Panel hears bill to let institutions shorten transcript look‑back for returning students

Senate Bill 365 would allow each institution of higher education in Texas to set its own transcript look‑back period between five and ten years, giving applicants the option to waive older academic records. Senator Eckhart laid out the measure and said the change aims to reduce a barrier for Texans over age 25 who wish to re-enroll in undergraduate programs.

Senator Eckhart told the committee that since 2021 the number of Texans older than 25 enrolled in undergraduate education had fallen “by nearly 10%,” and that previous academic records are frequently cited as a barrier to reenrollment. He said the bill would let institutions choose a look‑back period between five and ten years, require posting the policy publicly, and require institutions to submit the policy to the coordinating board.

A returning student, Daniel Arevalo, testified in favor and described his experience: “Prior to being an honors student at Austin Community College, I was a college dropout... I applied to the University of Houston, but was rejected because of what was at that time, that 8 year old transcript, GPA that weighed down my new 1 below the 2.25 minimum required for admission and below the 2.15 minimum required for individual review.” Arevalo said the bill would give students in similar situations “a second chance.”

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the current law and the bill’s mechanics. A clarification from the chair noted current law already permits waiving transcripts older than 10 years; the bill allows institutions to adopt a shorter look‑back (between five and ten years). With no additional public testimony, the committee closed testimony and left the bill pending.