Message from the President: Fall/Spring Relief Package!
May 5, 2020
Dear Vaqueros:
I’m happy to announce that UTRGV is providing more relief for you!
Before I mention the great news, I want to make sure all of you are aware of and/or taking advantage of the relief efforts the university is providing now.
Summer Relief Efforts Underway
As I’ve said before, our top priority is to keep you safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. After that, we want to ensure this pandemic doesn’t negatively impact your progress toward obtaining your degree. We are focused on supporting your educational goals, and here is what is available now:
- Student Emergency Fund: We have awarded more than $600,000 directly to those of you facing financial hardship because of the pandemic. We will add additional funds from the university’s CARES Act allocation to the emergency fund, so we can assist even more of you now.
- Summer Relief Package: This package provides all eligible students who enroll in at least six hours by May 29 during the summer semester, $1,000 in tuition relief, a free Zone 2 parking pass, $100 VBucks and UTRGV swag. We are delighted that so many of you are taking advantage of this summer relief package.
- Student Employment: We are also making more student jobs available over the summer. We have set aside $3 million for summer employment at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Priority for summer employment will be given to students who are enrolled full time. You take care of your education, and we’ll take care of you through employment! For information on student employment, click here.
Fall and Spring Relief Efforts on the Horizon
UTRGV isn’t done supporting your educational goals!
I am happy to announce today our new Fall/Spring Relief Package, which will provide up to $1,500 in relief to eligible students. Here’s how it works:
- Fall Semester
- We will use CARES funds and other university funds to provide all eligible returning students with a cash grant of $500 to defray expenses (food, gas, rent, etc.) incurred while attending school during the pandemic.
- On top of that, UTRGV will use institutional funds for all returning students to match that cash grant with $500 in tuition balance relief (not fees) after current Federal and State aid (like Pell Grant and Texas Grant), scholarships, and other gift aid are applied. Any remaining tuition balance not covered by the above programs can be covered by the tuition relief package up to $500.
- Newly enrolled freshmen who graduated from high school in or after May 2020, who by law are not eligible for CARES funds, will also receive the $500 tuition balance relief from UTRGV (same restrictions apply) and a free Zone 1 parking pass!
- Spring Semester
- We will use our CARES funds and other institutional funds to provide all eligible returning students with a cash grant of $250 to defray expenses (food, gas, rent, etc.) incurred while attending school during the pandemic.
- Again, UTRGV will use institutional funds for all returning students to match that cash grant with $250 in tuition balance relief (not fees) after current Federal and State aid (like Pell Grant and Texas Grant), scholarships, and other gift aid are applied. Any remaining tuition balance not covered by the above programs can be covered by the tuition relief package up to $250.
- Newly enrolled freshmen who graduated from high school in or after May 2020, who by law are not eligible for CARES funds, will also receive the $250 tuition balance relief from UTRGV (same restrictions apply) and a free Zone 1 parking pass!
For more information on the Fall/Spring Relief Package, including FAQs, click here.
Please remember, we have no measure of success other than your success. Your progress toward your degree is crucial to us. Vs Up and Rally The Valley!
Sincerely,
Guy Bailey
President