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ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) -House Bill eight is changing the landscape of funding for community colleges in the state of Texas after it passed unanimously through the house and the senate.

House bill eight will set aside six-hundred eighty-three million dollars to be distributed to community colleges based on student outcome.

The old formula was based on the total of hours of student enrollment.

Now it will depend on the student earning the degree or transferring to a four-year school.

“Definitely allowing us to look at our credentials and make sure our credentials and degree are of value, so the goal is to ensure the students are transferring.” said Associate Vice President of Continue Education at Odessa College Tiffany Price.

Midland college received eight point three million dollars this year.

Odessa college will receive fourteen point one million dollars this year.

Last year they earned nine point eight million dollars.

That’s a forty three percent increase with the new funding model.

“It helps us to align what we do with those jobs. It’s very crucial that we meet with our industry partners to be able to find out what those needs are.” said Dean School of Business at Odessa College, Dr. Gene White Jr

The new funding formula will help schools to keep students on track to graduate and be hired at one of many high demand jobs in the Permian basin.

“The jobs in our area tend to be high skilled jobs. They require a lot of technical training, preparation, and hands-on preparation so it is critical when they graduate from us, they are preparing to go straight to work.” said Midland College Chief of Staff Dr. Deana Savage.

Both Odessa college and Midland college are planning to use the funds for their students and to renovate their school.

Midland college has received all of its funding from house bill eight.

Odessa college already received fifty percent of the funding and they will earn the rest in June.