89th Interim Charge Recommendations

Recommendation #1: Enhancing Student Affordability and Completion Support

Evaluate the adequacy and efficacy of state need-based financial aid programs to address the rising cost of attendance, including non-tuition costs such as food, housing, and transportation. Evaluate how TEOG, TEG, and TEXAS grant programs support timely credential completion and assess progress toward the state’s goal of providing aid to at least 70% of eligible students and implementing guaranteed aid for eligible high school graduates in the top 25% of their class.

Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program as an early cost-reduction and momentum building tool,for low-income students participating in dual credit coursework.

Evaluate the methodology for calculating non-tuition costs within the College Student Budgets compiled from institutions and study the correlation between unmet financial need and completion rates. Provide legislative recommendations to mitigate financial crises that lead students to stop out, including flexible funding mechanisms for emergency aid.

The state should review public benefits programs, including childcare assistance and SNAP Employment and Training (E&T), to strengthen alignment with the state’s  Talent Strong Texas goals, reduce barriers for adult learners, and promote long-term economic self-sufficiency.

Recommendation #2: Monitoring the Impacts of Federal Higher Education Policy 

Monitor shifting federal regulations related to financial aid, institutional accountability, and institutional grant funding to understand their impact on Texas students and institutions. Following passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), or H.R. 1, study implementation of the new Workforce Pell program, accountability framework, and changes to federal lending and repayment options for undergraduate and graduate student loans. Provide legislative recommendations to ensure alignment with existing state policy, enhance transparency, and mitigate risks that could jeopardize the state’s postsecondary attainment and workforce goals.

Recommendation #3: Maximizing Postsecondary Completion and Value for Students

Study opportunities to reinforce the foundation laid by HB 8 (88R) to  smooth transfer pathways, improve completion rates, and deliver “return on investment” to students across higher education and workforce systems. Monitor implementation of SB 1786 (89R), with particular focus on application of the “self-sufficient wage” threshold and updated "credential of value” measures. new transfer reporting and transparency requirements under SB 3039 (89R), and the interim study on performance-based funding for general academic institutions mandated by SB 1 (89R).

Recommendation #4: Monitoring Higher Education Governance

Monitor implementation of SB 17 (88R) and SB 37 (89R), including how institutions interpret and operationalize requirements related to student support services, academic programs, and shared governance. Monitor state-level review of general education curriculum and conduct oversight of institution-level reviews of academic course instruction and the impact of resulting changes on the quality of student learning, credit progression, completion, and earnings potential.