<\/p>\n
The exterior of Dallas College’s El Centro Campus in downtown Dallas on Nov. 14, 2025.<\/p>\n
Juan Figueroa\/Dallas Morning News<\/p>\n
Texas cannot afford its revised community college financing<\/a> plan, but higher education leaders assured lawmakers on Wednesday their schools will weather coming budget cuts.<\/p>\n Overall, community college leaders, speaking before the state Senate Committee on Higher Education<\/a> in Austin, lauded the performance-based funding program as a major success. They pointed to the increase in credentials earned and enrollment growth of 12% in the last two years.<\/p>\n Related<\/strong>: Student success could mean more money for Texas universities. Here’s the latest recommendation to lawmakers<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In 2023, Texas lawmakers switched to a funding model that rewards student success, allocating dollars based on how many students earned credentials or transferred to four-year universities.\u00a0<\/p>\n Student outcomes have exceeded what the state budgeted for.\u00a0<\/p>\n The community college funding formula went from $1.8 billion before the change to $2.4 billion now, far above what lawmakers anticipated, said Ray Martinez, president and CEO of the Texas Association of Community Colleges<\/a>. The state has a $1.2 billion cap on funding it can distribute to community colleges before the next legislative session.<\/p>\n To bring the program back within budget, the state\u2019s higher education board last week voted to cut funding for academically and economically disadvantaged students and adult learners over age 25. The change in funding from fiscal year 2026 to fiscal year 2027 is expected to decrease by about 6.5%, but changes vary for each college.<\/p>\n Related<\/strong>: What is the Classic Learning Test, and could Texas incorporate into college admissions?<\/a><\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Dallas College<\/a> is expected to see a decrease in funding of 2.8%, and Tarrant County College a decrease of 6.4%. Collin College is expected to see a 7.1% increase.<\/p>\n Other community college districts could lose over 15% of their current budget<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n College leaders at the committee meeting assured state lawmakers that this year\u2019s cut is a temporary blip and funding will stabilize in the coming years. Martinez requested the Legislature appropriate funds next year to offset this year\u2019s cuts and improve forecasting to avoid future shortfalls.<\/p>\n \u201cOur colleges are counting on a continued partnership with the Texas Legislature, just as you are counting on us to help Texas students enter the workforce,\u201d Martinez told Texas senators.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n