Message from the President: Summer Relief!
April 10, 2020
Dear Vaqueros:
I can’t thank you enough for your resiliency.
I know many of you are experiencing hardships stemming from the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, but you continue to forge ahead because you truly believe in the power of higher education and the impact it can have on your future and the future of your loved ones.
That dedication and passion is admirable, and it inspires me and the rest of the university to do all we can to provide you relief as you continue your journey.
Based on the current status of the pandemic, modeling of its future progress, and our continued commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of our campus community, it will be necessary to move our Summer Semester online.
Rest assured that, with more time to prepare for this online transition than what we had for this spring, most of our online summer offerings will be taught asynchronously. That means students will be allowed to learn and complete their work on their own schedule.
Certain courses that can’t be delivered asynchronously, will be offered synchronously. That means students will have set schedules and time frames with instructors online at the same time.
Again, we’re here to support you. You must not let this crisis derail you — let’s work together so you can use it to become stronger!
Summer Relief Package
To help you continue your academic journey this summer during a time of extraordinary difficulty, we are announcing a Summer Relief Package. This package is available for ALL students - undergrad, graduate, transfer, and transient (non-UTRGV students) who have already enrolled or who enroll for summer classes by May 15th. Here are the details:
- Tuition Relief: Every student who enrolls in six hours in one summer session or over the course of both summer sessions is eligible for up to $1,000 to cover summer tuition if your current federal and state aid (like Federal Pell and Texas Grant), scholarships, and other gift aid does not cover your full tuition amount. Any remaining tuition not covered by the above programs will be covered by this $1,000 tuition relief. For example:
- If you pay completely out-of-pocket for summer tuition, you will receive $1,000 off your final bill.
- If your financial aid or other gift aid covers all but $750 of your summer tuition, this tuition relief will cover that $750.
- If your tuition is completely covered by financial aid or gift aid, you will not receive any relief.
- Free Zone 2 Parking: Every student who completes six hours in one summer session or over the course of both summer sessions will receive a free Zone 2 parking pass for the 2020-21 academic year.
- $100 Vaquero Bucks: Every student who completes six hours in one summer session or over the course of both summer sessions, will receive $100 in VBucks for the 2020-21 academic year. V-Bucks can be used to purchase meals and retail goods and services on campus.
- UTRGV Swag: Every student, who completes six hours in one summer session or over the course of both summer sessions, will receive a package of UTRGV swag delivered to their home.
- We’re Hiring: We are also making more student jobs available over the summer than ever before. All summer student employees will be required to complete at least six hours in one summer session or over the course of the summer. Student Employment Services will be sending a guidance memo to all students interested in Summer 2020 Employment early next week. You take care of your education, and we’ll take care of you through employment!
Find more information regarding the Student Relief Package by clicking here.
Committed To Student Success
I hope you’re as excited about the Summer Relief Package as I am. I know these are difficult and uncertain times, but I hope this announcement truly provides some comfort. We have no measure of success other than your success. Your progress toward your degree is crucial to us.
UTRGV is and will always be committed to Student Success, and part of that commitment is to be there for you when you need us most. That’s why we’ve developed this Summer Relief Package, and that’s why we decided to increase our Tuition Advantage program, which in the fall will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for qualified students with a family income of $95,000 or less. This is a $20,000 increase from our old plan.
Thanks again for your resiliency and hard work. Best of luck the rest of the semester.
Vs Up!
President Guy Bailey