TEXAS - The average cost of a college education in Texas is $40,000. That’s more than double what it was in 2003.
- Cost of college education rising dramatically in Texas
- Schools opening food pantries to students
- Push underway to cap tuition at current levels
The rising cost has meant more state schools are opening up food pantries to help students in need.
"We've noticed that there is a growing need of college students that are hungry and being in a college town, we have been able to witness that, especially," said Mallory Best with the Hays County Food Bank.
Best said the need became so great, her organization teamed up with Texas State University to provide students free bags of food twice a week. About 125 students benefit from the food donations every week.
Anissa Perez is a freshman at Texas State.
"I know people that are actually living out of their cars because of the cost," Perez said.
She recently took out her first loan to begin paying for her education. Perez said she's worried about making ends meet.
It’s an all-too-familiar scenario for Rep. Mary Gonzalez, D-Clint.
Long before she was a lawmaker, Gonzalez said she worried about the Legislature's move to allow universities to set their own tuition rates.
"In 2003, when I was a college student, I came to the Capitol to testify and demonstrate what the impact of deregulating tuition would be on the college student,” Gonzalez said. “Now, I'm a legislator, and still in school by the way, and having to feel the effects of that."
So, Gonzalez is pushing a proposal this session to cap tuition at current levels unless the Legislature authorizes an increase.
University officials are pushing back. They fear the state won't pump more money in, leaving them to pick up the slack.
“I agree that we need to hold down the cost of higher education to students and their families,” said Texas Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes. “But the way to do that, if we’re going to cap tuition, is to fund at higher levels, because expenses at university and college campuses are continuing to increase.”
Paredes is also promoting an "outcomes-based funding" plan, as opposed to capping tuition like Gonzalez suggests. It would mean that state funding to universities would be based on student success.
Paredes said the Higher Education Coordinating Board also recommended a 6.6 percent funding increase over the next two years. So far, House and Senate base budget bills offer about a two percent increase.
Click the video link above to watch the full interview with Commissioner Paredes.