A lot of students are now being accommodated by the UT System after expanding the free tuition grant to garner more students to get through college without much debt burden according to a Dallas Morning News article from March 18. In it they say,
“Financial challenges should never stand in the way of any Texan who wishes to earn a high-quality UT degree,” said UT System Chancellor James Milliken in a statement.
The UT System Board of Regents approved the creation of a $300 million endowment in February to help more students through college with the Promise Plus program that expands tuition assistance programs at seven UT institutions.
UT-Dallas’ Comet Promise program currently covers tuition for students whose adjusted gross family income is less than $25,000. The endowment is expected to generate about $1.5 million for the school — which will raise its threshold to $65,000. Officials estimate UT-Dallas will be able to help about 170 additional students — for a total of more than 1,200.
“We need to do more to ensure students can afford to earn a degree and aren’t burdened with debt when they graduate,” Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife said in a statement.”
Meanwhile, UTA will also have a more comprehensive initiative called Blaze Forward to help students whose families are in tight budget especially after the pandemic according to an NBC 5 DFW news article from March 16 which reports,
“Under a new program, Blaze Forward, tuition and fees for new students will be covered for up to four years and transfer students who have completed their associate’s degree will be covered for two years. Under the program, current students whose family incomes are below $85,000 will have their costs covered for their remaining time for on-time graduation.
“We want to make a UTA education even more attainable and give strong financial assurances to families and students in need,” interim president Teik C. Lim said in a press release. “By devoting more of our resources toward the success of our students, we’re investing in the future of our University, and in the promise and potential of thousands of talented current and future Mavericks from North Texas and beyond.”
Under the new program, UTA expects over 4,000 students to qualify in the coming year and is expected to cover 4,600 students eventually. Funding for the Blaze Forward program comes from UTA funds, federal and state grants and a new allocation from the University of Texas System.
“The University of Texas at Arlington serves as a beacon for thousands of Texans working to improve their lives through academic excellence,” Troy Johnson, vice president for enrollment management said. “Launch of the Blaze Forward program means even more students will have the opportunity to experience the transformational power of a UTA education.”
Students who will be eligible for the funding are especially catered to students who will meet these requirements: (1) full-time students, (2) Texas Residents, and (3) need for financial assistance.
