Texas Advance Commitment

We want our students to take advantage of all the opportunities UT has to offer. The University is committed to reducing debt and making a UT education affordable for Texans from middle- and low-income families. This long-term investment will help more students succeed and become the future leaders of tomorrow for our state, nation and the world. The Texas Advance Commitment is our promise to help make a UT Austin education a reality. Continue reading for more information on financial eligibility for free tuition and tuition support.

$ 65,000

Tuition Covered

$ 125,000

Tuition support

What is the Texas Advance Commitment?

Eligibility Requirements

Be a Texas resident

Submit FAFSA or TASFA

Have demonstrated financial need

Enrolled full-time, first-time-in-college or transfer students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree

Have a family adjusted gross income (AGI) between $0 – 125,000

Maintain 2.0 GPA and complete 67% of courses attempted for renewal eligibility

Texas Advance Commitment FAQs

What is the Texas Advance Commitment?

First implemented in 2018, the Texas Advance Commitment is UT Austin’s commitment to making a UT education even more affordable, more transparent and understandable for Texas students and families from middle- and low-income backgrounds who have financial need. Texas Advance Commitment was expanded in Fall 2020 to increase income levels served through a new endowment created by The University of Texas System Board of Regents. Under the expansion, Texas residents entering UT Austin as freshmen or transfer students as well as continuing students with family adjusted gross incomes (AGIs) of up to $65,000 will have tuition covered with gift monies up to tuition. Students with family AGIs between $65,000 and $125,000 will receive some financial assistance to help offset the cost of their tuition at UT Austin.

Who is eligible for the Texas Advance Commitment?

Students meeting the following criteria are eligible for Texas Advance Commitment funding:

• Texas resident undergraduates who entered UT Austin in fall 2018 or later pursuing their first degree.
• Students who enter as freshmen can receive funding for up to four years or the length of their program. Transfer students can receive funding for up to three years or the length or their program.
• Have a family adjusted gross income (AGI) between $0-125,000 and show financial need as determined by the FAFSA or TASFA.
  • Students with an AGI of up to $65,000 with need will receive support to cover their tuition.
  • Students with an AGI between $65,000 and $125,000 will receive tuition support.

  How does the Texas Advance Commitment program work?

  • For students with a family AGI of up to $65,000, your tuition will be covered first by your Federal and State grants (Pell, FSEOG and Texas Grant). If your eligibility for these programs does not cover the full cost of your tuition, UT Austin will make up the difference with institutional grants or scholarships.
  • For eligible undergraduate or first time in college transfer students, grants and scholarships are used first to cover the costs of tuition. If needed, University funds are added to either cover tuition or provide financial assistance.
  • The Texas Advance Commitment applies to tuition; however, there are additional grant, scholarship, work-study and loan funds available to help with the other costs of education, like books and room and board. Students in the Texas Advance Commitment program can receive outside scholarships beyond the cost of tuition up to financial need, as determined by the FAFSA or TASFA.

  How do I apply?

  There is no separate application. Admitted students who submit either the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid) and have a complete financial aid file will automatically be considered for financial aid assistance under the Texas Advance Commitment.

  Can I qualify if my family’s AGI is more than $125k?

  The Texas Advance Commitment is designed for Texas resident students who meet all the eligibility requirements. Only students who meet all of the Texas Advance Commitment requirements with family AGIs of up to $125,000 will be eligible to receive financial assistance.

  Are these awards renewable?

  Awards will be based on an annual review of a student’s FAFSA or TASFA, full-time student status, financial need, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and pursuit of a first undergraduate degree.

  How can I renew my Texas Advance Commitment awards?

  Texas Advance Commitment Awards can be renewed based on the following:

  • Continuing students who are making satisfactory academic progress (2.0 GPA and completed 67% of hours attempted)
  • Students who entered UT Austin in between Fall 2018 to Fall 2020 and were eligible for Texas Advance Commitment based on their entering year FAFSA data will continue to be considered for eligibility for up to four years.
  • Students who became eligible after their first year at UT for Texas Advance Commitment funding under the expanded income guidelines in 2020 and students who enter UT Austin in Fall 2021 and beyond will be evaluated annually using that year’s FAFSA or TASFA data to determine continued eligibility for funding.

