BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2231

By: Hinojosa, Adam

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill sponsor has informed the committee that college application fees alone can be a deterrent for prospective students. Such fees vary in Texas by school with undergraduate applications ranging from $25 up to $90 per application according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the bill sponsor has further informed the committee that students on average apply to between 5 and 10 schools in their senior year of high school. S.B. 2231 seeks to encourage and increase college applications by designating the second week of October as Free College Application Week for all public institutions of higher education in Texas to waive fees for undergraduate admission applications submitted during that period.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 2231 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to designate the second full week of October as Free College Application Week. The bill requires the THECB, during that week, to permit individuals in Texas to apply to any public institution of higher education for undergraduate admission without paying an application fee. The bill authorizes the THECB to adopt rules as necessary to implement the bill's provisions. The bill applies beginning with the 2025-2026 academic year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.