The University of Texas System has announced a major expansion of its financial aid program that will provide free tuition and mandatory fees for students from families earning $100,000 or less annually. The new "Promise Plus" program, set to begin in fall 2025, will apply to all nine UT academic institutions across Texas.
The Board of Regents' Academic Affairs Committee gave initial approval to dedicate $35 million to launch this expanded aid initiative. Under the program, eligible Texas residents must enroll full-time in undergraduate programs and apply for federal and state financial aid to qualify.
This latest move builds upon UT's existing support programs. In 2019, UT Austin began offering free tuition to students from families making $65,000 or less. That benefit was later extended to all UT academic institutions in 2022.
"We will continue our work to provide an affordable, accessible education to all who choose to attend a UT institution," said Kevin P. Eltife, chairman of the Board of Regents. The expanded program is expected to help an additional 3,000 students access higher education without taking on debt.
The UT System, which serves 256,000 students, is already seeing positive results from its financial aid initiatives. According to Chancellor James B. Milliken, enrollment is growing while student debt levels are declining across UT institutions - a rare combination in American higher education.
"What is particularly gratifying is that the Regents are not only addressing immediate needs of our current students, but they are taking the long view, ensuring that future generations will continue to benefit from this remarkable program," Milliken noted.
The expansion positions the UT System as a leader in making college education more accessible and affordable for Texas families. As one of the largest public university systems in the United States, this initiative could serve as a model for other institutions working to reduce financial barriers to higher education.
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