The Blubber

The University of Texas (UT) system will begin offering free tuition to students from families earning up to $100,000 per year starting next fall.

On Wednesday, the university system's board granted preliminary approval to a plan that will waive tuition and fees for qualifying undergraduate students at any of its nine campuses. The Board of Regents is set to vote on the measure Thursday, and it is expected to pass.

If approved, the initiative will provide an immediate $35 million boost to campuses, along with additional investments to enhance financial aid and reduce tuition burdens.

Kevin P. Eltife, chairman of the Board of Regents, stated in a press release, “To be in a position to ensure our students can attend a UT institution without accruing more debt is very important to all of us. As long as we are here, we will continue our work to provide an affordable, accessible education to all who choose to attend a UT institution.”

The funding for the initiative will come from endowment distributions, the Available University Fund, and other resources, according to the UT system, which is the largest university system in Texas and among the largest in the U.S. Currently, 56% of students at UT campuses receive some form of financial aid, highlighting the significant financial challenges faced by many families.

UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken praised the long-term vision of the program: “What is particularly gratifying to me, and to UT presidents, is that the Regents are not only addressing the immediate needs of our current students, but they are ensuring that future generations will continue to benefit from this remarkable program.”

UT has already made strides in reducing student debt, reporting a 10% average decline over the past five years compared to other public four-year universities in Texas. “Across UT institutions, enrollment is growing, and student debt is declining, indicating success in both access and affordability. That's a rare trend in American higher education, and I'm proud the UT System is in a position to lead,” Milliken said.

The UT system includes campuses in Arlington, Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Permian Basin, Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tyler.

This announcement coincides with a similar move by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which revealed that starting next fall, students from families earning less than $200,000 annually will also qualify for free tuition. MIT estimates this policy will apply to about 80% of its incoming classes, aligning with the income range of most American households.