Community colleges brace for local cuts after Texas funding shortchanges them millions
Summary
Texas community colleges are facing budget cuts because the state cannot pay them all the money they earned through a funding formula tied to student success. College leaders warn this shortfall will affect faculty salaries, advising services, and the investments needed to help students.Key Facts
- Texas community colleges earned more money than state projections predicted based on student outcomes.
- The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board reduced payments to colleges to stay within the state’s budget.
- Nearly a dozen colleges face more than a 15% drop in state funding.
- Colleges have limited options to cover the shortfall, as tuition and fees have remained flat.
- Some colleges plan to spend more money than they receive this year to maintain services.
- The funding formula was created by House Bill 8 to reward colleges for outcomes like degree completion and university transfers.
- Lawmakers and state officials acknowledge the funding forecasts were off and expect better accuracy as more data is collected.
- Colleges are cautious about using this funding for permanent staff because payment levels may change suddenly.
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