Relating to a limitation on the amount of tuition charged by public institutions of higher education.
Impact
The bill will amend the Education Code by establishing a fixed cap on tuition fees, thereby making higher education more financially accessible to students. By indexing tuition to the costs from a specific past academic year, SB104 encourages institutions to manage their tuition structures more prudently, potentially leading to a stabilization in tuition hikes. This is particularly significant for students from low-income backgrounds who often struggle with the escalating costs of education.
Summary
SB104 seeks to impose a limitation on the tuition fees charged by public institutions of higher education in Texas. Specifically, the bill states that the total tuition charged to a student for an academic year cannot exceed the amount that would have been charged to a similarly situated student during the 2008-2009 academic year. This measure aims to tackle rising tuition costs and enhance the affordability of higher education for students across the state.
Contention
Discussions around SB104 may highlight notable points of contention, including concerns from educational institutions about the constraints that such a limit could impose on their budgeting and operational capabilities. Critics of the bill argue that while the intention to control tuition fees is commendable, capping tuition could limit an institution's ability to provide necessary resources and quality education, especially in the face of inflation and rising operational costs. Therefore, while the bill promotes affordability, it may inadvertently hinder the quality and breadth of educational offerings.
Relating to a study by the Legislative Budget Board concerning the long-term effects of regulating tuition rates and amounts charged by public institutions of higher education.
Relating to the determination of resident status of certain high school graduates by public institutions of higher education and to the tuition and fees charged by those institutions to those graduates.
Relating to the enrollment, including resident status and tuition rates, of certain persons, including persons not authorized to be present in the United States, in public institutions of higher education.
Relating to the enrollment, including resident status and tuition rates, of certain persons, including persons not authorized to be present in the United States, in public institutions of higher education.
Relating to accountability of institutions of higher education, including educator preparation programs, and online institution resumes for public institutions of higher education.
Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.
Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.
Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.