SAN ANTONIO, Texas —
As they put the finishing touches on their college application essays, many young Texans are unable to estimate how much aid they'll be eligible to receive during their quests for diplomas.
Lawmakers will soon have to tackle a funding crisis in the TEXAS Grant program, which is the main source of state financial aid.
Luis Figueroa, an attorney with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, is trying to persuade officials that if recent funding cuts are sustained, higher education will be out of reach for many.
"Texas is at a crossroads when it comes to college access. At the current rates, only 18 percent of new eligible students are projected to receive a TEXAS Grant. At this point, it's not a viable program."
Last year, 64 percent of eligible students were awarded grants. That was before lawmakers slashed TEXAS Grants by $62 million.
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, which administers the program, is telling legislators that, unless funding is restored, aid formulas will have to be restructured. One proposal actually increases the percentage of students receiving help, but spreads the money much more thinly. Figueroa says that would just tape over the problem.
"They're trying to spread the money around, but they're underfunding each student as a result. They are just plugging the holes where they can, and they're not plugging it even with strong duct tape - they're using Scotch tape at this point."
He calls the situation dire - not only for students, but for the future Texas economy. The state's emerging workforce, he explains, increasingly relies on low- and middle-income young Latinos who are the first in their families to pursue higher education - if they can afford it. Colleges and universities, he adds, risk losing their recruitment edge to institutions in other states.
Texas Representative Michael Villarreal (D-San Antonio) has been working with the higher education board on proposed fixes to the TEXAS Grant program. While he says reforms are necessary, he thinks without at least a partial restoration of funds, many young Texans will be forced to turn down invitations to attend college next fall.
"We have a choice to make: are we going to invest in them, because a brighter future for them means a brighter future for all of us? Or retrench and say, 'Nah, our best years are behind us - let's just shut the door on many deserving children.'"
Villarreal says money could be saved by pro-rating award amounts for less-than-full-time students. Other proposals lawmakers will likely consider in the upcoming Legislature include eliminating TEXAS Grants for transfer students and community colleges. Institutions with lower success rates may also receive lower levels of support.
Local News
State aid levels a mystery as Texans apply for college
- Local News
-
-
Altrusa International Inc. of Orange presents scholarship
The Altrusa International Inc. of Orange presented its a $500 scholarship to LC-M student, Victoria Elliott, second from left, on Tuesday at is final regular meeting of the 2012-2013 year.
-
Gnats, dead roaches lower score for Senor Toro
Senor Toro Mexican Restaurant located at 2308 Lutcher Drive in Orange, received a 70 out of a possible 100 during a recent health code inspection.
-
Update on Investigation on body found in Neches River
On Sunday May 5, 2013 at 6:00PM the Orange County Sheriff’s Office received a call in reference to a human body found in the Neches River near the Purple Heart Bridge.
-
Work begins on Vidor's Concord Road
Residents of Concord Road in Vidor may be willing to have their driving routines disrupted this week as the much needed road work begins.
-
'Everything came down on top of me'
Voices from the scene, compiled by reporter Michael Kinney.
-
Housing Authority Chairman resigns
City of Orange Council Member District 4 Mary McKenna announced her resignation as Chairman for the Board of Commissioners Housing Authority City of Orange during the 4 p.m. Housing Authority meeting on Tuesday.
-
Annual Memorial Day program set for Sunday
A long-standing tradition of honoring those who served and gave their lives in defense of their country will continue this Sunday afternoon in Orange.
-
Vidor church collecting items for tornado victims
A church with a reputation for helping those in need across the state is reaching out to its neighbors to the north.
-
Confederate park construction stalled but not stopped
Little has changed at the construction site for the Confederate Memorial of the Wind located near Interstate 10 and MLK in Orange since the end of April.
-
Sells for disposal passes and annual stickers for collection site begin
Orange County now has annual window stickers and disposal passes on sale at the Road and Bridge Office and at the Tax Office in Orange and Vidor.
- More Local News Headlines
-
