By University Communications
Wednesday, 07 26 2023

SAN ANTONIO — In its most recent regular session, the 88th Texas Legislature invested $73.1 million in Texas A&M University-San Antonio for the 2024/25 biennium to help ensure the University remains affordable and accessible to all Texans. This amount marks an 11 percent increase, or $7.5 million, compared to 2022/2023 funding.

Included in the $73.1 million Affordability Package is $2.2 million to help support the Hazlewood Legacy Program. First passed by the Texas Legislature in 1923, the program authorizes eligible veterans to transfer unused hours of exemption eligibility to his/her children under certain conditions, exempting them from paying tuition and certain fees at public institutions of higher education in Texas.

In addition, the $73.1 million also includes $4.2 million earmarked for Comprehensive Regional University (CRU) funding, which provides ongoing performance-based funding for at-risk students graduating from CRUs. According to the 88th Legislature, CRUs educate approximately 40 percent of the state's university students.

“This new legislative investment marks a huge commitment by the state to higher education,” said Dr. Linda Schott, interim president of Texas A&M University-San Antonio. “The increase in funding provides a remarkable opportunity for A&M-San Antonio to advance critical programs like Hazlewood Legacy and achieve its educational goals. It also helps keep the University affordable and accessible to a growing student body and in the process bolsters San Antonio’s workforce and economy.”

A&M-San Antonio’s 2024/25 funding is part of the 88th Legislature’s overall $701.5 million investment in the Texas A&M System, intended to help Texas meet its critical workforce needs. As a result of the legislative investment, higher education institutions will be able to hold resident undergraduate tuition and mandatory academic fees flat for the upcoming biennium.

Here is a breakdown of the Legislature’s investments into the Texas A&M system:

· $263.8 million to invest in the classroom at the universities and ease the pressure on tuition and fees for students and families.

· $71.5 million CRU funding to provide ongoing performance-based funding for at-risk students graduating from CRUs

· $187.9 million to fund the Hazlewood Legacy program

· $159.7 million to fund group insurance for higher education employees

###

About Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Established as a stand-alone university in 2009, Texas A&M University-San Antonio is a comprehensive four-year public university that reflects the culturally diverse, heritage-rich community it serves. Situated on nearly 700 acres in South San Antonio, the University offers 37 undergraduate degrees and 19 graduate degrees to more than 7,300 students. A&M-San Antonio is home to the Henry G. Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders and the Cyber Engineering Technology/Cyber Security Research Center. The University holds the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation and is one of only 30 higher education institutions in the U.S. to have received the Seal of Excelencia certification from Excelencia in Education for its support of Latino student success. More than 77 percent of A&M-SA students identify as Hispanic, and approximately 60 percent are the first in their family to attend college. A&M-San Antonio is a military-embracing institution; in 2020, Military Times ranked the University No. 35 in the nation for “Best for Vets: Colleges.” Visit tamusa.edu for more information. #onamission