The University has increased financial aid and accepted lower test scores, according to a report from the Associated Press’ David Mercer.

According to the report, the University increased financial aid by $5.4 million for the 2015-2016 academic year. Additionally, the average ACT score dropped for the first time in over ten years. This year’s freshman class averaged an ACT score of 28.28, compared to an average of 28.86, the year before.

The University’s enrollment of in-state students increased 11 percent with the current freshman class. Mercer reported the increase followed a push from legislators, members of the Board of Trustees and parents.

In September, the University reported record enrollment with a total of 76,166 students enrolled across the three University campuses. The University also reported a record-size freshmen class of 11,315 students. The same report stated that financial aid was increased to $84 million annually.

“We are committed to holding down student costs, while maintaining an uncompromising commitment to academic excellence that continues to attract the best and brightest students from across our state and around the world,” Killeen said in the September report.

[email protected]