Texas Colleges That Offer Free Tuition Programs

Texas Colleges That Offer Free Tuition Programs

Texas’s tuition-free universities are shattering the stereotype by allowing students to seek higher education without worrying about paying for it.

Students from low-income and middle-class families are the main target audience for these programs, which allow them to pursue a top-notch education without worrying about money.

Tuition-free programs, in contrast to regular college programs, frequently simply cover the cost of tuition.

Rice University is an exception, though, as it provides a program that includes room and board in addition to tuition reimbursement. Both citizens and non-residents of Texas are eligible for this exceptional opportunity.

Some programs only accept new first-year students, while others also take transfer students. Let us now reveal the list of Texas tuition-free colleges, which will allow students to follow their aspirations without having to worry about paying for college.

Texas State provides free tuition

Bobcat Promise: For new freshmen with family-adjusted gross incomes under $50,000, this program promises free tuition and mandatory fees for 15 credit hours per semester, not to exceed the student’s demonstrated need,

Texas A&M offer free tuition

Since 2008, Texas A&M University has supported tuition for low- and middle-income families by guaranteeing tuition coverage under the Aggie Assurance promise.

The cost of tuition for students whose family makes no more than $60,000 will be met by grants and/or scholarships.

Texas residents go to college for free

Some Texans can attend a public college or university in Texas without having to pay tuition or, in certain situations, tuition and fees thanks to exemptions, a sort of financial aid. The exemption programs that Texas residents can use are listed below.

In Texas, ways to obtain free money

HHS provides financial aid to Texans who are experiencing hardship. TANF provides money to aid with bill payments, food purchases, and supporting your family.

Get a college grant in Texas

• Possess the status of a resident of Texas.
• Make your financial requirements clear.
• Possess an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $6,234 or less.
• If you are not excluded from registering, register for selective service.
• Not been found guilty of any felonies or crimes involving the use of prohibited substances.

UTSA offers free tuition

If a first-time freshman meets specific requirements, the UTSA Bold Promise Program, a ground-breaking tuition promise program for high-achieving Texas citizens from families with an annual income of $70,000 or less, pays 100% of their tuition and fees for four years.

Texas Colleges That Offer Free Tuition Programs

1. University of Houston

Near downtown Houston, this public, tier-one research university offers over 300 degree programs, highly qualified faculty, and an impressive list of honors. Guaranteed free tuition for new freshmen starting in Fall 2019.

Requirements:

Families with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $65,000 or less are eligible for 100% tuition reimbursement; those with an AGI of $65,001 to $125,000 will get tuition assistance.
By January 15, students must turn in a completed TASFA or FAFSA. Must be a legal resident of Texas and an incoming freshman.

2. Sam Houston State University

Covers any required tuition and fees that aren’t already covered by grants or scholarships. Both transfer and freshman students are eligible for this program.

Requirements:

• Adjusted Gross Income of $40,000 or less
• Eligible to receive Federal Pell Grant
• Texas resident

3. Midwestern State University

This program is available to qualified new students who have never obtained a bachelor’s degree. The tuition fees not covered by other grants and scholarships are met by this program, which is a “last-dollar” scholarship.

Requirements:

• Student from a household with an annual gross income of little more than $65,000.
• The student must live in Texas and be qualified for a Pell Grant.
• Must complete the fall and spring semesters with at least 12 hours earned.

4. Rice University

For low- and middle-class households, Rice University provides some of the most extensive financial aid, which includes Rice extending this program in 2021.

One of the rare universities that does not charge loans is Rice University. This implies that you will get a financial aid package free of debts if you are lucky enough to be accepted and qualify for financial help.

Providing financial aid for room and board, tuition, and fees to students whose families make less than $75,000. Conversely, the entire cost of tuition is paid for students whose families make between $75,000 and $140,000.

Requirements:

Incomes under $75,000 are eligible for free room and board, full tuition support, and a 50% tuition discount; incomes between $75,000 and $140,000 are eligible for full tuition support.
Send in your finished CSS Profile and FAFSA.
While The Rice Investment is not available to international students, they may be able to apply for other need-based financial aid.

5. Texas Tech University 

For new freshmen and transfer students with an associate’s degree, this free tuition plan assures tuition and obligatory fees, based on 30 credit hours each academic school year.

• The family’s adjusted gross income must be $60,000 or less.
• Fall and spring semesters only; full-time enrollment (12 hours or more per semester) is required.
• The student must file a TASFA or FAFSA and be a resident of Texas.
• Pays for up to four semesters of transfer students’ enrollment and up to eight semesters of full-time enrollment for freshmen.

6. Dallas College District

High school graduates from more than 65 participating Promise High Schools in Dallas County are eligible for this “free tuition” program. It pays for the portion of tuition that is not reimbursed by state and federal financial aid.

This program is open to students at any partner college. Before transferring to a partner institution, the majority of students must start their undergraduate studies at one of Dallas College’s campuses.

Students who complete a collegiate high school, however, are exempt from this rule and are eligible to apply for the Dallas County Promise scholarships at one of the 4-year partner institutions right away.

Remember that a few 4-year partner universities have a limited number of Dallas County Promise scholarships available. Among these universities are Austin College, Southern Methodist University, and The University of North Texas.

7. Texas A&M University College-Station

Future Aggies’ tuition is covered by this “free tuition” program, which is available to incoming freshman and transfer students.

Requirements:

• Income under $60,000 is eligible for grants and scholarships to help with tuition; income between $60,001 and
• $130,000 is eligible for some tuition assistance.
• The program does not pay for fees or room and board.
• Federal Pell Grant eligibility is a requirement for students.
• Send in your finished TASFA or FAFSA by April 15.

8. University of Texas at Dallas

The free tuition program is available to both new freshman and transfer students.

Requirements:

• Tuition is completely free for students whose families make less than $65,000 annually.
• By January 15th, students must turn in a completed TASFA or FAFSA.
• Residency in Texas is required at the time of acceptance.

9. Angelo State University

The program is regarded as a “last-dollar” scholarship and is intended to assist families in paying for education. After accounting for other federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships, it pays the whole cost of tuition for Pell Grant recipients.

Requirements:

• Students from a household make little more than $70,000 per year.
• Must be a resident of Texas.
• Must be eligible for Pell Grants; – Must file the FAFSA.

10. University of Texas at Austin

For Fall 2020, for students with a family income of $65,000 or less, the university will waive tuition fees. The university also offers partial tuition assistance to households making up to $125,000.

Requirements:

• Tuition for students from families making up to $65,000 is fully free.
• Families earning up to $125,000 a year can get a portion of the tuition support.
• Must be a resident of Texas and qualified for a Pell Grant.
• Fill out a TASFA or FAFSA.
• Have proven their need for money.

11. Stephen F. Austin University

Known as a “last-dollar” program, this tuition program pays for any educational costs that remain after being deducted from other grants and scholarships.

Requirements:

The applicant must be a resident of Texas, a student from a family with an adjusted gross income of $30,000 or less based on information from the FAFSA, and qualify for a federal Pell Grant.

12. Lamar University 

Under the Lamar Promise Program, all qualifying Texans are guaranteed grant and/or scholarship support to pay for the entire cost of in-state tuition and fees for the fall and spring semesters. It does not, however, pay for lodging and board costs.

• Eligible students come from families making no more than $40,000.
• To be eligible, one must meet all requirements for a full Pell Grant.
• Students who qualify for Texas in-state tuition and who are dependents as defined by the FAFSA standards may apply.
• It is required that the FAFSA or TASFA be completed.
• There is a four-year maximum duration for the program.