WEATHER ALERT
Proposed Pell Grant cuts threaten college access for nearly 500,000 Texas college students
Read full article: Proposed Pell Grant cuts threaten college access for nearly 500,000 Texas college studentsProposals 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.
Texas A&M, university systems in other red states will create their own agency to review schools’ quality standards
Read full article: Texas A&M, university systems in other red states will create their own agency to review schools’ quality standardsThe 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.
What Texas lawmakers did this session to close the state’s workforce gaps
Read full article: What Texas lawmakers did this session to close the state’s workforce gapsLegislation 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.
Texas directs public universities to identify undocumented students
Read full article: Texas directs public universities to identify undocumented studentsThe directive comes after a court rescinded undocumented students’ eligibility for in-state tuition.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.
Once again targeting higher ed, Texas lawmakers limited faculty influence, campus speech this session
Read full article: Once again targeting higher ed, Texas lawmakers limited faculty influence, campus speech this sessionLawmakers also approved direct pay for student athletes and sought better pathways from college to the workforce.
Undocumented students rethink their college dreams after Texas cuts their access to cheaper tuition
Read full article: Undocumented students rethink their college dreams after Texas cuts their access to cheaper tuitionThousands of undocumented students who grew up in Texas now face college tuition costs that are more than twice what other state residents pay.
What to know about Texas ending in-state tuition for undocumented students
Read full article: What to know about Texas ending in-state tuition for undocumented studentsSome 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.
Undocumented students ask judge to let them challenge sudden loss of in-state tuition
Read full article: Undocumented students ask judge to let them challenge sudden loss of in-state tuitionTheir filing says the lawsuit that struck down in-state tuition for undocumented students was “contrived” to keep their voices out.
School choice forum to help Houston families understand Texas’ new voucher program
Read full article: School choice forum to help Houston families understand Texas’ new voucher programHAPPENING TODAY! The Frederick Douglass Freedom Alliance (FDFA) will host a FREE forum at the Christian Bible Church in Missouri City from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Texas Republicans pioneered in-state tuition for undocumented students. Now they’re celebrating its end.
Read full article: Texas Republicans pioneered in-state tuition for undocumented students. Now they’re celebrating its end.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.
Texas’ undocumented college students no longer qualify for in-state tuition
Read full article: Texas’ undocumented college students no longer qualify for in-state tuitionWithin 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.
School vouchers, THC ban, property tax cuts: Here’s what Texas lawmakers did in the 2025 regular session
Read full article: School vouchers, THC ban, property tax cuts: Here’s what Texas lawmakers did in the 2025 regular sessionThe 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.
Lawmakers approve bill limiting protests at public universities
Read full article: Lawmakers approve bill limiting protests at public universitiesThe 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.
Bill to give political appointees more oversight over Texas universities wins final passage
Read full article: Bill to give political appointees more oversight over Texas universities wins final passageThe 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.”
Faculty and students blast Texas House panel for limiting testimony on bill that targets state universities
Read full article: Faculty and students blast Texas House panel for limiting testimony on bill that targets state universitiesThe 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.
After college students protested Israel-Hamas war, Texas Senate votes to restrict time, place and manner of future events
Read full article: After college students protested Israel-Hamas war, Texas Senate votes to restrict time, place and manner of future eventsSen. Brandon Creighton says the bill will prevent disruption. Critics say it walks back conservative lawmakers' previous pledge to protect campus free speech.
After immigration crackdown, international students in Texas self-censor to protect their education
Read full article: After immigration crackdown, international students in Texas self-censor to protect their educationStudents told the Tribune they have deleted social media accounts, socialize less and steer clear of charged topics to avoid becoming targets of immigration authorities.
UT System announces $100 million investment into civic leadership school
Read full article: UT System announces $100 million investment into civic leadership schoolThe money will help pay for a permanent home for the school on UT-Austin's campus. Conservative donors and lawmakers, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, helped create the school in 2023.
UT-Dallas’ new president will be Prabhas Moghe, regents say
Read full article: UT-Dallas’ new president will be Prabhas Moghe, regents sayMoghe, Rutgers University’s chief academic officer, is a biochemical and biomedical engineer and a former international student. He is expected to start in his new role later this year.
Texas Senate panel advances bill that would no longer allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition
Read full article: Texas Senate panel advances bill that would no longer allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuitionThe bill would overturn a two-decade-old law allowing some undocumented college students to pay in-state tuition.
