College tuition has always been a fun topic, especially recently for presidential candidates. Tuition fees have risen rapidly since the beginning of this century. Since 2000, tuition at public four-year colleges has increased by 78%. In addition to this, reduced access to affordable housing and rising costs of living are putting a strain on college students.
That information is not new to the average college student. The University of Texas System, like other public universities across the country, has taken steps to lower tuition costs. Universities are committed to covering tuition costs, and students below a certain household income graduate with little or no debt. In 2022, the UT System approved “Promise Plus,” a $300 million endowment that will fund “free tuition” funds at various branch schools.
UTSA prides itself on being the most affordable public university in the state compared to giant universities like Texas A&M and UT. All branches of the UT System have tuition programs that cover the cost of tuition, with varying regulations regarding the income levels and types of students they offer the programs to.
Unique to UTSA a bold promise We will reimburse up to eight semesters of tuition for students who: Live in Texas, have a household income of $70,000 or less, graduate in the top 25% of their high school graduating class, and enter their 12th semester. is needed. A few hours each semester.
Since the program's inception in 2019, Bold Promise has been available only to freshmen and transfer students from the Alamo College District. Alamo Promise Program. This program is not available to transfer students or current continuing students. The only change to the program was made in 2021, increasing household income from $50,000 to $70,000.Branch schools etc. UT Arlington, Dallas, Utah, El Paso, Utah, UT Rio Grande Valley and Utah Permian Basin We offer a free tuition program to new students, transfer students, and current students. UT Tyler and Utah The program is offered only to new students and transfer students.
The only university similar to UTSA is Stephen F. Austin University, a newcomer to the system that joined the system in September 2023. UTSA is adamant about adapting and expanding its bold promise to more students. Programs at other universities, most notably the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of Texas at Tyler, were previously available only to first-time freshmen, but recent donations have changed that. Meanwhile, university leaders appear to be hiding behind a curtain of affordability, locking students out of this life-changing program.
The current “bold promise” penalizes individuals who may have had a difficult time in high school, especially those who know the challenges faced during virtual learning. With such strict regulations, it can be inferred that universities do not believe that certain individuals can break habits and become better learners while attending university.
UTSA has 30,000 undergraduate students, but only 1,847 undergraduate students student In a bold promise. If the university wants to maintain its leadership position among Texas public institutions, UTSA leaders must expand the program to transfer students and the heart and soul of Roadrunner Nation: current students. . Furthermore, household income standards will be expanded and the top 25% of high school graduation class requirements will be reduced.
UTSA should not hide behind marketing campaigns and slogans about being an affordable university, even though the university is not the most affordable in its own system.UTSA hasn't been the most financially conscious in recent history, with leadership pushing for athletic fee increases across campus. last semester.
UTSA President Taylor Amy and other leaders don't seem to care about students' financial well-being after they leave the university. They use students' high school grades to inflate statistics about attracting “high achievers” and further benefit colleges by limiting potential candidates to a small group.
