Grant modified due to virus

The university announced Monday the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant will cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for qualified students with a family income of $95,000 or less beginning Fall 2020. 

The grant has been modified since its prior announcement in Fall 2019, increasing the original total family income from $75,000 to $95,000. 

In addition to the change of requirements, UTRGV has also extended their admissions and financial aid deadlines from March 1 to May 1, so that more students may qualify for the grant. 

UTRGV decided to make modifications to the program due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has left many people out of work and unable to pay their bills. 

“The effect this is having on the economy, how many people are going to be laid off, how many people are going to have their hours cut back,” UTRGV President Guy Bailey said in an interview with The Rider Tuesday. “I mean, it’s going to have an impact, and this is a way for us to help our students in difficult economic times.”

When asked why the university made this change to the program plan, Bailey replied, “We know this is a difficult time for students financially, and we want to help as many as possible.” 

The following increase will allow in-state undergraduate students, which includes incoming first-year students and returning and transfer students, who meet all of the requirements.

Eligible students will not have to pay out-of-pocket as the Tuition Advantage grant will cover all costs.

“There is not a magic number,” Maggie Hinojosa, vice president for Strategic Enrollment, said in an interview with The Rider Tuesday. “It depends on how much availability you have based on your cost of attendance and expected family contributions. So, there’s a calculation that is done that determines how much need you have.” 

When asked how much money each student will receive from the UTRGV Tuition Advantage grant, Hinojosa replied, “It is very specific to the student. It is not a flat amount across the board.” 

An email from the university stated that the school estimated more than half of its undergraduate students who would attend the university during the 2020-2021 academic year would not pay tuition and mandatory fees due to the grant. 

“We’re always looking to see how we can adjust and ensure that we are using all our financial aid funds, federal, state, institutional, to their fullest value and what works best for our student body,” Hinojosa said. 

The grant will also replace the Achieve Grant that helped students with a family income of $50,000 or less. 

For more information, visit the UTRGV Tuition Advantage page at https://www.utrgv.edu/ucentral/tuition-advantage/.