Relating to the establishment of a housing assistance pilot program to assist certain students enrolled in public junior colleges.

SB 1324 establishes a pilot program providing needs-based grants to help eligible students at public junior colleges with housing costs, including rent, deposits, and eviction prevention. It directly affects students enrolled at participating junior college districts with 40,000 or more students, using FAFSA data to determine eligibility. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will administer the program through a new housing assistance fund, requiring annual reports on effectiveness and recommendations for continuation by 2029. The program expires September 1, 2029, and applies starting the 2025-2026 academic year.