UT System Regents Approve UTEP Tuition and Fees Increase

The University of Texas System Board of Regents voted May 3 to authorize a tuition and fees increase of 2.2 percent for resident undergraduate students at The University of Texas at El Paso beginning in fall 2012, and an additional 2.2 percent in fall 2013.

The increase applies to all undergraduate students and will amount to an estimated $76 per semester for a resident undergraduate student taking 15 credit hours. For resident and nonresident graduate students, the authorized increase is 3.6 percent each year.

“We are pleased that the Regents have authorized this because it affords us an opportunity to ensure the quality of the educational experience we offer our students,” said UTEP President Diana Natalicio. “We understand the price sensitivity of our students and we work hard to keep tuition down. We have the lowest tuition of any of the emerging research universities in Texas.”

Every two years, UTEP leaders determine the tuition and fees rates for the next two years. For 2012-14, a committee primarily made up of UTEP students recommended a tuition increase to expand course offerings, retain quality faculty, offer additional financial aid resources and further develop UTEP’s educational programs. A particular emphasis will be given to programs that reduce a student’s time to degree and improve four-year graduation rates.

“We needed to strike that balance between providing a tuition that students could afford while also providing us the opportunity to increase academic capacity and to continue to invest in the support programs and the student success programs that we have found to be very successful here on campus,” said Gary Edens, Ed.D., interim vice president for student affairs. “We feel very confident that we will put this money to good use.”

Find more detailed information about tuition at UTEP and the University’s original proposal at tuitionandfees.utep.edu.

The additional resources will be used to:

Expand Course Offerings:  As UTEP continues to grow, additional courses are required to meet students’ enrollment needs. Online courses and courses offered during the summer semesters are especially critical as students work to complete their degree in a timely manner. Additional resources will be used to hire and retain quality faculty, optimize utilization of new campus facilities and increase the number of courses available for students during the academic year. 

Invest in Effective Programs:  UTEP has a long history of providing innovative programs and strategies that support students during their time at the University. The Entering Students Program is nationally recognized as a model of excellence. Expansion of advising and the centralization of enrollment services have provided students with greater support and convenience. Campus life and engagement programs have grown to better meet the needs of UTEP’s student population. As a result of these and other efforts, UTEP was recently recognized as an Engaged Campus by the Carnegie Foundation. Student engagement, innovative support services and strong academic advising have been UTEP priorities and continuing investment in these activities is important.

Provide Student Incentive Award:  New to the UTEP campus, undergraduate students will receive a $250 incentive award if they complete 36 credit hours in good standing during an academic year. Starting in fall 2013, the award will be provided as a credit to a student’s tuition bill for the semester immediately following the completion of 36-hours in a year. For example, if a student takes 15 hours in the fall semester, 15 hours in the spring semester and 6 hours in the summer semester and completes all of the courses in good standing, then he or she will receive a $250 credit to the tuition bill the following semester. Students can mix and match the number of hours they enroll during any given semester as long as the total in one year is 36 completed hours.

This plan will adhere to UTEP’s core institutional values of providing access and opportunity to the people of the El Paso region and the State of Texas. Coupled with access is a commitment to excellence reflected in rigorous programs, which prepare students to make significant contributions to their professions, their communities and the world.

"UTEP is going through a period of expansion which affords students greater opportunities to succeed and be competitive in the future workforce,” said Pablo Padilla, UTEP’s Student Government Association president. “This tuition increase was carefully considered and assessed to ensure the continuous growth of UTEP by recruiting and retaining top faculty and being able to invest in new opportunities for students. The student majority committee carefully formulated a plan that will benefit UTEP students and aid in the degree completion while keeping UTEP's mission of access and excellence."

Beginning in the fall semester of 2012, all students enrolled at that time will be subject to the increased tuition rates, regardless of classification.

UTEP is facing significant cuts in funding, including a $27 million dollar cut in state appropriations for the current biennium. University leaders have taken many steps to absorb this reduction in appropriations including reduced staffing, aggressive energy management strategies, implementing a limited hiring freeze, a two-year suspension of the computer replacement program and following a conservative overall budget management strategy. All of these measures are simply not enough to offset the reduction in funding. This tuition increase is an important way for UTEP to continue providing a quality education and essential programming for student success.  

Information about grants, loans and other forms of financial aid available to students can be found at UTEP’s Office of Financial Aid. Students are also encouraged to apply for scholarships and seek out on-campus student employment.