THECB committee reviews 89th legislative session, highlights major investments in student aid, research and technology

Glenna Brune, associate commissioner for public affairs at the Higher Education Coordinating Board, briefed the board’s Agency Operations Committee on July 23 about policy and funding outcomes from the 89th Texas Legislature and related federal developments.

Brune told the committee that the Legislature funded several of THECB’s priority “exceptional items,” including $400,900,000 for research and innovation, $15,000,000 for data and technology modernization, and $320,000,000 in additional student financial aid — “a 22% increase over the prior biennium,” she said. “This session's resulting strategic investments show that legislators and leadership are serious about account accessibility, predictability, and transferability in higher education,” Brune said.

The funding package includes direction and program changes staff said are intended to increase predictability for students and expand aid portability. Brune summarized several specific program changes: guaranteed state financial aid for eligible high‑school graduates in the top 25% of their class; continued…