Greg Abbott says he will not support tuition fee increases

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Gov. Greg Abbott said Wednesday he will not support any tuition increases at Texas colleges and universities for the next two years, continuing the current tuition freeze.

In a letter to public colleges and universities, Abbott said he spoke with all of the university system’s Boards of Regents, whose members agree with his position.

“The state has made historic investments in higher education, including increased funding for universities and financial aid programs,” Abbott wrote in his letter. “These efforts reflect our commitment to ensuring that higher education remains accessible and affordable for all Texans. When all Texans have access to quality and affordable education, they can earn better wages, meet workforce skills, and experience a higher quality of life. I will ensure , that college affordability remains a top priority for the state as we head into the next legislative session.

Last legislative session, lawmakers allocated an additional $700 million to the state budget for Texas’ public universities.

University leaders requested the extra funds at the beginning of the session and agreed to keep tuition flat for undergraduate students in the 2024-2025 budget cycle if the state provided the financial boost.

The average cost of participation for in-state students attending a public university is $28,724, including tuition and fees, housing, books and other costs. Tuition and fees average just over $10,200.

The Texas Tribune partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage.