Chancellors from the six largest public university systems in Texas have asked legislators to allocate approximately $1 billion to higher education. Their request was delivered with a promise to freeze tuition rates for undergraduate students for the next two years if the funding is allocated to them.
In a signed letter, the chancellors requested a $352 million increase for instruction, buildings and research. They also requested $80 million for regional universities to provide additional services to at-risk students and help them graduate. Another $276 million was requested to fund employee health insurance. Currently, the state covers less than 80% of health insurance coverage for higher education employees.
The request also included additional funding for the Hazlewood Legacy Program which provides tuition for veterans and their families. In 2021, the state reimbursed only 13% of approximately $176 million in waived tuition. This year, the Chancellor’s asked the state to fully reimburse the program at an estimated $276 million. State funding for course credit hours has been on the decline since 2008, and student tuition and fees have continued to rise to cover costs.