By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-837903.mp3
Austin, TX – Legislative budget leaders have agreed to support an increase in the main financial aid program for needy college students. But KERA's Shelly Kofler reports the increase is less than many wanted.
------
The Texas Grants program pays college tuition and fees for needy students who have completed the recommended high school academic program. In recent years, however, the state has only provided enough money to award grants to half of those eligible.
This session House members adopted a 50 percent increase in Texas Grants funding. Senators supported an increase of about 20 percent. Following a closed Sunday night meeting the budget conference committee, with members from both chambers, voted for a compromise closer to the Senate's smaller increase. Dallas State Senator Royce West says the additional 23 percent in funding will allow some 60 percent of those eligible to receive Texas Grants.
West: Given all of the different priorities we had in terms of financial aid it's not as much as I wanted, but it's a reasonable amount in order to address the need that's out there.
The budget conference committee also recommended an increase in scholarship money for students graduating in the top ten-percent of high school classes.
A financial aid bill that would limit the increase in tuition and fees to five percent a year or the average cost of inflation is pending in the House, with just two weeks before the legislature goes home.