Free Tuition Program at the University of North Texas
Qualifying Texas students whose families make $100,000 or less will be able to get free tuition at the University of North Texas. The North Texas Promise program will cover the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible incoming first-year students starting in fall 2026. Students must be Texas residents, graduate from a high school in the state and come from a family with a total income of $100,000 or less. They must also either be eligible for the Pell Grant or rank in the top 25% of their high school class and have a financial need. The program will cover four years of tuition.
Eligibility and Benefits
“As the largest university in North Texas, UNT has a special responsibility to expand access to transformative educational opportunities across our region and beyond,” said UNT President Harrison Keller in a release. “With the North Texas Promise, more outstanding Texas students will be able to access a college education that prepares them to unlock their full potential.” The program aims to support students who may not have been able to afford college otherwise, and provide them with the opportunity to pursue their academic and career goals.
UNT’s Commitment to Student Success
Keller has vowed to have UNT take responsibility for the region’s talent needs as Texas faces a workforce shortage. The school, he said, will measure its success by how well it meets the state’s talent demands and keeps up with the region’s imminent transformations. This commitment to student success is reflected in the North Texas Promise program, which aims to support students from low-income backgrounds and provide them with the resources they need to succeed.
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Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees at the public university costs $12,092 for the current school year, according to UNT’s website. More than 3,500 incoming first-year students this fall will be eligible for the initiative, according to the release. About 70% of UNT’s students receive scholarships or financial aid. In fall 2024, UNT had about 34,200 undergraduate and 12,000 graduate students.
Other Free Tuition Programs in Texas
In 2022, over 2,700 first-year UNT students received a Pell Grant, a federal scholarship for students who have exceptional financial need, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. Other Texas universities, including Texas Christian University and the University of Texas System, have recently announced similar free tuition programs to help more residents afford college.
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Capital Campaign and Student Success
UNT’s announcement comes months after Keller’s November state of the university address, where he launched a $100 million capital campaign to focus on accelerating student success by supporting scholarships and financial assistance related to housing or food insecurity. “Every graduate can be equipped with knowledge, skills and transformative experiences that allow them to take their talent as far as they can go,” Keller said of the campaign.
About the DMN Education Lab
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas. The DMN Education Lab is a community-funded journalism initiative, with support from Bobby and Lottye Lyle, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, Garrett and Cecilia Boone, Judy and Jim Gibbs, The Meadows Foundation, The Murrell Foundation, Ron and Phyllis Steinhart, Solutions Journalism Network, Southern Methodist University, Sydney Smith Hicks, and the University of Texas at Dallas. The Dallas Morning News retains full editorial control of the Education Lab’s journalism.
Conclusion
The North Texas Promise program is a significant step towards making college more affordable for low-income students in Texas. By covering the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students, UNT is providing a valuable opportunity for students to pursue their academic and career goals without the burden of financial debt. As the state of Texas faces a workforce shortage, initiatives like the North Texas Promise program are crucial in supporting the development of a skilled and educated workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the North Texas Promise program?
The North Texas Promise program is a free tuition program offered by the University of North Texas, which covers the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible incoming first-year students starting in fall 2026.
Who is eligible for the North Texas Promise program?
To be eligible for the program, students must be Texas residents, graduate from a high school in the state, and come from a family with a total income of $100,000 or less. They must also either be eligible for the Pell Grant or rank in the top 25% of their high school class and have a financial need.
How long does the program cover tuition?
The program covers four years of tuition for eligible students.
How many students are eligible for the program?
More than 3,500 incoming first-year students this fall will be eligible for the initiative, according to the release.