  Will I see Texas Advance Commitment on the My Financial Aid Portal?

  No, you will not see the words “Texas Advance Commitment” in the financial tab of your My Financial Aid portal. All sources of tuition funding, including grant and scholarship assistance, meet the commitment. For example, if an eligible student receives a federal Pell grant and/or a Texas Grant, these resources are applied first. The University then covers the gap to tuition for eligible students with family AGIs of up to $65,000 and provides some tuition assistance for those eligible students with family AGIs of up to $125,000.

  Is Texas Advance Commitment available for summer?

  No. Texas Advance Commitment is not currently awarded during the summer term. If new or transfer students are entering UT Austin in the summer and are eligible for Texas Advance Commitment funds, they will receive those funds beginning in the following fall semester.

  How many hours do I need to be enrolled at UT to be eligible for the Texas Advance Commitment?

  • For eligible students with AGIs of up to $65,000, your financial assistance will be adjusted based on your enrollment (full-time or part-time) as of the 12th class day. Your Texas Advance Commitment award will be equal to the cost of the applicable tuition.
  • Students with AGIs between $65,000 and $125,000 will have funds adjusted according to program rules of the funding the student received.

  On-campus Housing Scholarship

  The University of Texas at Austin launched a new, pilot scholarship program for students who receive tuition support through Texas Advance Commitment and live in on-campus housing at 2400 Nueces Apartments, Dobie Twenty21 or one of our 15 residence halls . The scholarship was created to help lessen on-campus housing costs for students and increase their access to the many benefits of living on the Forty Acres that contribute to retention and success.

  Do I need to apply for the on-campus housing scholarship?

  No, you do not need to apply. To be eligible for a 2024–25 on-campus housing scholarship, a student must meet both of the criteria:

  • Receive tuition coverage or support through Texas Advance Commitment for the 2024–25 academic year
  • Have a signed contract for on-campus housing for the upcoming year, specifically at Dobie Twenty21, 2400 Nueces or one of our 15 residence halls

  How much is the scholarship?

  • Students who receive full tuition coverage through Texas Advance Commitment for the 2024–25 academic year will receive $2,300 to help offset the costs of housing. This will appear as a $1,150 per term scholarship on your financial aid award in July. The scholarship will be disbursed in two parts, with half of the scholarship amount being disbursed at the start of the fall term and half being disbursed at the start of the spring term.
  • Students who receive partial tuition support through Texas Advance Commitment for the 2024–25 academic year will receive $1,400 to help offset the cost of housing. This will appear as a $700 per term scholarship on your financial aid award in July. It will be disbursed in two parts, with half of the scholarship amount being disbursed at the start of the fall term and half being disbursed at the start of the spring term.

  When will I receive my on-campus housing scholarship?

  The scholarship will be disbursed in two parts for the 2024–25 academic year, with half of the scholarship amount being disbursed at the start of the Fall 2024 term, and the other half being disbursed at the start of the Spring 2025 term.

  Can I still apply for on-campus housing and be eligible for the scholarship?

  Students can apply in the housing portal for on-campus housing in our residence halls, Dobie Twenty21 and 2400 Nueces. University Housing and Dining will begin offering housing contracts in March and prioritizes first-time freshmen in contract offers. The contracting process continues until all spaces are contracted. Please note that while we work to accommodate housing requests for all students who want to live in on-campus housing, we cannot guarantee housing to all that apply based on room availability and the timing of your application.

  When will I see the scholarship on my financial aid award?

  The University automatically identifies students for the on-campus housing scholarship based on the above criteria and will notify you directly via email if you are eligible.

  Make It Possible

  We know the numbers can be overwhelming sometimes. Our Texas One Stop staff are here to help you regarding financial aid and estimating your costs.