Committee hears enrollment gains credited to Promise Plus and raises housing, textbook concerns

Senators and system leaders discussed a reported rebound in higher-education enrollment across the state since the pandemic, with Committee Chair and witnesses citing percentage increases by racial group and multiple system presidents attributing part of the growth to Promise Plus and other legislative actions. "We're seeing enrollment growth everywhere," the UT chair said, noting capacity constraints at some campuses.

Senator West asked whether Promise Plus could be expanded to cover textbook costs; UT and A&M officials said their first priority had been tuition and mandatory fees and that housing, not books, has been the more pressing problem at flagship campuses. Several presidents and chancellors described outreach and transfer-pathway initiatives to sustain growth and urged improved transparency in financial aid packaging to help students understand multi-year costs.