Relating to a student's eligibility to participate in the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
SB 895 modifies eligibility requirements for Texas's FAST program, which provides financial aid to students transferring from high school to college. The bill subjects indicate it touches home education in the context of higher education financing.
Why it matters: If FAST program eligibility is expanded or clarified to include homeschooled students, it could affect how homeschooling families access state financial aid for college enrollment.
Topic: esa_voucher_taxcredit · classifier confidence 65%
What this changes
Amends existing law
Law today: Texas Education Code Section 28.0095 established the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program, which allows eligible students enrolled in high school at school districts or charter schools to take dual credit courses at participating colleges at no cost if they are educationally disadvantaged. The program is funded through tuition reimbursement to colleges.
If passed: This bill expands FAST program eligibility to include students in private schools and homeschools. It requires school districts, charter schools, and private schools (including homeschools) to determine whether enrolled students meet the disadvantaged criteria, and directs the coordinating board to fund colleges for dual credit courses taken by eligible private school and homeschool students, using the same tuition rate applied to public school students.
AI-generated from the bill text — verify against the official text.
Likely supporters & opponents
Likely support
- School-choice and homeschooling advocates — Removes discriminatory exclusion of homeschool students from state-funded dual credit programs available to traditional public school peers.
- Colleges and universities participating in FAST — Expands the student population eligible for dual credit enrollment and ensures institutions receive reimbursement for private and homeschool students, increasing access and revenue.
Likely opposition
- Public school finance advocates — Redirects state funding intended for public school students to private schools and homeschools, potentially reducing resources available to traditional public school districts.
AI-inferred typical positions based on the bill’s substance — general stakeholder categories, not confirmed endorsements.
Should I support this?
Likely helpful for Christian families
This bill expands access to tuition-free dual credit courses for homeschooled students meeting the disadvantaged criteria, removing what was effectively a barrier to participation in a state financial aid program. It treats homeschool students equally with their public and charter school peers without adding regulatory burdens on homeschools themselves.
An AI assessment from a Christian-family perspective — religious freedom, parental rights, and freedom in education — not legal or voting advice.
Official summary
Relating to a student's eligibility to participate in the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) program.
Sponsors
- Bryan Hughes (R)
- Brent Hagenbuch (R)
- Adam Hinojosa (R)
Status timeline
- 2025-03-31Co-author authorizedS
- 2025-03-27Left pending in committeeS
- 2025-03-27Testimony taken in committeeS
- 2025-03-27Considered in public hearingS
- 2025-03-27Scheduled for public hearing on . . .S
- 2025-02-13Referred to Education K-16S
- 2025-02-13Read first timeS
- 2025-01-24FiledS
- 2025-01-24Received by the Secretary of the SenateS
H = House · S = Senate · A = Assembly