Texas House Bill HB3135

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to a TEXAS grant pilot project to provide incentives for students to attend certain underutilized public institutions of higher education.

Impact

If implemented, HB3135 would alter the financial aid landscape for students enrolling at designated institutions by creating a defined pool of grants. This reallocation of funds would aim to draw more students to these universities and diversify the student body across Texas's higher education system. Additionally, it could relieve the state from the need to expand campus facilities or hire more educators elsewhere, promoting a more efficient use of existing resources.

Summary

House Bill 3135 introduces a TEXAS grant pilot project aimed at encouraging student enrollment in underutilized public institutions of higher education. The bill specifically targets institutions like Angelo State University and Sul Ross State University, offering financial incentives to students who choose to attend these schools. By focusing on these less attended institutions, the bill hopes to alleviate the burden on other colleges that may be overcrowded or require additional physical infrastructure to accommodate more students.

Contention

The bill is not without its points of contention. Critics may argue that focusing incentives on specific institutions could detract from funding for other well-established schools, potentially creating disparities within the state's higher education funding model. Moreover, the effectiveness of this pilot program in truly incentivizing attendance at these underutilized institutions remains to be evaluated. Proponents of the bill hope that by reporting the results of the project, they can advocate for its potential expansion or permanence while ensuring adequate support across all state institutions.