UT system expands free tuition promise to Texas students at health institutions – KVUE

University of Texas System Enhances Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals Through Tuition Program Expansion

Advancing SDG 4: Quality Education

The University of Texas (UT) Board of Regents has expanded its free tuition initiative, a significant step toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education). This expansion broadens access to affordable and equitable tertiary education for Texas students from households with an annual income of $100,000 or less. By removing financial barriers, the program directly addresses SDG Target 4.3, which aims to ensure equal access for all to affordable and quality university education.

Strengthening SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

In a targeted effort to support SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), the tuition promise program has now been extended to undergraduate students at UT health institutions. This strategic decision invests directly in the state’s healthcare workforce, aligning with SDG Target 3.c concerning the development and training of health professionals. The expansion impacts students at five key institutions:

• UT Southwestern Medical Center
• UT Medical Branch at Galveston
• UT Health Science Center at Houston
• UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
• UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

Promoting SDG 10 and SDG 1: Reducing Inequalities and Alleviating Poverty

The program’s framework is fundamentally designed to advance SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by targeting students based on economic need. This commitment to reducing financial disparity in education contributes to poverty alleviation efforts outlined in SDG 1 (No Poverty). The financial foundation of this initiative has been built progressively:

1. In 2019, a $167 million endowment was established at the University of Texas at Austin to cover tuition for in-state students from families with incomes up to $65,000.
2. In 2022, the regents approved the “Promise Plus” endowment of nearly $300 million, extending the program to all UT academic institutions.
3. Most recently, an additional $35 million was added to the endowment to accommodate the expanded income eligibility threshold.

Fostering SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

By focusing on high-demand fields, including healthcare, the UT System’s initiative supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The program ensures that graduates are prepared for productive employment, contributing to a skilled workforce and sustainable economic development. University of Texas System Chairman Kevin Eltife stated, “By extending Promise Plus to UT health institutions, we are investing in the state’s healthcare workforce. We are proud of the leading role that UT institutions play in this area of critical need.” This highlights the program’s dual role in creating educational opportunities and addressing critical workforce needs, thereby fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article discusses the expansion of a free tuition program by the University of Texas system, which connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary goals addressed are:

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The core theme of the article is expanding access to affordable tertiary education, which is a central tenet of SDG 4. The program aims to remove financial barriers for students pursuing undergraduate degrees.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The program specifically targets students from families with household incomes of “$100,000 or less.” This directly addresses economic inequality by providing opportunities for students who might otherwise be unable to afford higher education.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article explicitly states the program is being extended to the university system’s health institutions to invest in the “state’s healthcare workforce.” This initiative contributes to strengthening the healthcare system, which is a key component of SDG 3.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: By covering the full cost of tuition, the program alleviates a significant financial burden on low- and middle-income families. This can prevent families from falling into debt or poverty due to educational expenses and improves the long-term earning potential of students, helping to break intergenerational poverty cycles.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s focus, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 4.3: “By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.”
   • Explanation: The entire initiative described in the article, from the initial endowment in 2019 to the “Promise Plus” expansion, is designed to make university education affordable and accessible for in-state students. The article states the program “expands access to affordable education in high-demand fields.”
2. Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… economic or other status.”
   • Explanation: The program’s eligibility is based on economic status, specifically for “Texas students with a $100,000 or less household income.” This policy is a direct mechanism to promote the social and economic inclusion of students from lower-income backgrounds in higher education.
3. Target 3.c: “Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce…”
   • Explanation: The article highlights the program’s extension to UT’s five health institutions. The quote from Chairman Kevin Eltife, “By extending Promise Plus to UT health institutions, we are investing in the state’s healthcare workforce,” directly aligns with the goal of increasing the training and development of healthcare professionals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 4.3 & 10.2: The household income threshold for eligibility.
  • Explanation: The article specifies the income levels used to determine eligibility: initially for families with an income “up to $65,000” and later expanded to those with a “$100,000 or less household income.” The number of students enrolled under these criteria serves as a direct indicator of the program’s reach in providing affordable and equitable access.
• Indicator for Target 3.c: The number of students enrolled in health institutions under the program.
  • Explanation: The article states the program is now “extended the program to undergraduate students at its health institutions.” An implied indicator of progress would be the enrollment figures of eligible students at the five named health centers (UT Southwestern, UT Medical Branch at Galveston, etc.), which would measure the investment in the future healthcare workforce.
• Indicator for Overall Commitment (Targets 4.3, 10.2, 3.c): The amount of financial endowment.
  • Explanation: The article provides specific financial figures that act as input indicators of the commitment to these goals. It mentions the “$167 million endowment” in 2019, the “almost $300 million” for the “Promise Plus” fund, and the additional “$35 million” added last year. These figures quantify the financial resources dedicated to achieving the program’s objectives.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kvue.com