Alamo Runners

The Alamo Runner program is a collaborative, co-enrollment partnership between Alamo Colleges and UTSA. The program supports students who were admitted to UTSA during a fall or spring semester but instead enrolled at one of the five Alamo Colleges.

This opportunity provides access to the four-year experience and all of the benefits that go with it for the same cost as taking classes at one of the Alamo Colleges.

Program Requirements

  • Complete an agreement of participation agreeing to be co-enrolled at both UTSA and Alamo Colleges
  • Co-enroll at both UTSA and Alamo Colleges by taking 3 hours at UTSA and 12 hours at an Alamo College
  • After a total of 45 transferrable hours, and students maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress each semester, students can then transfer to UTSA without reapplying, to complete his or her bachelor’s degree and potentially receive your associate’s degree by way of Reverse Transfer.

The Alamo Runners program originated with the support of the PIVOT grant, which was received by UTSA to increase student engagement, retention and graduation at UTSA and the Alamo Colleges.

More Information

Read below for more information on the Alamo Runners program, including why it benefits you, the steps to get involved, the classes you’ll be taking, enrollment guidelines and more.

Why should I participate in Alamo Runners?
  • To be provided a pathway to UTSA
  • To benefit from enrollment at both UTSA and Alamo Colleges 
  • To enjoy the UTSA experience (access to recreation facilities, residence hall life, university library, sporting events, student organizations and other activities)
  • To be offered guaranteed admissions upon successful completion and requirements (does not guarantee admission to a particular college)
  • To not have to reapply for admission to UTSA
  • To build a strong foundation academically
  • To complete a minimum of 45 transferable hours
  • To have UTSA advising support

As part of this program, students will be taking courses at Alamo Colleges and UTSA.

Credit earned from AP exams, dual credit courses, CLEP, etc. will not count toward the hours needed to complete the requirements. Students who have earned the prescribed courses through AP, dual credit courses, etc. can take additional courses that are applicable to the UTSA core component area.

Students that participate in Alamo Runners must meet the following enrollment guidelines:

  • Be co-enrolled at one of the five Alamo Colleges and UTSA in the following semester after their semester of application to UTSA.
  • Enroll in a minimum of 12 credit hours at their respective Alamo College and 3 credit hours at UTSA.
  • Students must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) each semester, meaning students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and complete the 3-hour course each term at UTSA.
  • Students in the Alamo Runners program must complete a minimum of 45 transferrable hours.
  • Once completed, students can participate in Reverse Transfer to receive their Associate’s degree from Alamo Colleges.
  • If students are close to 45 hours when they choose to participate in the program, then students may make the transition to UTSA earlier.

For virtually the same of what a student pays at Alamo, the student can take a class at UTSA. The student completes the FAFSA for the Alamo Colleges. A UTSA institutional grant will cover the difference in cost of the class based on what the student will pay at Alamo.

The student will pay out of pocket expenses, which would represent what an average 3 hour class would cost at Alamo Colleges. The out of pocket expense can be paid with Financial Aid or other personal funds. Students should get awarded for 15 hours at Alamo and 3 of those 15 hours will be taken at UTSA.

Example:

Student Jane Doe
UTSA 3 hour class SOC 1013
UTSA Tuition & Fees* $1310.13
UTSA Parking* $52.00
UTSA Orientation* $65.00
Total UTSA Charge* $1418.13
UTSA GRANT* for Alamo Runners $866.13
Out of Pocket expense for the student* $532.00

*These are average costs and subject to change

If the payment deadline of Alamo Colleges is after the UTSA payment deadline, the UTSA class will not be dropped.

There are a multitude of services that are accessible for students that participate in Alamo Runners. Those services include: 

Library
Recreation Center
UTSA Bookstore

Dining Facilities
Housing
Sporting Events

Organizations
Academic Services
Peer mentors

  1. Students must have applied to UTSA and were admitted the university, but decided not to enroll.
  2. Attend an Alamo Runner Information Session held virtually or at one of the Alamo Colleges.
    Email Catherine Gonzalez for more information regarding information sessions, at catherine.gonzalez@utsa.edu
  3. Catherine Gonzalez will provide the student with the online participation agreement form to complete.
  4. Once the agreement form is submitted to UTSA, it will be processed for the respective semester. The student's Alamo Colleges transcript will be automatically sent to UTSA.
  5. Sign up for orientation. Orientation is required for all incoming students. Students can log into ASAP and click the “Future Roadrunner” tab then select “Sign up for Orientation.” There is an online option or in-person option.
  6. Meet with your assigned UTSA Transfer Advisor before registering for classes.
  7. Provide any TSI scores or take the TSI assessment if not exempt.
  8. Submit proof of your meningitis immunization
  9. Register for a 3 hours class, parking permit (optional), meal plan (optional), housing (optional) at UTSA
  10. Register for 12 hours at you respective Alamo College
  11. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) for the Alamo Colleges
  12. Pay tuition and fees and any other expenses
  13. Start classes in Fall or Spring (depending on when the student entered into the Alamo Runner agreement)
Each semester students are required to provide a new participation agreement and continue for 3 semesters, or up to 45 hours, or obtain an associate degree. Students do not have to reapply to UTSA, only continue as a full-time student moving forward. 
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