Texas Senate Bill SB2058

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the enforcement of certain requirements regarding the transfer of course credit between public institutions of higher education.

Impact

The bill is expected to enhance the transfer process for students moving between higher education institutions, potentially increasing accessibility and easing financial stress. By waiving fees for non-credit courses, SB2058 encourages smoother transitions for students who wish to continue their education without being penalized financially for prior coursework that does not align perfectly with their new program. This could result in increased enrollment and limit the number of students who may be discouraged from transferring due to financial concerns.

Summary

Senate Bill 2058 aims to facilitate the transfer of course credits between public institutions of higher education in Texas. It specifically addresses the issue of tuition and fees applicable to courses that a transferring student has taken but for which they do not receive academic credit towards their degree at the receiving institution. The bill mandates that institutions must waive tuition and fees for a number of semester credit hours that correspond to these courses, thus alleviating some financial burden on students.

Contention

While the bill has the support of many educational advocates who see the value in reducing barriers for transfer students, there may be concerns from some educational institutions regarding the financial implications of waiving these tuition and fees. Some critics may argue that this could lead to loss of revenue for institutions, which could in turn affect their budget allocations for resources and programs. Balancing the need to support students while ensuring institutions can maintain their financial health will be crucial moving forward.