• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Living

University of Texas at Austin to offer free tuition to students from families that make less than $65K

0:26
School pledges free tuition for many students
Jon Herskovitz/Reuters, FILE
Catherine Thorbecke
ByCatherine Thorbecke
July 09, 2019, 10:43 PM

At a time when college tuition costs -- along with student loan debt -- are soaring across the country, the University of Texas at Austin announced Tuesday that it will provide free tuition for all in-state students whose families earn less than $65,000 a year.

The funding comes from a new $160 million endowment that the the University of Texas System's Board of Regents voted to establish from the state's Permanent University Fund (which includes money from oil and gas royalties earned from state-owned land), and should start benefiting students as soon as the fall 2020 semester, the college announced in a statement.

In this file photo, people walk at the University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas, on June 23, 2016.
Jon Herskovitz/Reuters, FILE

Related Articles

(MORE: 5 things college counselors want teens and families to know in the wake of massive college admissions cheating scandal)

The median household income in Texas was $57,051 between 2013 and 2017, according to recentU.S. Census data. At the moment, the new tuition assistance would only apply to students at the University of Texas at Austin.

Related Articles

(MORE: Teen gets accepted to 17 colleges after overcoming homelessness)

Editor’s Picks

$3 million gift helps 30 students in inaugural medical school class at U. Houston

  • Jul 19, 2018

Teen gets accepted to 17 colleges after overcoming homelessness

  • Mar 14, 2019

5 things college counselors want teens, parents to know in wake of cheating scandal

  • Mar 13, 2019

“Recognizing both the need for improved access to higher education and the high value of a UT Austin degree, we are dedicating a distribution from the Permanent University Fund to establish an endowment that will directly benefit students and make their degrees more affordable,” Kevin Eltife, chairman of the University of Texas System Board of Regents, and a UT Austin alum, said in a statement.

“This will benefit students of our great state for years to come,” he added.

The new endowment will "completely cover tuition and fees for students from families that earn up to $65,000 a year who have financial need," according to school's website. In addition, it will also provide tuition support to students who have financial need from families with incomes of up to $125,000.

Editor’s Picks

$3 million gift helps 30 students in inaugural medical school class at U. Houston

  • Jul 19, 2018

Teen gets accepted to 17 colleges after overcoming homelessness

  • Mar 14, 2019

5 things college counselors want teens, parents to know in wake of cheating scandal

  • Mar 13, 2019

Up Next in Living—

Summer solstice 2025: When is the 1st day of summer?

June 16, 2025

June's full strawberry moon: See photos and what it means for your zodiac

June 11, 2025

High school athlete somersaults to track and field championship win

June 10, 2025

Michaels buys Joann brand, plans to expand crafting supply to meet demand

June 6, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News