University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
PA-7: Affordability and Access

1. Per the Texas Education Code, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley designates 20% funding from tuition fees for low-income students. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board rules and procedures to determine financial need is based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ED/htm/ED.56.htm#56.031

2. Enroll in 15 hours is an incentive program designed to pay for additional courses a student enrolls in after 12 hours. So, if a student enrolls in 15 hours, the extra class is free. If a student enrolls in 18 hours, the two extra classes are free. There is no financial aid application or separate application required! This award only applies to those students paying in-state tuition.
http://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/admissions/paying-for-college/why-enroll-in-15-hours/index.htm

3. The Achieve Program provides $500 towards tuition, fees and book expenses covered for the regular academic year (fall and spring)
http://www.utrgv.edu/ucentral/paying-for-college/financial-aid/grants/index.htm

4. The UTRGV Financial Aid Office will be offering a grant to eligible non-resident students for the 2017 summer sessions only. The eligibility of this grant will be based on economic need, please keep in mind that funds are limited (first-come first-served basis).

1. The Academic Affairs Leadership Program is a year-long program with monthly meetings to support the work and development of our Academic Affairs Leaders, including Department Chairs, School Directors, Deans, Associate Deans, Associate Provosts, and Academic VPs. Our goal is to build a community among academic leaders, facilitate communication and sharing of ideas and best practices, and foster peer support and leadership development.

2. To ensure the success of new faculty at UTRGV, the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Diversity offers the New Faculty Support Program (NFSP) to help incoming faculty members adjust to their new environment, whether it is academia or getting to know the UTRGV community and campuses. As an integral component of the University’s strategic direction, the program will provide social and intellectual support, as well as resources needed to integrate new faculty into UTRGV’s academic community. The NFSP empowers new faculty to meet the learning needs of UTRGV students, as well as their research and service goals. The program offers a set of structured activities and experiences that will orient incoming faculty to the University and its culture. This includes a welcome reception, academic orientation, a series of training luncheons and workshops, and an end-of-the-year reception.
A vital component of the NFSP is peer mentoring. New faculty are paired with respected and experienced faculty members, who will advise them on topics ranging from teaching and research to funding opportunities.

3. ADVANCE Leadership Institute

This semester-long Institute started in Spring 2013 as part of our National Science Foundation (NSF) ADVANCE Grant. The Institute has been enrolling 18-25 faculty members per year from both STEM and non-STEM disciplines. All tenured faculty, clinical faculty, and three-year lecturers employed at UTRGV, regardless of gender, college, or academic discipline are eligible to apply. The Institute provides professional development and leadership opportunities through a series of eight workshops and other events. In addition, the ADVANCE Leadership Institute includes a formalized mentorship program in which each participant is paired with a mentor (where possible, with the faculty member’s mentor of choice). Upon completion, Institute participants become eligible to apply for the ADVANCE Administrative Fellows Program and other professional development opportunities.

Student Support Services program (SSSP), a federally funded TRIO program of U.S. Department of Education, is designed to assist participants with enhancing their academic skills, increase their retention and graduation rates and promote graduate and professional school programs.
http://www.utrgv.edu/aspire/index.htm

Darrell B. Hester Scholarship Endowment
Texas Medical Alliance: Cameron and Willacy County Greater Texas Foundation Endowment
The Louis D. and Margaret L. Draper Endowment in Honor of Margaret L. Draper
Chelsea Marie Lapka Memorial Endowed Scholarship
The Louis C. and Margaret L. Draper Endowment in Honor of Glen Draper
Willacy County Farm Workers Scholarship Fund
Paul C. and Florence M. Crissman Scholarship Endowment for ROTC Scholarship
The Louis C. Draper Endowment for ROTC Students

The UTRGV Upward Bound programs serve selected schools in Cameron and Hidalgo counties. We provide academic instruction in mathematics, laboratory sciences, composition, literature, and foreign languages.
Tutoring, counseling, mentoring, cultural enrichment, work-study programs, education or counseling services designed to improve the financial and economic literacy of students.
Additionally, programs and activities previously mentioned that are specially designed for students who are limited English proficient, students from groups that are traditionally underrrepresented in postsecondary education, students with disabilities, students who are homeless, students who are in foster care or are aging out of the foster care system or other disconnected students.

