The latest higher education news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas Tech Chancellor Tedd Mitchell has led the 64,000-student university system since 2018. His departure will mark the latest shake-up in the state’s higher ed leadership. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1ba8f04b2c2ba93b99119467f643c3f9/0923%20State%20of%20Higher%20Ed%20EL%20TT%2016.jpg)
A niche but growing industry specializes in helping students buy Texas homes to save tens of thousands of dollars in tuition at public universities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/362351a2a1c6802d4307a85e14ba2d61/In-state%20Tuition%20KUT%2001.JPG)
The school sought to leave the church because of differences over gay marriage and clergy. The court did not decide whether SMU could be prevented from separating. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/462bba8a65ca277bc2bf6e1871ece62f/SMU%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
Proposals in the federal budget bill would cut the maximum Pell Grant award amount by $1,500 and take away eligibility for students enrolled less than half-time. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/edfb150d1d9fed3e3dd3320b5c270bec/0819%20FAFSA%20Delays%20IS%20TT%2026.jpg)
The creation of the new accrediting agency comes as Republicans have criticized existing ones for reinforcing a liberal bias in the country's higher ed institutions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/baca06d66205f2d6c0d852fa6d764ed7/TAMU%20File%20AG%20TT%2014.jpg)
Legislation approved this year is partly aimed at helping Texas meet its goal of helping 60% of working-age Texans get a postsecondary degree or credential by 2030. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dcaca61a52b0a604959c8fd328adb4e8/0306%20Permian%20Workforce%20EH%20TT%2026.jpg)
The directive comes after a court rescinded undocumented students’ eligibility for in-state tuition. It’s unclear what information schools might ask from students and how their immigration data will be protected. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4993093092dcdf1f6fb1b827c3966b4d/0428%20UT%20File%20LW%2007.jpg)
Lawmakers also approved direct pay for student athletes and sought better pathways from college to the workforce. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b120fb35e44181fe5014f9e18d953f9a/0224%20UNT%20Campus%20ST%20TT%2002.jpg)
Some implications of the ruling ordering the policy’s end are still unknown. College access experts urged affected students not to withdraw from school while they assess their options. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2c2db04d4a6c61f0dce367c69f9544c4/UTEP%20MAY19%20JAJ%2008%20TT.jpg)
Thousands of undocumented students who grew up in Texas now face college tuition costs that are more than twice what other state residents pay. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/48972742fc7d38710fbc17cd9cbf69e8/0608%20Undocumented%20Tuition%20SF%20TT%2009.jpg)
Their filing says the lawsuit that struck down in-state tuition for undocumented students was “contrived” to keep their voices out. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dcc9547b3bf9f1d2c718343c4507b641/Campus%20Voting%20DR%20TT%2055.JPG)
In 2001, Texas Republicans saw expanding college access for certain undocumented students as a way to build an educated workforce. Now, some GOP lawmakers feel only U.S. citizens should receive those benefits. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/35a9ee737d30fbc6a1ed545637084bf5/Perry%20SOS%202003%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
Within hours of a federal lawsuit targeting Texas’ policy of letting undocumented students qualify for lower public tuition rates, the 24-year-old law was no more. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3d336410cf72665ddb57373fd44f430e/UT%20Austin%20Covid%20File%20TT%2012.jpg)
The Legislature wrapped up without the same drama that defined the end of the last two sessions, with state GOP leaders checking off nearly everything on their to-do lists. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/af0e284d192e1616f6685c4cd7167a31/0526%20House%20Floor%20EG%20TT%2025.jpg)
House Bill 126, which allows student athletes to receive a slice of the billions Texas colleges generate in revenue from their teams, now awaits the governor’s signature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f4ac6467b75a1ffbb1713ef63d7feaa8/UT%20Football%20EG%20TT.jpg)
The proposal is largely in response to massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year. Critics say it would walk back free speech protections that conservatives advocated for in previous legislative sessions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/0c61926e39c6d0cc26de0f9870127dc6/0424%20UT%20Austin%20Protest%20EH%20TT%2016.jpg)
The latest version of the proposal eliminates language that would have required university curricula not to advocate that “any race, sex, ethnicity or religious belief is inherently superior to another.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5fd507963acae20ff3dd640b67874375/Texas%20State%20Campus%20TT%20LS%2004.jpg)
Fellows learn from experienced Tribune professionals, while bringing fresh perspectives, enthusiasm and valuable skills. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/faaabee132d2ae1b17e33edd9dfcf8b7/Lede%20Grid%202%20-%202025%20Summer%20Fellows.jpg)
The gang talks about the Texas Legislature’s efforts to rein in universities, and all the changes at the top. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8e60dc0726647929cc87892f3dc58417/TribCast%20May%2020.jpg)
The House's higher education committee closed registration to testify on Senate Bill 37 less than half an hour after the hearing started. About 20 people said they didn't get to address lawmakers. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ec9f3542b5dd02b1ccdf1faee83d2e05/0515%20Hands%20Off%20Higher%20Ed%20LW%20TT%2005.jpg)