UTSA expands Bold Promise to broaden college path for more Texas students, families

OCTOBER 14, 2021 — The University of Texas at San Antonio is expanding its Bold Promise tuition-free program to provide access to higher education for more Texas students from low- and middle-income families.

Beginning in fall 2022, UTSA will increase the program’s family income threshold to $70,000; currently incoming Bold Promise students can have a family income up to $50,500. All other eligibility criteria remains the same: prospective students must be recent Texas high school graduates who ranked in the top 25% of their class.

Bold Promise covers 100% of a first-time freshman’s tuition and fees for four years.

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“Hundreds more Bexar County and Texas students will now have the opportunity to become Roadrunners through the Bold Promise program.”

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“By expanding the family income eligibility, UTSA is investing additional university resources to reduce student debt and support high-achieving, high-potential students in our own community,” said Lynn Barnes, senior vice provost for strategic enrollment. “Hundreds more Bexar County and Texas students will now have the opportunity to become Roadrunners through the Bold Promise program.”

UTSA launched Bold Promise in December 2019 and has since assisted over 1,700 students enroll with zero tuition and fee expenses. Thus far, Bold Promise students are performing better than their similar peers in several categories:

• Among Bold Promise students, 82% are returning to UTSA in fall 2021 for their second year, compared to 77% of other entering cohort students.
  
  
• Full-time Bold Promise students earned more credit hours on average (24.6) than their peers (23.6).
  
  
• Full-time Bold Promise students also had a higher average GPA (2.84) than their peers (2.72).

“We are thrilled to see our Bold Promise students thriving in their education,” said Kimberly Andrews Espy, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. “As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, UTSA is committed to support educational attainment for Hispanic students as well as students from other historically underserved populations. By expanding the family income eligibility for Bold Promise, UTSA is furthering its commitment to close the gaps in higher education in our city and state.”

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Incoming fall 2022 freshmen who qualify for Bold Promise by the January 15 financial aid priority deadline will have their tuition and mandatory fees covered 100% for eight fall/spring semesters. The semesters must be taken consecutively within a four-year time period and eligibility must be maintained. Tuition and mandatory fees are covered by scholarships, grants and tuition exemptions from federal, state and institutional funds. Students are not required to fill out a separate application to be considered; Bold Promise is automatically awarded to UTSA applicants who meet the program qualifications.

— Rebecca Luther

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