(a) The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board by rule shall provide for a uniform priority application deadline for applications for financial assistance for an academic year.
(b) The priority deadline may not serve as a determination of eligibility for state financial assistance, but otherwise eligible applicants who apply on or before the deadline shall be given priority consideration for available state financial assistance before other applicants.

(c) The coordinating board shall consult with financial aid personnel at institutions of higher education in adopting rules providing for the deadline required under this section.
(d) This section only applies to a general academic teaching institution as defined by § 61.003.