Texas House committee advances legislation that targets state’s universities
Read full article: Texas House committee advances legislation that targets state’s universitiesSenate bills that reduce the influence of faculties and restrict protests on college campuses were voted out of committee in a last-minute meeting Monday.
Texas House approves antisemitism bill in response to pro-Palestinian protests
Read full article: Texas House approves antisemitism bill in response to pro-Palestinian protestsThe bill, which would require schools to use a definition of antisemitism when considering discipline for students, will soon head over to Abbott’s desk.
Texas universities say Trump administration restored immigration status of some international students
Read full article: Texas universities say Trump administration restored immigration status of some international studentsMore than 250 students in Texas had their status revoked in recent weeks. Despite the reversal, federal attorneys say they’re developing policies to resume terminations.
Court orders immigration officials to restore legal status of three people who came to Texas on student visas
Read full article: Court orders immigration officials to restore legal status of three people who came to Texas on student visasThe three former students went to UT-Arlington and UT-Dallas. While they have prevailed in court so far, many other international students’ education futures remain uncertain.
UT-Rio Grande Valley students caught in nationwide sweep sue Homeland Security over immigration status
Read full article: UT-Rio Grande Valley students caught in nationwide sweep sue Homeland Security over immigration statusThe four students were involved in minor criminal cases that have been resolved, which they argue shouldn’t be used to justify ending their higher ed goals in Texas.
Texas law students warn that bill to quash “terrorist activity” in universities could trample free speech rights
Read full article: Texas law students warn that bill to quash “terrorist activity” in universities could trample free speech rightsThe bill would require universities to report any visa-holding students who support terrorism, but its vague language could be dangerous, civil rights groups say.
Texas Senate approves bill that could reshape how history and race are taught in state universities
Read full article: Texas Senate approves bill that could reshape how history and race are taught in state universitiesAn overhauled version of Senate Bill 37 would also allow anyone to file complaints that could lead schools to lose funds.
More than 250 international students’ immigration statuses revoked across Texas universities
Read full article: More than 250 international students’ immigration statuses revoked across Texas universitiesThe people affected include a University of Houston professor from Korea who was teaching upper level math under a type of student visa that allows graduates to work in their field of study.
15 Texas A&M international students might have quietly lost their ability to stay in the U.S.
Read full article: 15 Texas A&M international students might have quietly lost their ability to stay in the U.S.The Trump administration has said it has revoked the visas of more than 300 international students across the country in the last three weeks.
Five ways a funding overhaul has transformed Texas community colleges
Read full article: Five ways a funding overhaul has transformed Texas community collegesMore than a year after Texas’ House Bill 8 took effect, some schools have offered free tuition, grown dual credit programs or helped students’ credits transfer when they move on to four-year schools.
Interim UT-Austin president seeks to walk fine line between faculty and lawmakers’ concerns
Read full article: Interim UT-Austin president seeks to walk fine line between faculty and lawmakers’ concernsJim Davis told professors he’ll share their concerns with lawmakers about proposals that would increase oversight on curricula and hiring. Elsewhere on campus, former UT-Austin President Jay Hartzell criticized the bills.
Texas A&M can’t ban “Draggieland” drag show, federal judge rules
Read full article: Texas A&M can’t ban “Draggieland” drag show, federal judge rulesJudge Lee H. Rosenthal said the student group that organizes Draggieland, the Queer Empowerment Council, was likely to succeed in showing the ban violates the First Amendment.
Texas’ DEI debate centers on a disagreement about whether programs perpetuate or prevent discrimination
Read full article: Texas’ DEI debate centers on a disagreement about whether programs perpetuate or prevent discriminationSupporters say diversity initiatives close educational and income gaps born from a history of prejudice. Republican officials say they prioritize identity over merit.
Texas faculty testify against bills to screen universities’ curriculum for “ideological” bias
Read full article: Texas faculty testify against bills to screen universities’ curriculum for “ideological” biasLawmakers say several bills under consideration Thursday would “address the unchecked authority of faculty.” They would expand university governing boards’ oversight powers.
Texas lawmakers seek to transfer University of Houston-Victoria to Texas A&M system
Read full article: Texas lawmakers seek to transfer University of Houston-Victoria to Texas A&M systemSen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, said Texas A&M is better positioned to grow the Victoria school and serve the region’s petrochemical and agriculture industries.
University of North Texas and Rice University under federal investigation for “race-exclusionary practices”
Read full article: University of North Texas and Rice University under federal investigation for “race-exclusionary practices”The Texas universities are among dozens accused of violating the law by partnering with a group that had sought to increase diversity in graduate programs.
