Texas Woman鈥檚 University won鈥檛 implement the tuition increase regents approved earlier this month. A spokesperson for the university said it would abide by the law.
And the law is Wednesday that he鈥檒l extend a statewide tuition freeze for two more years.
Days before, the TWU Board of Regents had to bump tuition up by $9 per credit hour.
Abbott sent a letter to public universities and colleges last week, making the case that state lawmakers have pumped resources into higher education.
鈥淭he State has made historic investments in higher education, including increased funding for universities and financial aid programs,鈥� Abbott wrote in his letter. 鈥淭hese 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 qualifications, and experience a higher quality of life. I will ensure 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鈥� public universities.
鈥淭exas Woman鈥檚 will comply with the governor鈥檚 directive to freeze tuition, and looks forward to working with the Legislature during the next session to address higher education funding to meet the critical workforce needs of the state,鈥� said Matt Flores, the university鈥檚 vice president of communications.
TWU is the newest university system in the state. The state Legislature in Texas in 2021.
However, TWU won鈥檛 have access to the Texas University Fund, a $3.9 billion endowment created by combining a one-time grant from the state鈥檚 budget surplus with the National Research University Fund, interest income from the Economic Stabilization Fund, and charitable contributions.
At the most recent meeting of the Board of Regents, TWU officials said that some student services would have to be reduced or eliminated if regents voted down the increase.
鈥淚t is too early to say what kind of impact freezing tuition next fall would have, as we will know more about state funding after the budget passes,鈥� Flores said.