By News and Internal Communications

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JUNE 29, 2021 – Building on its efforts throughout the pandemic, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley has launched several initiatives aimed at providing students financial support for the upcoming Fall 2021 semester.

The initiatives, funded through both federal Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) awards and UTRGV institutional investments, are providing assistance in a variety of ways to help ensure all students have the opportunity to receive financial support this Fall.

“We continue to be focused on providing financial assistance to our students to help them overcome the economic impact of the pandemic,” said UTRGV President Guy Bailey.  “Helping to remove some of our students’ financial barriers has played an integral role in ensuring that they continue their educational journeys.”

Below is a list of the financial assistance programs in place for the fall semester, totaling more than $42 million in relief:

Student Debt Discharge

UTRGV will use HEERF funds to discharge debt owed by students who were enrolled between March 13, 2020, and March 16, 2021, and still had outstanding debt to UTRGV.

This debt discharge is either for an outstanding student account balance at UTRGV or outstanding UTRGV institutional loan (such as an emergency or short-term loan). Federal or private loans are not eligible for this program.

Overall, UTRGV will eliminate approximately $9.1 million in debt for 8,876 students.

 

Fall Liftoff

UTRGV will provide eligible students up to $1,000 in tuition and mandatory fees. To view the eligibility requirements or for more information, click here.

Overall, UTRGV will invest more than $10 million to help more than 24,000 students through Fall Liftoff.

 

Fall Cash Grants

UTRGV will continue to offer cash grants to all eligible students to meet financial needs. More information for fall will be provided soon. 

Overall, an estimated $20 million will be provided to 32,000 students.

 

Vaccine Incentive   As part of UTRGV’s efforts to keep its campuses safe as we return to normal operations this Fall, the university is using HEERF funds to incentivize students to fill out their Vaccine Portal. If a student completes the vaccine portal and also enrolls for the Fall by July 12, UTRGV will give that student $100 cash. Overall, UTRGV expects to disburse up to $3.2 million to 32,000 students through the vaccine portal program.