Texas bill would increase oversight of universities’ hiring, curriculum and compliance
Read full article: Texas bill would increase oversight of universities’ hiring, curriculum and complianceSenate Bill 37 would create a state office to investigate complaints against universities and require governing boards to ensure courses don’t endorse certain ideologies.
In lawsuit settlement, Texas Tech’s med school promises it won’t consider race in admissions
Read full article: In lawsuit settlement, Texas Tech’s med school promises it won’t consider race in admissionsGeorge Stewart sued Texas Tech University Health Science Center and five other medical schools claiming they rejected him in favor of lesser qualified students of color.
Texas Tech officials trying to determine what caused explosion and fires that prompted campus closure
Read full article: Texas Tech officials trying to determine what caused explosion and fires that prompted campus closureA day after the incident in which green flames could be seen coming out of manholes, 40% of the university in Lubbock remains without power.
Texas A&M Board of Regents names Glenn Hegar as university system’s next leader
Read full article: Texas A&M Board of Regents names Glenn Hegar as university system’s next leaderHegar, who currently serves as Texas comptroller, will replace A&M Chancellor John Sharp in leading the 157,000-student system.
Part of pro-Palestinian student art exhibit at UNT removed amid antisemitism complaints by state lawmakers
Read full article: Part of pro-Palestinian student art exhibit at UNT removed amid antisemitism complaints by state lawmakersFive GOP lawmakers who targeted the exhibit also called for the cancellation of the “Palestinian Children and the Politics of Genocide” lecture, which is still scheduled.
Republican senators threaten not to boost Texas public universities’ funding over DEI ban
Read full article: Republican senators threaten not to boost Texas public universities’ funding over DEI banIn a letter, Sens. Brandon Creighton and Paul Bettencourt said they found “numerous” violations of the law, but didn’t provide specifics.
Texas Legislature proposes $400 million cut to higher ed as Dan Patrick threatens university budgets over DEI
Read full article: Texas Legislature proposes $400 million cut to higher ed as Dan Patrick threatens university budgets over DEIAt a public event last week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said higher ed would get less funding if they don’t “kick DEI out of their schools,” a few weeks after lawmakers proposed a massive cut to public universities.
Texas A&M regents may soon decide the university system’s next leader
Read full article: Texas A&M regents may soon decide the university system’s next leaderSources indicate the board has narrowed its search to five candidates: Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, Texas A&M Foundation President Tyson Voelkel, University of Alabama President Stuart Bell and state Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin.
In first full day leading UT-Austin, Jim Davis replaces chief academic officer
Read full article: In first full day leading UT-Austin, Jim Davis replaces chief academic officerDavis, who was named interim president one day earlier, replaced a provost who was named to the position by the university’s previous leader last month.
How a South Texas community college embraced apprenticeships to ease a growing nursing shortage
Read full article: How a South Texas community college embraced apprenticeships to ease a growing nursing shortageSouth Texas College in McAllen launched one of the first registered nursing apprenticeships in the country as area hospitals expect the need for nurses to increase.
Texas now has more top-tier research universities than any other state, report finds
Read full article: Texas now has more top-tier research universities than any other state, report findsThe designations come at a tumultuous time for universities as funding could be cut off and efforts to end tenure continue.
Texas universities could face funding cuts for health care research under new Trump administration policy
Read full article: Texas universities could face funding cuts for health care research under new Trump administration policyA federal judge blocked a new National Institutes of Health policy from going into effect in 22 states that sued the agency, but Texas wasn’t part of the suit.
UT-Dallas students launch alternative newspaper after clash with administration
Read full article: UT-Dallas students launch alternative newspaper after clash with administrationStudents at the university created their own news organization — The Retrograde — after they reached an impasse with administrators regarding oversight and the firing of the campus newspaper’s editor-in-chief.
Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdown
Read full article: Texas lawmakers may ban certain lessons at state colleges under expanded DEI crackdownLegislators are expected to take up a $360 million proposal that would change the landscape of financial aid in the state.
A mom, a student: How a San Antonio parent juggles school, work and child care for a better future
Read full article: A mom, a student: How a San Antonio parent juggles school, work and child care for a better futureOne in four Texas students is raising a child while getting a college degree. For Isabella Mapes, it has meant little sleep and, at times, a lonely journey.
