Villarreal Makes the Case For Investing In TEXAS Grants

Friday, March 13, 2009

Joins LBB in Presenting Link Between Grants and Student Success to Appropriations Subcommittee

Austin - Today Rep. Mike Villarreal along with analysts from the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) gave a presentation to the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education describing the impact of receiving a TEXAS Grant award on a student's persistence and success in college. Rep. Villarreal, a member of the subcommittee, directed the research presented today.
 
"This analysis proves something we've known from our own personal experiences, money matters and TEXAS Grants works," said Villarreal. 
 
The analysis makes the case for increasing the state's investment in TEXAS Grants:
 
  • The increases in persistence and success associated with receipt of a TEXAS Grant compare favorably to increases associated with the following:
o        Graduating under the Distinguished Achievement Plan rather than under the Recommended High School Plan;
o        An increase in SAT score of 350 points;
o        A 30 percentile change in high school ranking;
o        An increase in income that raises a student’s federally calculated Expected Family Contribution by $3,500 per year.
 
"These findings are significant," said Villarreal. "Students who might not succeed are advancing with the support of TEXAS Grants."
 
###