Texas House Bill HB375

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 11/24/14

Caption

Relating to eliminating the set-aside of a portion of designated tuition for student financial assistance at public institutions of higher education.

Impact

The immediate impact of HB375 would be felt across public institutions of higher education in Texas, as it would relieve them of the requirement to designate a set portion of tuition revenue for student financial assistance programs. This change could lead to increased flexibility in budget allocation for institutions, while also raising questions about how financial aid will be supported moving forward without the set-aside funds. It may also prompt institutions to find alternative funding sources or adjust their financial assistance policies to accommodate the loss of these designated funds.

Summary

House Bill 375 seeks to eliminate the requirement for public institutions of higher education to set aside a portion of designated tuition for student financial assistance. This legislation specifically repeals Subchapter B of Chapter 56 in the Education Code, which mandated that institutions set aside five percent of excess tuition charged to resident undergraduate students. It aims to streamline tuition practices in Texas public colleges and universities by removing this financial obligation, thereby potentially allowing for reduced tuition fees or freeing up funds for other educational services.

Contention

The bill may face contention based on the potential consequences for students who rely on financial assistance. Critics might argue that eliminating the set-aside could disadvantage low-income students, particularly those who are dependent on these funds to afford college. Supporters of the bill could counter that this measure allows for greater institutional autonomy and the possibility of lower tuition fees overall. Continued discussions will likely arise about how higher education institutions balance their financial responsibilities to students with the need for operational flexibility.