UTSA freezes undergraduate resident tuition for next two years, keeping tuition at Fall 2021 rates
UTSA freezes undergraduate resident tuition for next two years ... UTSA
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UTSA Takes Action to Make Higher Education Accessible and Affordable
UTSA recognizes that higher education is the great equalizer for families in our community,” said UTSA President Taylor Eighmy. “I appreciate the Board’s action. As the cost of living rises across the nation and here in Texas, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide a top-quality education at an affordable price. Doing so benefits our city and our state, and it sets our graduates on a path to prosperity, in turn benefitting their families and future generations.”
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
UTSA is a Hispanic Serving Institution that serves a diverse student population from low- and middle-income families. Seventy-one percent are eligible for need-based financial aid, and more than 43% of UTSA’s students receive federal Pell grants, which are reserved for students from families with exceptional financial need.
Financial Aid Programs
- UTSA Bold Promise Program: A groundbreaking tuition promise program for high-achieving Texas residents from families with an annual income of $70,000 or less. It covers 100% of a first-time freshman’s tuition and fees for four years if they meet certain criteria. Currently, 1,847 students are in the Bold Promise program.
- Toward EXcellence Access and Success (TEXAS) grant: Offered to undergraduate students who are Texas residents, demonstrate financial need, and meet academic eligibility requirements.
Students at UTSA with the greatest need—undergraduates who have a family contribution of zero—have 90% or more of their tuition and fees covered through grants and scholarships, provided they submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by UTSA’s application deadline and meet eligibility criteria for institutional and state grant programs. This year, the form will open in December.
In addition to these programs, UTSA encourages students to complete the general application in the UTSA Scholarship Hub, an online portal that shows available university scholarships and how to apply. The general application pools together several scholarships into a single application so students need only apply once. Scholarships are continually added to the hub as they become available.
Conclusion
“Research shows that financial barriers continue to be the number one reason that students bypass college, and this is especially true given these challenging economic times we are in,” said Lynn Barnes, UTSA senior vice provost for strategic enrollment. “UTSA is committed to ensuring that every hardworking student who wants to earn a college degree has the opportunity to do so.”
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
SDG 4: Quality Education |
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SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities |
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1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article discusses UTSA’s commitment to providing a top-quality education at an affordable price, particularly for low- and middle-income families. This aligns with SDG 4, which aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article highlights UTSA’s efforts to make higher education accessible and affordable for students from diverse backgrounds, including those from low- and middle-income families. This relates to SDG 10, which focuses on reducing inequalities and promoting social, economic, and political inclusion.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
The article mentions UTSA’s commitment to providing a top-quality education at an affordable price, indicating their efforts to ensure equitable access to education.
Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university.
The article discusses UTSA’s programs, such as the UTSA Bold Promise Program and the TEXAS grant, which aim to make higher education more accessible and affordable for students from low-income families.
Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
The article highlights UTSA’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for all hardworking students who want to earn a college degree, regardless of their financial background. This demonstrates their efforts to promote social and economic inclusion.
Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies, and action in this regard.
The article emphasizes UTSA’s goal of reducing financial barriers that prevent students from pursuing higher education. Their programs and initiatives aim to eliminate inequalities in access to education.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex.
While the article does not provide specific data on the proficiency levels of students at UTSA, their commitment to providing a top-quality education suggests that they aim to ensure students achieve minimum proficiency levels in reading and mathematics.
Indicator 4.3.1: Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, by sex.
The article mentions UTSA’s efforts to make higher education accessible through programs like the UTSA Bold Promise Program and the TEXAS grant. The participation rate of students from low-income families in these programs can be an indicator of progress towards target 4.3.
Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
The article highlights UTSA’s commitment to providing affordable education for low- and middle-income families. Monitoring the proportion of students from these income groups can serve as an indicator of progress towards target 10.2.
Indicator 10.3.1: Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.
While the article does not explicitly mention discrimination, UTSA’s efforts to promote equal opportunities for all students can contribute to reducing discrimination in access to education.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
SDG 4: Quality Education |