UTRGV was selected as CollegeNET’s second Social Mobility Innovator for 2017 because it has developed a series of cutting-edge programs designed to make college affordable for low-income students and help them realize the significant economic opportunity an undergraduate degree offers.
A key part of this student-centric effort has been UTRGV’s attempt to eliminate cost pressures and barriers, which have negatively affected college retention and graduation rates across the United States.
Tuition and fees for a resident undergraduate at UTRGV in academic year 2016-2017 are $7,438 – the second-lowest in the University of Texas System and the third-lowest in Texas for all public universities.
Nationally, UTRGV’s $7,438 cost is lower than the average 2016-2017 tuition and fees for state residents at public colleges – $9,650 – according to the College Board.
In addition to low tuition, UTRGV guarantees undergraduates that their tuition won’t increase for four years. The university also offers students a robust emergency loan program if their scholarship or aid money is delayed or held up by bureaucratic red tape. http://www.utrgv.edu/ucentral/paying-for-college/affordability/index.htm

“Most of the higher education rankings try to help students choose a college or university,” said Jim Wolfston, CEO of CollegeNET. “The Social Mobility Index (SMI), on the other hand, tries to help policymakers see which colleges and universities are addressing the national problem of economic mobility. Administrators in higher education can be more effective in strengthening U.S economic mobility and restoring the promise of the American Dream in the 21st century if they can identify and learn from committed colleges and universities like UTRGV that are already skilled at doing this.”
http://www.utrgv.edu/en-us/about-utrgv/news/press-releases/2017/january-25-utrgv-named-collegenet-social-mobility-innovator-for-2017/index.htm

UTRGV does not offer scholarships specifically to part-time students. However, the following scholarships are available for all students regardless of their enrollment status: full-time status, half-time status, and less than half-time status.

Lack's Stores Scholarship
Staff Senate Endowment
Valley Heroes Memorial Scholarship

Darrell B. Hester Scholarship Endowment
Gloria M. Ridolfi Endowed Scholarship
James Cullen Looney Scholarship
James R. Shawn, Sr. Endowed Scholarship
Power to Succeed Endowment
Raul L. and Earlene Longoria Endowed Scholarship
Scorption Family Scholarship Endowment
Texas Medical Alliance: Cameron and Willacy County Greater Texas Foundation Endowment
The Estella Lane Trevino Endowed Scholarship
The Louis D. and Margaret L. Draper Endowment in Honor of Margaret L. Draper
UTRGV 2017-2018 Scholarships

AT&T Endowed Scholarship
Bascom C. Slemp Endowment for Excellence with the College of Education
Bill E. Reeves Endowment Scholarship
Bobby & Robin Farris Endowed Scholarship
Carlos A. & Virginia G. Estrada Scholarship Fund Endowment
Chelsea Marie Lapka Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Cochran Endowed Scholarship
College of Education and P-16 Integration Scholarships
College of Education Endowed Scholarship
Diola Cantu Gonzalez Endowed Scholarship at the College of Education
Dr. Edwing LeMaster Endowment
Dr. Jan Tilery Memorial Endowed Scholarship
Dr. John. L. Moore Memorial Scholarship
Evan C. Brough - Brough Legacy Endowed Scholarship
H-E-B Schlarship Endowment
J. R. Dougherty, Jr. Scholarship
Jesse H. Jones & Mary Gibbs Jones Endowed Scholarship
Joe & Jess Crump Scholarship
Joe and Sylvia Ramirez Endowed Scholarship
Kenedy Memorial Scholarship
Keppel AmFELS, Inc.Chess Scholarship Endowment
Leitch and Griffith Scholarship Endowment Fund
Louis C. Draper Endowment Fund
Margaret L. Draper Endowement Fund
Margaret L. Draper Endowement Fund-Education
Marylyn Burns Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Morris Edelstein Endowment Scholarship
Pooled Funds Endowment
Regent Mario Yzaguirre Scholarship
Renato E. Cardenas Scholarship Endowment
RGV Chapter of TSPE, Noe Garza Scholarship
Rio Grande Valley Partnership Endowed Scholarship
Ruth Dean and Homer J. Morris Endowment
Serafy Foundation Endowment
Shary-Shivers Foundation Endowment
Stockton Foundation Scholarship Fund
Stripes College Scholarship Fund
T. Edward and Anna Mercer Endowed Scholarship
Tenneco Endowment for Scholarships
Texaco Endowed Scholarship
The Cirpriano R. Munoz Endowment Scholarship
The John Villarreal Endowed Scholarship
The Louis C. and Margaret L. Draper Endowment in Honor of Glen Draper
The Louis C. and Margaret L. Draper Endowment in Honor of Melvin P. Fechner
The Louis C. Draper Endowment for ROTC Students
The Mr. and Mrs. John W. Richards Endowed Scholarship
The Rising Scholar's Endowed Scholarship
The Ruben Hinojosa Endowed Scholarship
The University of Texas-Pan American Student Scholarship Endowment
Trull Foundation Scholarship Fund Endowment
William D. Peisen Endowed Scholarship for Intercollegiate Soccer

