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IS YOUR FAMILY INCOME $100,000 OR LESS?1


If so, you may be eligible to attend UTEP without having to pay out-of-pocket for the cost of tuition and mandatory fees.2

 

With more than $220 million in financial aid awarded each year, UTEP works hard everyday to make sure college stays affordable for students and families. As a top tier university, UTEP provides an excellent education offered at one of the most affordable prices in the country. Financial challenges should not stand in the way of students discovering their potential or achieving a UTEP degree. UTEP’s Paydirt Promise affirms this commitment by making higher education accessible for our students.

Beginning in fall 2025, the Paydirt Promise program covers tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students with a family income of $100,000 or less!1 The Paydirt Promise is available to first-time freshmen, returning and transfer students.3 The Paydirt Promise is not available to students who are receiving an exemption or waiver for tuition.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS


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Be a Texas resident

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Be admitted to UTEP and submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other required documents to UTEP

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Have a family income of $100,000 or less with financial need1



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Enroll in a minimum of 9 credit hours each fall and spring semesters, pursuing your first Bachelor’s degree

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For renewal, you must maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher, complete 21 credit hours per year (fall,spring, summer4), and remain in good academic standing



1. Beginning in the 2025-2025 award year, the maximum family income is $100,000. For 2024-2025, the maximum family income is $80,000. Financial need is determined by information provided and submitted on the student's FAFSA.
2. For information on what constitutes mandatory fees, visit: sbs.utep.edu.
3. The Paydirt Promise has a 6-consecutive year limit, whether or not the student remained in the Paydirt Promise Program.
4. Paydirt Promise funds are not available during summer sessions.

HOW TO APPLY

There is no separate application. All admitted students who have submitted and completed the FAFSA will automatically be considered for the Paydirt Promise Program.





 


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Paydirt Promise Program promises your tuition and mandatory fees will be covered by a combination of different grants and/or scholarships (free money) which you are eligible to receive, allowing you to achieve your educational goals.

All first-time undergraduate students who are Texas residents and have a family income of $100,000 or less are considered for this program beginning in 2025-2026. For 2024-2025, the maximum family income is $80,000.

Once admitted to UTEP, the first step is to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The funding for this program is limited, so you must complete your FAFSA as soon as possible!

The purpose of this program is to help you focus on your education and graduate as soon as possible. To receive this benefit, you must:

  • Enroll in 9 or more credits each fall and spring term and earn a minimum of 21 credits per year. These courses must all be contributing to your program of study (degree plan), so make sure you meet with your Academic Advisor often.
  • Make academic progress: You need to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
  • While you are not required to enroll in the summer, you may use the summer term to help you meet the annual requirement of 21 credit hours, or to retake any previously failed classes to improve your GPA. Please note that this program does not cover summer courses, although other types of financial aid may be available.
  • If you meet the conditions above, you should be on your way to graduating within 6 academic years – which is why the program has a 6-consecutive year limit, whether or not you remained in the Paydirt Promise Program each year.
Tuition and mandatory fees are most of your direct costs, although there may be other expenses that are not covered, such as non-mandatory fees, books, supplies, housing and transportation. Students should be able to avoid student loan debt by paying for these costs out of pocket, but even if you decide to take out a loan, remember to borrow responsibly and only when absolutely necessary.
The Paydirt Promise Program uses a combination of different grants and/or scholarships for which you are already eligible, to cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees each fall and spring semester that you meet the requirements of the program.
HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP?

 

OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS & RECRUITMENT