Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

10/21/2026

A record number of students took advantage of Free College Application Week. Families saved their hard-earned money as students embark on their paths to success!

Read more about the numbers at the link below:

https://www.highered.texas.gov/texas-students-embrace-free-college-application-week-in-its-second-year/.

10/16/2026

We had a great meeting with Transfer Liaisons from across Texas this week!

Every public college and university has a transfer liaison, and they work to make sure transfer processes work smoothly at their institutions and help students transfer between institutions with minimal credit loss – which minimizes their time to graduation and saves them money.

Transfer streamlining is a key to boosting student success in our mission to build a Talent Strong Texas.

10/13/2026

Free College Application Week is here! 🙌 This week, October 12-18, all application fees are waived for Texas residents applying for undergraduate or transfer admission to any public Texas college or university. Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity – learn more about Free College Application Week at the link below:

https://www.highered.texas.gov/free-college-application-week/

09/25/2026

This week, we had the pleasure of hosting our third cohort of Open Educational Resource (OER) Fellows, a group of leaders helping expand access to high-quality, affordable learning across Texas higher education.

OER can save students millions of dollars in textbook costs, helping reduce financial barriers and supporting students to engage, persist, and succeed in their educational pathway. Our Fellows take that impact even further by mentoring colleagues, creating and expanding OER, and building a culture and capacity for open education within their institutions and across the state.

We are grateful for their leadership, vision, and commitment to Texas students!

Explore OERTX for access to high-quality resources being used across Texas institutions: https://oertx.highered.texas.gov/

09/23/2026

Great news from the nation's capital! Six short-term college programs in Texas have been approved to help students quickly gain skills for high-demand, high-wage jobs in our state. It will benefit students, families and communities across Texas!

Today, ED approved six new Workforce Pell Grant programs in Texas, making the Lone Star State the fourth in the nation to receive program approvals!

Learn more here: https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-approves-workforce-pell-grant-programs-texas

09/21/2026

Higher EDge 2026 is just a few months away—and the deadline for early bird registration is approaching!

Join us December 8-9 in Austin for two days of conversation, collaboration, and shared learning with leaders across education, workforce, business, philanthropy, nonprofits, and communities throughout Texas.

This year’s conference will focus on the partnerships and pathways that help unlock student potential, expand access to education and career opportunities, and prepare more Texans for meaningful careers.

Register by October 1 for the early bird rate : https://2026higheredge.vfairs.com/

Early bird registration: $475

Standard registration: $525

09/17/2026

Texas is awarding more degrees and certificates than ever before! Every additional credential represents a student who is better prepared to enter the workforce, support their family and contribute to our state's dynamic economy.

09/10/2026

Check out this map. The number of Texans ages 16-24 is larger than the total populations of 21 different states.

Talk about a strong potential workforce pipeline!

It's a great opportunity for us to help more young Texans acquire the education and training skills they need to fill high-demand jobs and power our state’s economic growth.

09/09/2026

Registration for Higher EDge 2026 is now open!

This year's conference, Texas Talent Rising: Where Student Potential Meets Economic Possibility, will explore how higher education can unlock student potential, strengthen our workforce, and drive Texas's continued economic success.

Join us December 8-9 in Austin for two days of conversation, collaboration, and shared learning focused on expanding pathways to opportunity and building a more prosperous future for all Texans.

Register today: https://2026higheredge.vfairs.com/