Summary

The University of Texas System has approved a tuition-free program for undergraduate students from families earning $100,000 or less, starting next fall.

The initiative, funded by an immediate $35 million in endowments and long-term investments, seeks to lower student debt and improve access to higher education.

Qualifying students must be Texas residents, enroll full-time, and apply for financial aid.

While the program builds on previous UT tuition relief efforts funded by endowments and oil royalties, critics, including Texas lawmakers, have called it unconstitutional and proposed cutting UT’s budget.