Gov. Greg Abbott threatens Texas A&M president’s job over claim that university broke DEI ban
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott threatens Texas A&M president’s job over claim that university broke DEI banAbbott's comments came after A&M invited staffers and students to attend a conference that a conservative activist said broke the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
UT-Austin’s presidency goes vacant amid growing challenges for Texas public university leaders
Read full article: UT-Austin’s presidency goes vacant amid growing challenges for Texas public university leadersIn recent years university presidents have been facing growing political pressures, student and faculty pushback and an increasingly demanding job.
Texas Southern University offering financial aid help for families earning less than $125K
Read full article: Texas Southern University offering financial aid help for families earning less than $125KTSU’s Tiger Promise will cover tuition and other mandatory fees not covered by other federal or state aid and scholarships for eligible students in households earning less than $125K. Click the article to see how it works:
Texas has big goals for college completion. In places like the Coastal Bend, how to get there is still murky.
Read full article: Texas has big goals for college completion. In places like the Coastal Bend, how to get there is still murky.Many rural Texans in the region say they lack quality information on the skills required to get good jobs and build a lasting career.
Expanding college financial aid will help Texas meet workforce needs, new higher ed chief says
Read full article: Expanding college financial aid will help Texas meet workforce needs, new higher ed chief saysIn his new role, Rosser will be responsible for helping Texas meet its goal to increase the number of Texans ages 25 to 34 with a postsecondary credential to 60%by 2030.
Texas professors self-censor for fear of retaliation, survey found
Read full article: Texas professors self-censor for fear of retaliation, survey foundAt least a third of respondents at UT-Austin, UT-Dallas and Texas A&M said they’re not sure administrators at their universities protect free speech on campus.
Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing university professors’ influence. Here's how faculty shape their universities.
Read full article: Texas lawmakers are scrutinizing university professors’ influence. Here's how faculty shape their universities.Faculty senates have long played a key role in developing curriculum and protecting open inquiry. State leaders have also accused them of liberal indoctrination.
Community college “deserts” deter Texas students from getting a degree, report says
Read full article: Community college “deserts” deter Texas students from getting a degree, report saysBlack and Hispanic high schoolers who have to drive more than 30 minutes to a community college are less likely to pursue a degree, the report found.
A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strapped
Read full article: A tuition freeze without more state aid could leave Texas universities strappedRegional colleges rely more on tuition revenue to operate than flagship campuses. Gov. Greg Abbott’s desire to pause increases could create tight financial conditions.
A year into the job, Texas A&M president performs balancing act with growth, tuition, faculty and state leaders
Read full article: A year into the job, Texas A&M president performs balancing act with growth, tuition, faculty and state leadersStaff relations continue to be important for Mark Welsh III as he rebuilds trust after a hiring controversy and universities brace for legislation targeting faculty senates.
UT System expands free tuition and fees to all undergraduates whose families make $100,000 or less
Read full article: UT System expands free tuition and fees to all undergraduates whose families make $100,000 or lessThe Board of Regents is lifting the income threshold to expand eligibility across all nine of its UT System campuses.
Texas Tech wants permission to pay college athletes as a part of its recruitment efforts
Read full article: Texas Tech wants permission to pay college athletes as a part of its recruitment effortsState law prohibits schools from making direct name, image and likeness deals with athletes. Texas Tech says it puts them at a disadvantage as the university recruits athletes for fall 2025.
UNT faculty slam university for removing references to race and equity in course names
Read full article: UNT faculty slam university for removing references to race and equity in course namesProfessors and instructors say the university is preemptively censoring itself after administrators removed references to race and equity in dozens of College of Education course titles and descriptions.
Texas colleges pitch quick credentials as a first step toward higher wages. But students often fall off the path.
Read full article: Texas colleges pitch quick credentials as a first step toward higher wages. But students often fall off the path.Short-term certificates can only take a few weeks to get but don’t always lead to better earnings or higher degrees.
Gov. Greg Abbott wants to freeze tuition at Texas colleges and universities for another two years
Read full article: Gov. Greg Abbott wants to freeze tuition at Texas colleges and universities for another two yearsThe governor’s directive extends a tuition freeze for Texas’ public universities that was approved in the last legislative session.
Texas A&M regents overrule faculty, cut 52 “low-producing” programs including LGBTQ+ studies minor
Read full article: Texas A&M regents overrule faculty, cut 52 “low-producing” programs including LGBTQ+ studies minorAfter conservative criticism over the LGBTQ+ minor, university officials started looking at all its programs. Faculty say they were excluded from the process.
Texas State University condemns demonstrators who brought offensive signs to campus
Read full article: Texas State University condemns demonstrators who brought offensive signs to campusThe university is exploring potential legal responses after two men came on campus the day after the election with misogynistic and homophobic signs.
