First implemented in 2018, the Texas Advance Commitment is UT Austin’s commitment to making a UT education even more affordable, more transparent, and understandable for Texas students and families from middle- and low-income backgrounds who have financial need.

Texas Advance Commitment was expanded in Fall 2020 to increase income levels served through a new endowment created by The University of Texas System Board of Regents. Under the expansion, Texas residents entering UT Austin as freshmen or transfer students as well as continuing students with family adjusted gross incomes (AGIs) of up to $65,000 will have tuition covered with gift monies up to tuition. Students with family AGIs between $65,000 and $125,000 will receive some financial assistance to help offset the cost of their tuition at UT Austin.

Students meeting the following criteria are eligible for Texas Advance Commitment funding.

• Texas resident undergraduates who entered UT Austin in fall 2018 or later pursuing their first degree.
• Students who enter as freshmen can receive funding for up to four years or the length of their program. Transfer students can receive funding for up to three years or the length or their program.
• Have a family adjusted gross income (AGI) between $0-125,000 and show financial need as determined by the FAFSA or TASFA.
  • Students with an AGI of up to $65,000 with need will receive support to cover their tuition
  • Students with an AGI between $65,000 and $125,000 will receive tuition support

Texas Advance Commitment Awards can be renewed based on the following:

• Continuing students who are making satisfactory academic progress (2.0 GPA and completed 75% of hours attempted)
• Students who entered UT Austin in between Fall 2018 to Fall 2020 and were eligible for Texas Advance Commitment based on their entering year FAFSA data will continue to be considered for eligibility for up to four years.
• Students who became eligible after their first year at UT for Texas Advance Commitment funding under the expanded income guidelines in 2020 and students who enter UT Austin in fall of 2021 and beyond will be evaluated annually using that year’s FAFSA or TASFA data to determine continued eligibility for funding.

For students with a family adjusted gross income of up to $65,000 your tuition will be covered first by your Federal and State grants (Pell, FSEOG and Texas Grant) If your eligibility for these programs does not cover the full cost of your tuition, UT Austin will make up the difference with institutional grants or scholarships.

For eligible undergraduate or first time in college transfer students, grants and scholarships are used first to cover the costs of tuition. If needed, university funds are added to either cover tuition or provide financial assistance.

The Texas Advanced Commitment applies to tuition; however, there are additional grant, scholarship, work-study and loan funds available to help with the other costs of education, like books and room and board. Students in the Texas Advanced Commitment program can receive grants or scholarships beyond the cost of tuition up to need.

There is no separate application! Admitted students who submit either the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the TASFA (Texas Application for State Financial Aid) and have a complete financial aid file will automatically be considered for financial aid assistance under the Texas Advance Commitment.

The Texas Advance Commitment is designed for Texas resident students who meet all the eligibility requirements. Only students who meet all of the Texas Advance Commitment requirements with family adjusted gross incomes of up to $125,000 will be eligible to receive financial assistance.

Awards will be based on annual review of a student's FAFSA or TASFA, full-time student status, having financial need, maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and pursuit of a first undergraduate degree.

No, you will not see the words "Texas Advance Commitment" on your financial aid notification. All sources of tuition funding, including grant and scholarship assistance meet the commitment. For example, if an eligible student receives a federal Pell grant and/or a Texas Grant these resources are applied first. The university then covers the gap to tuition for eligible students with family adjusted gross incomes of up to $65,000 and provides some tuition assistance for those eligible students with family adjusted gross incomes of up to $125,000.

No. Currently Texas Advance Commitment is not awarded during the Summer term. If new or transfer students are entering UT Austin in the Summer and are eligible for Texas Advance Commitment funds they will receive those funds beginning in the following Fall semester.

For eligible students with a family adjusted gross income (AGI) of up to $65,000, your financial assistance will be adjusted based on your enrollment (full-time or part-time) as of the 12th class day. Your Texas Advance Commitment award will be equal the cost of the applicable tuition. Students with AGIs between $65,000 and $125,000 will have funds adjusted according to program rules of the funding the student received.

If you don’t qualify for Texas Advance Commitment, there are scholarship, work-study, and loan funds that can help pay for your educational costs. Students should apply for financial aid by filing the FAFSA or TASFA and contact their college or school regarding scholarship opportunities.