Overview
- Gov. Greg Abbott sent a letter on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, directing all Texas public two- and four-year colleges and health-related institutions to keep undergraduate tuition and mandatory academic course fees flat for the 2026–27 academic year.
- The freeze, which began in 2023, affects more than 1.5 million Texas resident undergraduates and is backed by state investments including more than $680 million in 2023 for community college funding reforms and $328 million added for student aid in the 2025 budget cycle.
- The governor’s directive does not explicitly distinguish academic fees from non-academic mandatory fees, creating immediate uncertainty after some system boards approved or proposed hikes for items such as athletics, student services, medical and advising fees.
- Campus leaders say institutions face rising costs for utilities, personnel and student services and some systems have approved fee changes to fund student health and mental-health needs, so colleges are finalizing budgets amid the directive.
- Abbott signaled he will work with the Texas Legislature next session to make the freeze longer term, setting up political and budget decisions that will determine whether the policy is codified or if institutions gain flexibility on non-academic fees.