From the Texas Tribune: Texas universities got more state funding this year than they anticipated — but they’re still hoping for more support

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Texas’ public university officials and higher education leaders said they are breathing a sigh of relief after state lawmakers added a last-minute influx of $380 million in funding for four-year universities and health institutions at the end of this year’s legislative session, a welcome addition for many schools that have seen enrollments rise as they deal with the financial strain caused by the COVID-19 shutdown.

But community colleges aren’t feeling as lucky, as they lost tens of millions of dollars worth of state funding due largely due to enrollment declines during the pandemic. Leaders across two- and four-year schools also say they’re hoping to squeeze out some additional support for higher education in the expected special session later this year.

The additional money for university enrollment growth was not originally included in the budget conference committee report negotiated by the Texas House and Senate, to the frustration of many university officials. But it was added by the time the budget was sent to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk. How much each university will receive from the late session boost depends on enrollment changes.

Key terms:

higher education
funding
community colleges
special session
budget conference committee report
Texas House and Senate
Republican
House Appropriations Committee Chairman
funding per semester credit hour
2008 - $59.02
2022 - $55.65
Texas Higher Education
U.S. Department of Education
The Texas Association of Community Colleges
financial aid grants
Tuition revenue bonds
federal funds