary to implement this section. The coordinating board shall distribute a copy of the rules adopted under this section to each school district and institution of higher education in this state.
(f) The board of trustees of a school district shall establish a plan to encourage the hiring of educational aides who show a willingness to become certified teachers.
(g) The governing board of an institution of higher education that offers courses required for teacher certification shall establish a plan to make those courses more accessible to those who seek teacher certification. The board shall consider as part of its plan to make those courses more accessible for teacher certification, evening classes, Internet classes, or other means approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.