UTRGV's HOP Policy 04-103 provides a supportive environment to enable breastfeeding mothers to express milk during work hours.
In recognition of the well-documented health advantages of breastfeeding for infants and mothers,
1. UTRGV shall provide a place, other than a bathroom, that is shielded from view and free from intrusion, which may be used by an employee or student to express breastmilk.
2. Supervisors will use reasonable efforts to provide work schedule and work pattern flexibility for the expression of milk for up to one year after the birth of a child.
3. Discrimination against a mother for expressing milk under this policy is prohibited and may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Also, retaliation of any kind against anyone who participates in good faith in an investigation of a complaint under this policy is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.
http://www.utrgv.edu/hop/policies/adm-04-103.pdf

Shaping young minds for a lifetime of success is the core goal of the Child Development Center while also providing quality child-care services to full-time university students and employees to help them balance work, school and family.
The CDC provides children, from ages 3 months to 5 years old, a variety of diverse and creative learning opportunities in a caring and nurturing environment. We also focus on the whole child, taking into account all your child’s developmental needs – physical, social, emotional and cognitive.
AT THE CDC, WE:
Offer full-time care between the hours of Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Provide children with breakfast, lunch and an afternoon snack.
Implement the High Scope Infant and Toddler Curriculum and the Big Day Scholastic Program as part of the CIRCLE curriculum, which focuses on the development needs of the children and new concepts and skills in early literacy, math and science.
Help Pell-eligible, low-income student-parents pay for child-care services thanks to a U.S. Department of Education Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Grant.
NOTE: Enrollees must be university-affiliated faculty, staff and/or students. Due to limited capacity and funding, priority is given to students.

Student Support Services (SSS), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, is a TRIO program dedicated to increasing the retention and graduation rates for low income, first-generation, and/or students with documented disabilities at the UTRGV. This grant has been 100% federally funded by the United States Department of Education to serve 275 participants annually in the amount of $298,046.00 per year for a period of five years (2015-2020).

The mission of the College Access Outreach Programs is to extend educational opportunities and access to higher education to all segments of the local community, particularly those who have been traditionally underserved. We are dedicated to providing accurate and timely information, matriculation services and application assistance. Furthermore, we are committed to academic excellence, social and professional development, while providing learning opportunities, programs and services that will prepare students to serve, lead, and become engaged members of the community.
Contributions for success come from our College Access Outreach programs:
The TRIO Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Program at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley is a FREE, non-credited, pre-college program federally funded with a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Post-secondary Education
The primary goal of TRIO VUB is to prepare eligible veterans to enter college, be successful in college, and to graduate from college. Students create and utilize an Individual Education Success Plan that details their education and career goals and the time frames to accomplish them. Regardless, of whether a veteran wants to complete a high school equivalency program or a bachelor's degree, individualized and personalized attention is granted to all participants.
TRIO VUB provides 125 Cameron County eligible veterans with academic instruction and support services every year. Classes are held on a continuous basis throughout the year during the fall, spring and summer semesters. Academic classes in math, composition, literature, laboratory science, and foreign language are offered in addition to academic and personal advisement, financial and economic literacy presentations, plus college and career success workshops. The program also refers participants to other support services on and off campus based on their respective educational and personal need.

The High School Equivalency Program (HEP) is a comprehensive federally-funded program of adult education that strives to assist migrant-farm worker individuals to obtain the equivalent of a high school diploma. HEP is committed to the pursuit of student empowerment through education with a common vision of respect and growth that promotes lifelong learning, community involvement, and cultural diversity. HEP helps migratory and seasonal farmworkers (or children of such workers) who are 16 years of age or older and not currently enrolled in school to obtain the equivalent of a high school diploma and, subsequently, to gain employment or begin postsecondary education or training. The program serves 100 students annually.

The Collegiate Recovery Program are non-clinical services to help students work through the process of recovery from addictive behaviors such as substance abuse. It is an opportunity to find support by connecting with fellow students who are also going through recovery. It is also a way to connect with professional help if needed.

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) exists to ensure all students are able to participate in the full range of college experiences. Promoting an environment that is free of physical and attitudinal barriers while fostering independence and self-advocacy.

Percent on Financial Aid: 89%
Financial aid data refer to full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students in 2014-2015.
https://www.forbes.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-rio-grande-valley/

The institution’s policies and programs on affordability and access work towards the sustainable development goal of Quality Education and Reduced Inequalities by making education accessible and affordable to low-income students and supporting non-traditional students.