In a groundbreaking move, the University of Texas (UT) System Board of Regents’ Academic Affairs Committee has approved a proposal to provide free tuition to undergraduates whose families have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $100,000 or less. This transformative initiative will begin in the fall of 2025 and, pending final approval by the full Board, will make the UT System one of the few institutions nationwide to offer such an extensive financial aid program.
Immediate Support and Long-Term Commitment
The new policy will be bolstered by a $35 million infusion of funds directly into the UT System's nine academic institutions. Additionally, the program will invest further in endowments to ensure this financial aid is sustainable for future generations.
“This is one of the most meaningful and rewarding actions the Regents will ever undertake,” said Kevin P. Eltife, chairman of the Board of Regents. “We are committed to ensuring students can attend a UT institution without accruing more debt, providing affordable, accessible education to all Texans.”
The initiative builds on previous efforts, including the establishment of the “Promise Plus” program. Launched in 2019, Promise Plus initially covered tuition and fees for students from families earning up to $65,000. By 2022, the program had expanded, supported by nearly $300 million in endowments, to include higher thresholds and broader coverage across all UT institutions.
Impact on Students and Families
The new $100,000 AGI threshold ensures tuition-free education for thousands of students at all nine UT academic institutions. This program also addresses student debt, which has been steadily declining at UT campuses. Over the past five years, the percentage of UT graduates with debt has dropped from 53.6% in 2019 to 47.8% in 2023, with the average student debt now 10% lower than at other Texas public four-year universities.
UT institutions have already seen significant impacts from Promise Plus. For example, UT El Paso expanded its no-cost tuition opportunities to an additional 450 students in 2022, while UT Rio Grande Valley now covers over 90% of its resident undergraduates, making it the largest program of its kind in Texas.
Leading the Way in Higher Education
Chancellor James B. Milliken highlighted the UT System’s leadership in making higher education both accessible and affordable. “The Regents are addressing immediate needs while taking the long view to benefit future generations,” Milliken said. “Enrollment is growing, and student debt is declining—an unusual trend in American higher education.”
The $35 million campus investment will come from endowment distributions, the Available University Fund, and other resources, providing immediate benefits to eligible Texans starting next fall.
Eligibility and Application
To qualify for the program, students must:
- Be Texas residents
- Enroll full-time in undergraduate programs
- Apply for applicable federal and state financial aid
The UT System’s new financial aid policy reinforces its commitment to providing high-quality, debt-free education to hardworking Texas families. This initiative cements the UT System as a leader in higher education access and affordability.