In South Texas, university students accuse Democratic county officials of suppressing their votes
Read full article: In South Texas, university students accuse Democratic county officials of suppressing their votesThe county decided to not have an early voting site at a Laredo university because of historic low turnout. It will have one on Election Day.
Texas judge accused of breaking law after asking his university students to vote for him
Read full article: Texas judge accused of breaking law after asking his university students to vote for himA candidate running against the judge accused him of emailing his students at Texas State to vote for him. State law prohibits using public resources for political advertising.
How a boom in East Texas high schoolers taking college classes is transforming Kilgore College
Read full article: How a boom in East Texas high schoolers taking college classes is transforming Kilgore CollegeHigh school students that are getting a jump on college through dual credit now make up the majority of students at one East Texas community college.
Nearly half of Texas high school students who earn college credits are Hispanic, study says
Read full article: Nearly half of Texas high school students who earn college credits are Hispanic, study saysDespite the group’s strong participation, Hispanic students graduate college at a lower rate than peers in the program, according to a report.
Texas students can now see which state public universities would accept them before they apply
Read full article: Texas students can now see which state public universities would accept them before they applyStudents can enter their class rank, grade point average, and standardized test scores to get a list of universities to which they’d be admitted.
Texas students with immigrant parents lost out on college aid because of FAFSA glitch
Read full article: Texas students with immigrant parents lost out on college aid because of FAFSA glitchThe glitch kept the students from submitting the form on time, which put them last in line to receive aid this year.
UT-Austin tightens automatic admission threshold to 5% of Texas’ top high schoolers
Read full article: UT-Austin tightens automatic admission threshold to 5% of Texas’ top high schoolersThe current threshold is 6%. The change comes after the university received a record-breaking 73,000 undergraduate applications for this fall.
GOP bid to remove polling sites from Tarrant County college campuses fails
Read full article: GOP bid to remove polling sites from Tarrant County college campuses failsCounty Judge Tim O’Hare said he proposed the cuts to save costs. Critics accused Republican leaders of suppressing the vote of young people who back Democrats.
Dan Patrick asks Senate to consider bills to unmask protesters, change runoff elections
Read full article: Dan Patrick asks Senate to consider bills to unmask protesters, change runoff electionsThe new list includes many right-wing priorities, and would escalate Republicans’ wars against diversity, equity and inclusion programs and review laws to keep noncitizens off voter rolls.
UT-Austin student’s lawsuit over arrest during pro-Palestinian demonstrations may proceed, judge rules
Read full article: UT-Austin student’s lawsuit over arrest during pro-Palestinian demonstrations may proceed, judge rulesAmmer Qaddumi alleges UT-Austin violated his First Amendment rights. He is also challenging his suspension from the university.
UT System prohibits its universities from making political or social statements
Read full article: UT System prohibits its universities from making political or social statementsThe new policy says universities should remain neutral on “issues of the day” while allowing students, faculty and staff to express their ideas.
College costs weigh heavily on Texas students as they wait on late financial aid offers
Read full article: College costs weigh heavily on Texas students as they wait on late financial aid offersDelays in the new FAFSA led students to take out debt, enroll in community college over their top-choice universities or opt out of going to college.
Queer students look for alternatives after Texas A&M ends transgender health care services
Read full article: Queer students look for alternatives after Texas A&M ends transgender health care servicesThe students saw the move as part of a political environment that has become increasingly hostile against LGBTQ+ people in Texas.
How a lack of supervisors keeps new mental health workers from entering the field
Read full article: How a lack of supervisors keeps new mental health workers from entering the fieldFuture Texas therapists must complete internships to start their careers, but there’s not enough providers to mentor all of the students.
North Texas colleges want to make transferring between schools easier, saving students time and money
Read full article: North Texas colleges want to make transferring between schools easier, saving students time and moneyThousands of Texas transfer students each year don’t get credit for some community college courses. The partnership seeks to address that.
Did FAFSA delays impact your decisions about college or housing? Share your story with us
Read full article: Did FAFSA delays impact your decisions about college or housing? Share your story with usThe delayed rollout of the new FAFSA caused many students to experience setbacks in receiving financial aid packages. If these delays impacted your college choices, The Texas Tribune wants to hear your story.
UT-Austin spares pro-Palestinian protesters from suspension, offers them probation instead
Read full article: UT-Austin spares pro-Palestinian protesters from suspension, offers them probation insteadSome students were relieved they were offered a type of academic probation that would allow them to remain in classes.