Financial Assistance

Given the tuition and fee increases and the socioeconomic status of our student population, UTPA will continue to aggressively pursue every means of financial assistance that can be made available for our students. We are committed to ensuring the increases do not adversely affect access to higher education.

No Pell-eligible student will incur any out-of-pocket cost for the additional tuition and mandatory fees. Our neediest students (approximately 7,140) who are eligible for the full Pell Grant will have all of their tuition and mandatory fees covered by the Pell Grant. Somewhat less needy students (approximately 3,360) who are currently receiving partial Pell Grants will have any additional costs (up to $342 for a 15-hour course load) covered either by the financial assistance set aside or other grants and scholarships (Texas Grant, TPEG, SEOG, University Scholars and external scholarships).

Financial Assistance Set-Asides: With the tuition and fee increases, UTPA will be required for the first time to set aside amounts for need-based financial assistance (pursuant to Texas Educ. Code § 56.011 and 56.012). It is estimated that the financial set-asides generated by the designated tuition increases, including the excess credit hours tuition, will total $1.8 million in FY 2007 and an additional $1.2 million for FY 2008. Per statute, 5 percent of the resident undergraduate set-aside will be used for the "B-On-Time" Loan Program. UTPA will put the following need-based programs in place with the set aside funds:

• Graduate Tuition Grant: Approximately 194 graduate students who demonstrate financial need will be awarded grants of $500 each.
• Retention Scholarship: An award of $500 to 350 second-year students that completed at least 24 hours in the first year and have a 3.0 or greater GPA.
• Tuition Grant One: A grant for Pell students to cover the additional cost of tuition and mandatory fees. This will cover 4,550 of the neediest students and 3,776 who are somewhat less needy (receiving partial Pell Grants).
• Tuition Grant Two: A grant to assist students enrolled in summer sessions since most aid eligibility has been exhausted in the fall and spring semesters. The funds will be directed at those students in jeopardy of not meeting financial aid satisfactory academic progress (SAP).
• STARS Matching Scholarship: A matching grant for students receiving South Texas Academic Rising Scholars (STARS) awards. Scholarship recipients are chosen on the basis of academic achievement, personal strengths, leadership and financial need.

Other Financial Aid Programs: In addition to Pell Grants and the set asides of designated tuition, UTPA administers a broad range of financial aid programs that total $85 million per year. Programs include Texas Grants, Retention Scholarships, a University Scholars Program, an Emergency Loan Program and additional work-study match beyond that provided by the state among others.