Tuition and Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

Basis for the Type of Financial Aid

The aid awarded to a student may consist of a grant, scholarship, loan, part-time job, or any combination of these programs. The total amount of aid the student receives depends on the student's cost of attendance, their student aid index, meeting application deadlines, outside resources, academic history, and the availability of funds.

The following is a summary of the types of assistance that are available to students at The University of Texas at Dallas. The student should be aware that many of the programs are subject to change without notice by the state or federal government. Information on all programs may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid unless otherwise noted.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides funds to students demonstrating financial need. Students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov to apply for this program. This grant is available to undergraduate students who are pursuing their first bachelor's degree.

Students who do not meet the need criteria may receive a maximum Pell Grant if they:

• Meet all the other requirements of the Federal Pell Grant program, and
• Are the child of a parent or guardian who died in the line of duty while (a) serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001; or (b) actively serving as and performing the duties of a public safety officer; and
• Were less than 33 years old as of the January 1 prior to the award year for which the applicant is applying (e.g., for the 2024-25 award year, a student must be less than 33 years old as of January 1, 2024, to be eligible).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

This federally funded program provides grants to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Students completing a FAFSA will automatically be considered for this grant. Awards are based on the availability of funds and the student's financial need.

Toward EXcellence, Access, and Success Grant (TEXAS Grant)

The TEXAS Grant Program provides grants to students who demonstrate financial need and who are pursuing their first bachelor's degree. Because funds for this program are limited, it is important that students apply for financial aid as early as possible. The TEXAS Grant award amount (including state, federal and institutional grant funds) is equal to the student's tuition and required fees. The application for this program is either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).

To be eligible for an initial award, a student must:

• Be a Texas resident.
• Have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Have a Student Aid Index (SAI) less than or equal to the limit set by the state of Texas.
• Register for selective service unless exempt from registration.
• Be enrolled for at least nine semester credit hours as an undergraduate student who qualifies through one of the following four pathways:
  
  
• High School Graduation Pathway: Graduation from an accredited public or private high school in Texas and enrollment at an approved institution before the end of the 16th month after high school graduation. The student must not have attempted more than 30 credit hours, excluding credits for dual enrollment or by examination.
• Associate Degree Pathway: Enrollment in an eligible institution before the end of the 12th month after the calendar month in which the student earned an associate degree from a public or private nonprofit Texas institution of higher education.
• Honorable Military Discharge Pathway: Enrollment in an eligible institution of higher education no later than 12 months after being released from active duty military service with an Honorable Discharge, General Discharge under Honorable Conditions, or Honorable Separation or Release from Active Duty, as documented by a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214) issued by the Department of Defense. Enlistment in the military must have occurred within 12 months after graduation from an accredited public or private high school in Texas. The student must not have attempted more than 30 credit hours, excluding credits for dual enrollment or by examination.
• TEOG Transfer Pathway: Completion of at least 24 credit hours with a minimum 2.5 GPA after receiving an initial year Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) in fall 2014 or later and transferring to an eligible institution with a minimum 2.5 GPA.

To receive the TEXAS Grant in subsequent years, the academic requirements are as follows:

• Be enrolled for at least nine semester credit hours during the term (please contact your financial aid counselor if you are in your graduating semester and will be registered for less than nine semester credit hours).
• At the end of the first year in the program, you must meet UT Dallas' Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
• At the end of the second year in the program or later, you must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and complete at least 24 semester credit hours per year.
• Demonstrate financial need.

Students entering the program from high school who continue in college and who meet program academic standards can receive awards for up to 150 semester credit hours, until they receive a bachelor's degree, or for five years if enrolled in a four-year degree plan, whichever comes first.

Students entering the program with an associate degree who continue in college and who meet program academic standards can receive awards for up to 90 semester credit hours, until they receive a bachelor's degree, or for three years if enrolled in a four-year degree plan, whichever comes first. Complete information regarding this program can be found at www.collegeforalltexans.com.

Texas Public Educational Grant

An act of the 64th Texas Legislature established this grant program to provide financial assistance to students. The program is funded through appropriation of a portion of the tuition charges for resident and nonresident students. Students completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) will automatically be considered for this grant. Awards are based on availability of funds and the student's financial need.

Educational Assistance Grant

This program was established to provide financial assistance to students by an act of the Texas Legislature. The program is funded through appropriation of a portion of the designated tuition charge for resident and nonresident students. Students completing a FAFSA will automatically be considered for this grant. Awards are based on availability of funds and the student's financial need.

Hazlewood Veteran Tuition Exemption

The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified Veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This does not include living expenses, books, or supply fees. Information on the Hazlewood Act and eligibility requirements are available at the Texas Veterans Commission website. Additional information can be found in the Office of Financial Aid Hazlewood Exemption website.

Federal Work-Study Program

Federal Work-Study employment is available to students on the basis of demonstrated financial need and is counted as a form of need-based financial aid. Student employees are paid as a result of working part-time in a position either on- or off-campus. The wages of students participating in this program are subsidized with federal funds. Students completing a FAFSA will automatically be considered for this program. Awards are based on availability of funds and the student's financial need.

The hourly pay rate depends on the type of job, qualifications, and classification. The number of hours and work schedule will vary depending on the position. For information on job availability, students who have been awarded Federal Work-Study as part of their financial aid package should contact the Career Center at 972-883-2943 or go to their website at career.utdallas.edu to access the Handshake system.

