UT ARLINGTON TO GIVE FREE TUITION TO THOSE MAKING $25,000 OR LESS

The University of Texas at Arlington has announced a new financial aid package that will guarantee free tuition for undergraduate Texas residents with a family income of $25,000 or less.

The new program, the “Maverick Promise,” will become effective beginning fall 2007 and applies to students taking six semester hours or more, independent and dependent students, new and old students alike, including transfers, who receive a Federal Pell Grant, and who are admitted and complete the financial aid application process—including all required forms—by April 1. The University will pay the difference between the Pell award and total in-state tuition and mandatory fees.

“I often read surveys that tell us students choose not to go to college because they think it is only for the wealthy,” said UT Arlington President James D. Spaniolo. “The Maverick Promise sends a message to many students and their families that there is money available for college and that higher education can be affordable.”

New freshmen who meet the guidelines and maintain eligibility will receive Maverick Promise funding for a maximum of five years. New transfers who meet the guidelines and maintain eligibility will receive funding for up to three years. Currently enrolled students who meet the guidelines will receive Maverick Promise funding for a prorated period based on their current class standing, not to exceed four years.

Students may be eligible for additional funds through loans or the Federal Work Study program to cover additional educational expenses such as textbooks and room and board.
All students are encouraged to apply for assistance. Students who apply for financial aid after April 1 will be awarded grant assistance on a funds-available basis.

While UT Arlington can only guarantee grant assistance under the Maverick Promise, students whose family income exceeds $25,000 are still eligible for many other financial assistance programs. Right now, 52 percent of full-time undergraduates, 58 percent of new, full-time freshmen and 33 percent of part-time undergraduate students receive some form of need-based award. Those percentages increase with the addition of merit-based aid.

“It has long been a part of UT Arlington’s mission to reach out to first-generation college students,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dana Dunn. “And this program continues that tradition.”

In addition to the Federal Pell Grant, the Maverick Promise is funded by the tuition “set aside” established by the Texas Legislature.

“The legislature made an excellent decision when, as part of tuition deregulation, it set aside 20 percent of tuition increases to be used for financial aid,” said Spaniolo. “Without those funds, the Maverick Promise would be difficult, if not impossible.”
Other sources of funding for the Maverick Promise include the Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG), the Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), the National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART), Texas Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG).

To provide further support for students, UT Arlington also offers a $250 per semester ($500 per year) rebate for students who take 28 hours or more in the two long terms with a grade point average of 2.5 or better, and a $3 per semester credit hour discount if they pay their bill in full prior to the first day of class. A student taking 15 hours would get $295 worth of credit each semester if he did those two things. Since the rate for 15 hours is $3,250 for most students, the total discounts or credits amount to a 9 percent reduction in the total price.
“I am pleased to hear of UT Arlington's decision to offer the Maverick Promise,” said State Representative Diane Patrick. “I am proud to extend my support of this initiative to open the doors of higher education and provide students from low-income families the opportunity to further their education.”

For more financial aid information, visit the UT Arlington Office of Financial Aid Web site at http://www3.uta.edu/fao/portal/