UTRGV Tuition Advantage

UTRGV Tuition Advantage (graduate smiling on commencement day)

COVID-19 (coronavirus) is creating an environment of unprecedented uncertainty. At UTRGV, we believe that earning your degree should never be uncertain. We are committed to helping you pursue education, without fearing the unknown. 

As always - and especially now - UTRGV understands the importance of supporting our students and families by making the university experience more affordable.

We are proud to announce an expansion of the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant. Launching in Fall 2020, this program will now cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for students with a family income of $95,000 or less**.

Learn more about the Tuition Advantage grant below to see if you qualify.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria Table

First Time Freshman Student

Readmitted Student

New Transfer Student

Continuing Student

$95K Family Income or Less

$95K Family Income or Less

$95K Family Income or Less

$95K Family Income or Less

Financial Need 

Financial Need 

Financial Need 

Financial Need 

Minimum 19 ACT or 990 SAT or Top 10% of HS Class

Minimum 2.5 UTRGV GPA

Minimum 2.5 Overall GPA

Minimum 2.5 UTRGV GPA

Admitted to UTRGV by May 1st

Admitted to UTRGV by May 1st

Admitted to UTRGV by May 1st

N/A

*FAFSA/TASFA completed by May 1st

*FAFSA/TASFA completed by May 1st

*FAFSA/TASFA completed by May 1st

*FAFSA/TASFA completed by May 1st

Texas Resident

Texas Resident

Texas Resident

Texas Resident

Enrolled 15 Semester Credit Hours or more by deadline

Enrolled 15 Semester Credit Hours or more by deadline

Enrolled 15 Semester Credit Hours or more by deadline

Enrolled 15 Semester Credit Hours or more by deadline

Covers:  Tuition and Mandatory Fees  

Covers:  Tuition and Mandatory Fees  

Covers:  Tuition and Mandatory Fees  

Covers:  Tuition and Mandatory Fees  

*Based on fund availability per academic year and awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

**Tuition and mandatory fees for students with an adjusted family income of $95,000 or less will be covered by Tuition Advantage up to available unmet financial need. For an explanation of unmet financial need please refer to our FAQs section below.

FAQs

  • What is the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant?

    The UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant is the university's commitment to making higher education more accessible. Starting Fall 2020, students who qualify for this program will have tuition and mandatory fees fully covered.  UTRGV understands the importance of providing financial assistance for students with unmet financial need. UTRGV strives to provide transparency and facilitate mutual understanding regarding all awards and responsibilities involved through assured financial aid assistance.

  • Did UTRGV have a program similar to the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant prior to Fall 2020?

    Yes, the UTRGV Achieve grant was developed in the Fall of 2016 to assists students with a family income of $50,000 or less.

  • How does UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant work?

    The UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant is a program designed to cover tuition and mandatory fees by first utilizing federal and state aid, like Federal Pell and Texas Grant, scholarships and other gift aid.  Any remaining tuition and mandatory fees not covered by these programs will be covered by the Tuition Advantage.

  • If I am a new student seeking the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant, do I need to have an admission application on file with UTRGV?

    Yes, if you are a new freshman or transfer student, you must have submitted the appropriate ApplyTexas Application and been admitted to UTRGV by the May 1 deadline.

  • How do I Apply for the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant?

    Whether a new Freshman, Transfer Student, or a current UTRGV student, you need to complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid)  by May 1st**.  All students who meet this deadline will automatically be considered for the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant.

    **Please Note: If your FAFSA/TASFA application is selected for verification or you are under a verification review, your verification file must be completed and finalized by the financial aid office by May 1st. It is important to submit your verification documentation timely to allow the financial aid office to review and complete your file by May 1st.

  • How much financial assistance will I receive with the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant?

    For eligible students with a family income of $95,000 or less, tuition and mandatory fees will be covered through grants, scholarships and/or additional UTRGV financial aid. A student’s expected family contribution (EFC), as determined by the US Department of Education, is included in the Tuition Advantage calculation and may impact the award amount. A students EFC has the ability to reduce Financial Need. For an explanation of Financial Need please refer to our FAQ’s under the question, ‘What is Financial Need?’.