Other On-Campus Employment

Various programs and schools of the University employ students in positions that are not Federal Work-Study positions and are not based on need. Normally, students are employed for a maximum of 19 1/2 hours per week. Students interested in these positions should contact the Career Center at 972-883-2943 or go to their website at career.utdallas.edu to access the Handshake system.

Federal Direct Loan

Funds from this program are made available to students from the U.S. Department of Education. The loan can be either subsidized or unsubsidized, or a combination of both. The maximum amount a student can borrow from this program in an academic year depends on the student's year in school (i.e., freshman, sophomore, etc.); whether the student is considered to be dependent or independent for the purposes of financial aid; the student's total cost of attendance as determined by the school; and what other forms of financial aid the student is receiving. To qualify for a subsidized Federal Direct Loan the student must demonstrate financial need. The federal government pays the interest on a subsidized Federal Direct Loan as long as the student remains enrolled in school at least half-time. The unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan is available for students who do not demonstrate financial need and for students who need more funding than is available with the subsidized Federal Direct Loan. Students who borrow an unsubsidized Federal Direct Loan are charged interest while they are enrolled in school. Students completing a FAFSA are automatically considered for this program.

Detailed information regarding this program, including the Master Promissory Note and entrance counseling is available at studentaid.gov.

TEACH Grant Program

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides up to $4,000 per year ($16,000 total for four-year programs) in grants to students who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students from low-income families. The maximum award is subject to reduction by Congress.

Eligible students must be enrolled in coursework that is necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework. Coursework that will prepare a student to teach in a high-need subject area (e.g., math courses for a student who intends to be a math teacher) is acceptable.

Eligible students must meet the following academic achievement requirements of either scoring above the 75th percentile on either the SAT or the ACT or graduating from high school with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.250 on a 4.000 scale. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.250 throughout the academic program for which they receive a TEACH Grant.

Eligible students must complete TEACH Grant counseling and sign a "TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve." The TEACH Grant service agreement specifies the conditions under which the grant will be awarded, the teaching service requirements, and includes an acknowledgement by the student that if the required teaching service obligation is not met, TEACH Grant funds will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan that must be repaid, with interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

To apply for the TEACH Grant you must submit the FAFSA. Additional information regarding the program can be found at studentaid.gov.

Teaching Obligation

To avoid repaying the TEACH Grant as a loan with interest, a student must be a highly qualified, full-time teacher in a high-need subject area at a school serving low-income students for at least four years within eight years of completing or withdrawing from the academic program for which the grant was received.

Scholarship Programs

The University of Texas at Dallas offers scholarships that are administered by schools, departments, or programs. Students are encouraged to review scholarship opportunities via the centralized listing managed by the Office of Financial Aid.

In accord with Chapter 54 of the Texas Education Code provided below, all applications for competitive academic scholarships for undergraduate study are reviewed by the Committee on Student Scholarships and/or the Undergraduate Scholarship Committee in the appropriate academic unit. Please note that not all competitively awarded scholarships are eligible for a competitive scholarship waiver.

Texas Education Code Competitive Scholarship

Sec. 54.213. SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

(a) An institution of higher education may charge a nonresident student who holds a competitive scholarship of at least $1,000 for the academic year or summer term for which the student is enrolled resident tuition and fees without regard to the length of time the student has resided in Texas. The student must compete with other students, including Texas residents, for the scholarship and the scholarship must be awarded by a scholarship committee officially recognized by the administration and be approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under criteria developed by the coordinating board.

(b) The total number of students at an institution paying resident tuition under this section for a particular semester may not exceed five percent of the total number of students registered at the institution for the same semester of the preceding academic year.

(c) The difference between tuition charged to the student under this section and the tuition the student would be charged if this section did not apply to the student shall not be accounted for in such a way as to reduce the general revenue appropriation to an institution of higher education that charges a nonresident student resident tuition and fees under this section.

Transferred and redesignated from Texas Education Code, Section 54.064 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 359, Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2012.

Scholarships are awarded in accordance with the published eligibility criteria and award factors set forth by each respective program. Factors that may influence scholarship awarding include donor or program specifications, financial need for need-based scholarships, and availability of funding. Committees responsible for awarding a competitive scholarship may consider and give positive weight to such factors as the following:

• SAT or ACT scores
• Class rank, academic record
• Success in advanced courses
• National recognition
• Achievements in work experiences
• Community service
• Extracurricular activities and other leadership activities
• Surmounting obstacles to the further pursuit of higher education
• Socioeconomic background
• Educational level
• Status as a first-generation college student

The criteria cited above is not an exhaustive list and some factors are only applicable to incoming freshman applicants.

Scholarships typically are awarded in the spring semester for disbursement during the following academic year. Please visit UT Dallas Scholarships for more information.

The State of Texas limits how many competitive scholarship waivers may be offered, and the awarding of such waivers is at the sole discretion of the University. The Office of Financial Aid processes competitive scholarship waivers.

International Education Fund Scholarship (IEFS)

Through the proceeds from the International Education fee, scholarships are available for study-abroad programs. These scholarships are open to both graduate and undergraduate students enrolled full-time at time of application. Undergraduate students must be admitted to a degree seeking program and have a minimum GPA of 2.0. While abroad, the recipient of this scholarship must be enrolled in a full-time course of study. Coursework undertaken must apply to the student's degree program. Additional information is available on the IEFS website.

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Assistance

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board administers various tuition assistance programs including programs for teachers and vocational nursing students. Additional information about these programs may be obtained by contacting the Office of Financial Aid.