San Antonio Program to be Used Statewide

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — A state law taking effect this year requires Texas public schools to instruct students on how to pay for higher education.

The push to increase financial literacy comes amid rising college tuition costs, with degrees becoming so expensive that they sometimes keep students from applying.

The San Antonio Express News reports (http://bit.ly/TvE90W ) Wednesday that a pilot program at San Antonio Independent School District is already teaching students to prepare financially for college.

The program's goal is to get every high school senior to fill out an application for federal student aid.

Officials say the San Antonio program could be a blueprint for other school districts, especially as House Bill 34 takes effect.

Approved in 2011, the measure is one of many aiming to bolster the students' financial competency.