  • Are awards associated with the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant renewable?

    Yes, as long as your family's income is $95,000 or less and you meet the renewal eligibility requirements.  Renewal of your UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant is contingent on your annual FAFSA/TASFA submission and maintaining Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).

  • Are transfer students eligible for the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant?

    Yes, transfer students new to UTRGV are eligible as long as the overall GPA is greater than 2.5 and all transfer eligibility requirements are met.

  • If I am currently receiving the Achieve Grant, will I continue to receive it?

    The UTRGV Achieve Grant will be available for eligible students during the 2019-2020 academic year.  The UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant will replace the UTRGV Achieve Grant starting Fall 2020 for eligible students.

  • If I am a Graduate Student, am I eligible for the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant?

    The UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant is for students seeking an undergraduate degree.  Undergraduate students must be working toward the completion of their first undergraduate degree and meet the eligibility criteria.

  • If I am currently enrolled at UTRGV, am I eligible for the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant?

    Currently enrolled undergraduates working on their first bachelor’s degree are eligible for the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant.  Students currently enrolled at UTRGV must meet the Continuing Student eligibility criteria.

  • Who is a Readmitted Student?

    A Readmitted Student is an undergraduate degree-seeking student who previously attended UTRGV, but has not enrolled at UTRGV for two consecutive fall or spring semesters. An application for readmission is required and you must be readmitted by May 1st to be considered for the Tuition Advantage Grant. Readmit students must meet the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements AND have a minimum GPA of 2.5 from UTRGV. Note: Tuition Advantage is only available to students seeking first bachelor degree. Second degree-seeking and Graduate and Professional students do not qualify.

  • What is Financial Need?

    Financial Need is the difference between the cost of attendance and the expected family contribution. (Financial Need = COA – EFC).

  • What is Unmet Financial Need?

    Unmet Financial Need, sometimes referred to as a gap, is the difference between Financial Need and the student’s need-based financial aid awards. (Unmet Financial Need = Financial Need – Financial Aid).

  • What fees are not covered by the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant?

    Late payment fees, late registration fees, excess credit hour fees, class repeat fees, drop fees, and any fees for auxiliary services, such as parking or citation fees; are not covered by the UTRGV Tuition Advantage.

  • Will UTRGV Tuition Advantage pay for my meal plan and residence hall charges?

    The UTRGV Tuition Advantage program is designed to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees not covered by other federal or state aid and scholarships.  Meal plans and residence hall charges are not considered tuition and mandatory fees and will not cover these charges.

  • Is there a Fall enrollment deadline for Continuing or Readmitted students awarded UTRGV Tuition Advantage?

    Continuing and Readmitted Students must be enrolled in 15 hours for the Fall term no later than May 1st.   All other eligibility criteria must have been met by the deadlines outlined in the table above to qualify for UTRGV Tuition Advantage.  Please Note: Tuition Advantage is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and fund availability.

  • Is there a Fall enrollment deadline for First Time Freshman and New Transfer students awarded UTRGV Tuition Advantage?

    First Time Freshmen and New Transfer students must be enrolled in 15 hours for the Fall term no later than July 15th. All other eligibility criteria must have been met by the deadlines outlined in the table above to qualify for UTRGV Tuition Advantage. Please Note: Tuition Advantage is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and fund availability.

Scenarios:

  • Anabel Hernandez – No Tuition Advantage Award – Family Contribution

    UTRGV Vaquero #1 – Natalie Garcia – Awarded Full Tuition Advantage
    Natalie plans to enroll in 15 hours in both the Fall and Spring. Her Family Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is $95,000 or less. For Fall 2020-Spring 2021, the average budget of attendance at UTRGV is $15,896 ($7,948 Fall/$7,948 Spring), and Guaranteed Tuition is $8,132 ($4,066 Fall/$4,066 Spring). She completed her FAFSA by the deadline and has an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $7,764. According to these figures, Natalie will have her tuition and fees fully covered by UTRGV Tuition Advantage.

  • Jonathan Williams – Awarded Partial Tuition Advantage

  • Jose Garza – No Tuition Advantage Award – Grants and Scholarships

  • Natalie Garcia – Awarded Full Tuition Advantage