The University of Texas System is expanding its free tuition program. Starting next fall, undergraduate students from families earning $100,000 or less will be eligible for free tuition and fees at all nine universities in the UT system.
The expansion represents a $35 million investment to ensure broader access to higher education.
The move, reported by The Associated Press, builds on years of efforts by the UT System to make college more affordable. For many students, it’s a lifeline that could change the path of their academic journeys.
But what do current Dallas College students think about the potential effects of this initiative?
“At first, I was a little skeptical,” said Ana Ruiz, a graphic design major at Dallas College . “But when I saw that the income includes families making up to $100,000, I realized this isn’t just for really low-income students but for people from the middle class too, and that’s a huge deal.”
Ruiz, whose own family income is near the threshold, said she hopes other universities follow UT’s lead.
“Even if I don’t go to a UT school, it makes me think college might actually be doable without being in a crazy amount of debt.”
For others, the announcement hit a more emotional button. “I wish something like this had been around when my older siblings were in college,” said Alayah Kent, a business administration student at Richland campus. “They had to work two jobs just to pay for tui-tion. This new program could mean a lot less sacrifices for families like mine.”
Not everyone sees the expansion as a perfect solution. Richland Computer science major Marco Rivera expressed concerns about the program’s eligibility requirements. “It’s great if you’re a Texas resident,” Rivera said. “But I’m personally not, and I still feel like international students deserve to be included.”
Diversity in opinion aside, the potential of the program to reduce student debt resonated strongly.
Sarah Lopiz, a Dallas College Richland Campus accounting student, praised the initiative. “We’ve been hearing about the student debt problem for years. It’s such a relief to see a system as big as UT take actual steps to try and solve it.”
The program is part of a larger trend among higher education institutions aiming to reduce financial barriers. Similar programs at community colleges and universities nation-wide have made college more accessible, particularly for students hesitant to take on loans.
Dallas College Richland Campus student Gabriela Martinez summed up the general sentiment.
“This gives me hope. It shows that education isn’t just for the rich anymore and it’s for everyone willing to work hard. And maybe that’s what we need more of in life.”
