The University of Houston is the first public higher education institution in Texas to implement a major revision to the state's Academic Fresh Start law, giving more students the opportunity to earn a college degree.
Key Takeaways
- UH is the first public university in Texas to adopt the revised Academic Fresh Start law, which now allows students to waive grades and credits that are five years old or more, making it easier for them to pursue a degree.
- The change is expected to benefit millions of Texans with some college credit but no degree, increasing enrollment and strengthening the state's workforce and economy.
- Students must apply the waiver at the time of admission and cannot selectively choose which grades and credits to remove – all eligible coursework older than five years will be excluded.
The change, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature in April, allows Texas residents who are applying or re-applying to Texas public colleges or universities to remove credits and grades that are at least five years old from consideration for admission. Previously, only credits and grades that were 10 years old could be waived.
"Academic Fresh Start perfectly aligns with the University of Houston's mission to support student success and it also allows the University to broaden its reach and welcome even more Cougars who are determined to complete their degrees," said Diane Z. Chase, UH senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. "We are proud to be Texas' first university to offer countless students the fresh start they deserve, while supporting the higher education needs of our state."
The change to Academic Fresh Start, Senate Bill 365, was introduced in response to a student's complaint that despite successfully completing his associate's degree with honors, he was unable to transfer to a four-year program due to poor grades from eight years ago.
According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, approximately 5.4 million Texans aged 25 and older have some college credit but no degree. Lawmakers believe this change will not only increase enrollment numbers but boost the economy as well.
"I'm thrilled the University of Houston is leading the way on college access for Texans with the adoption of the new Academic Fresh Start policy we passed this session," said State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, a co-sponsor of the bill. "College doesn't have to be everyone's path, but the path should be open to everyone. More Texans will benefit from the opportunity to finish their academic journey as Cougars, going out fiercely into the workforce, earning more and contributing to the Texas Miracle."
Students who choose the Academic Fresh Start will not receive any credit for courses taken over five years ago and it is an all-or-nothing choice – students cannot pick and choose which credits and grades to waive. Additionally, students who request the waiver must do so at the time they apply for admission, and it can only be used one time.
