Texas Senate Bill SB370

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the determination of student priority in awarding TEXAS grants.

Impact

This bill seeks to create stability in the allocation of TEXAS grants, particularly benefiting students by providing assurance that their applications will be handled fairly and in a predictable manner. Starting with the 2022 fall semester, this approach aims to encourage more students to apply by ensuring that the funding process reflects past distributions, minimizing the risk of abrupt changes in grant availability. Such predictability in education funding is crucial for both institutions and students planning their financial futures in higher education.

Summary

SB370 proposes amendments to the Education Code regarding the determination of student priority in awarding TEXAS grants. The aim is to ensure that the process for distributing TEXAS grants is equitable and that eligible institutions conduct their allocations in a manner consistent with prior funding distributions. The bill emphasizes that when allocating funds for these grants, the total amount awarded should not deviate significantly from previous years, maintaining a measure of consistency for institutions and students alike.

Contention

While the bill presents clear structural amendments to the award process for TEXAS grants, there may be varying perspectives on its implications. Some stakeholders might argue that this focus on proportional share maintenance could limit institutions' flexibility to adapt to changing student needs and demographics. Conversely, proponents of the bill may argue that such stability in funding reflects best practices in educational finance and protects students from institutional volatility.