H.B. No. 3041 is designed to improve the enrollment of students with nontraditional secondary education backgrounds in Texas public higher education institutions, particularly regarding their eligibility for financial assistance. The bill amends the Education Code, specifically Sections 51.803 and 51.9241, to allow The University of Texas at Austin to admit applicants based on standardized test scores instead of high school class rank. It also requires institutions to provide school districts with information about percentile ranks and benchmark test scores for automatic admission, promoting transparency for prospective students. Additionally, the bill ensures equal access to dual credit courses for all high school students and mandates the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to inform students about available financial assistance.

The legislation introduces new eligibility criteria for first-time freshman students, requiring them to enroll within 16 months of high school graduation, be Texas residents, and have received a TEXAS grant for the same academic term of application. It also specifies a method for calculating the class rank of students from nontraditional secondary education. The changes will take effect for admissions starting in the fall semester of 2026, with existing admissions and financial assistance rules remaining in place until then. The bill can take immediate effect if it secures a two-thirds majority vote from both legislative houses; otherwise, it will be effective on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 51.9241, Education Code 56.013, Education Code 56.304, Education Code 56.3041, Education Code 56.308, Education Code 56.484 (Education Code 56, Education Code 51)
House Committee Report: Education Code 51.9241, Education Code 56.013, Education Code 56.304, Education Code 56.3041, Education Code 56.308, Education Code 56.484 (Education Code 56, Education Code 51)
Engrossed: Education Code 51.9241, Education Code 56.013, Education Code 56.304, Education Code 56.3041, Education Code 56.308, Education Code 56.484 (Education Code 56, Education Code 51)
Senate Committee Report: Education Code 51.9241, Education Code 56.013, Education Code 56.304, Education Code 56.3041, Education Code 56.308, Education Code 56.484 (Education Code 56, Education Code 51)
Enrolled: Education Code 51.9241, Education Code 56.013, Education Code 56.304, Education Code 56.3041, Education Code 56.308, Education Code 56.484 (Education Code 56, Education Code 51)