Austin, Texas – The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) has been awarded a $250,000 grant as one of the winners of The Great Admissions Redesign competition, sponsored by Lumina Foundation. The grant is aimed at supporting the design and development of the Direct Admissions Pathway.

The Pathway, which will be integrated into My Texas Future, a comprehensive advising tool for Texans looking to pursue higher education, will notify students when they receive direct admission to participating institutions. Students can input their class rank and SAT/ACT scores as early as the end of their junior year of high school to see where they are admitted without the need to complete a traditional application process.

Commissioner of Higher Education Harrison Keller expressed gratitude for the grant, stating, "Thanks to this generous planning grant, we can accelerate our work to make the college admissions process more efficient and effective for Texas students." The collaboration with Lumina Foundation is seen as vital in helping more Texas students achieve their educational aspirations and meet the demands of the state's growing economy.

Melanie Heath, strategy director for Lumina, highlighted the importance of inclusivity and efficiency in the admissions process, noting, "As a winner of The Great Admissions Redesign, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board exemplifies leadership in streamlining procedures and promoting inclusivity, ensuring all students have equitable opportunities to pursue their educational goals."

In addition to THECB, other grant recipients of the competition include educational institutions and boards from various states, such as Illinois, California, Arizona, Louisiana, Washington, and Kentucky. Lumina Foundation awarded a total of $3.1 million in grants to the seven selected winners, recognizing their commitment to reimagining and enhancing the college admission process.