Definitions

"B-On-Time" Loan Program

The Texas “B-On-Time” Loan Program provides eligible Texas students no-interest loans to attend colleges and universities in Texas. If the student meets specified goals, the entire loan amount can be forgiven upon graduation. Due to limited funding for this state grant, students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. UTPA’s recommended priority deadline for financial aid is March 1 of every year. Eligibility requirements include 1) Texas resident; 2) graduated 2002-2003 academic year or later under the recommended high school program from public or accredited private high school in Texas or received an associate’s degree from an eligible institution no earlier than May 1, 2005; 3) has not earned a bachelor’s degree; 4) enrolled full time in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at an eligible institution; and 5) has completed a FAFSA and is eligible to receive federal financial aid.

Cost of Education Committee

A committee of 17-voting members (nine students, two faculty members, and six staff members) and one non-voting member (the vice president for Business Affairs) formed to (1) evaluate tuition and fee proposals, (2) conduct public forums to present their recommendations and solicit feedback, and (3) make recommendations to the president.

Dual credit hours

Hours for which a student received simultaneous academic credit for a course from both an institution of higher education and a high school.

Excess credit hours

Institutions are not permitted to submit excess credit hours for formula funding, but they may charge a higher rate of tuition, not to exceed the non-resident undergraduate rate, to resident undergraduates who have previously attempted hours (including dual credit hours) in excess of the limits. UTPA does intend to apply a charge beginning in fiscal year 2007. For students initially enrolling in an institution of higher education in fall 1999 and subsequent terms, but before the fall 2006 term, excess credit hours are those exceeding by at least 45 hours the minimum hours required for the degree program (including the additional hours required for minors and double majors) in which a student is enrolled. For students initially enrolling in fall 2006 and subsequent terms, this limit is reduced to 30 hours in excess of the minimum required for the degree.

Fees

Incidental Fees - Fees permitted under Texas Educ. Code § 54.504 to be charged at rates to reflect the actual costs of materials or services and which are not separately authorized under other statutes. Examples are the voluntary fees, some mandatory fees, and several course and program fees.

Mandatory Fees - Fees which are assessed to all enrolled students. At UTPA, these include the computer access fee, library technology fee, registration fee, medical service fee, student service fee, student union fee, the international education fee, and (for undergraduates only) the advisement fee.

Voluntary Fees - Fees which are avoidable and are not requirements for enrollment in a particular class or program. Examples include the late registration fee and library fines.

Formula Funding

Most state support of public colleges and universities is appropriated according to formulas. There are three components to formula funding. First, instruction and operations support is calculated according to semester credit hour enrollment, class and student levels (lower division, upper division, masters, etc.), and academic discipline (liberal arts, science, etc.). Second, an additional 10 percent teaching experience supplement is provided for undergraduate hours taught by tenured and tenure-track faculty. Finally, infrastructure support is derived by the predicted square footage available for educational and general activities.

Institutional Enhancement Funds

A specific state appropriation to institutions of higher education which is separate from formula funding revenue. At UTPA, these funds are used to balance the operating budget and to foster various instruction, research, and public service activities with an emphasis on providing seed money to new programs. The Institutional Enhancement funds appropriated to UTPA are only one of several items referred to as Special Line Items. Other line items that are appropriated to UTPA include funding for the Starr County Upper Level Center and for the Cooperative Pharmacy program.

Pell Grants

Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. Pell Grants do not have to be repaid. Eligibility for the Pell Grant is determined by the U.S. Department of Education based on results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Students do not have to be registered full time to receive the Pell Grant. The amount of Pell Grant will be determined by the maximum award range set by the U.S. Department of Education, the Expected Family Contribution (EFC Number) and enrollment status.

Retention Scholarships

The UTPA Retention Scholarship was established in fall 2001 to recognize students for their academic excellence during their freshman year. Based on their academic performance, students are awarded this one year scholarship during their sophomore year to assist students with their educational expenses.

Stafford Loan

Stafford Loans are low-interest rate loans available for both undergraduate and graduate students. The loans you receive will be either subsidized or unsubsidized.

A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. You won’t be charged any interest before you begin repayment or during deferment periods. The federal government “subsidizes” the interest during these periods.

An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. You’ll be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it’s paid in full. If you allow the interest to accrue (accumulate) while you’re in school or during other periods of nonpayment, it will be capitalized. This means the interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan, and additional interest will be based on that higher amount.

A PLUS loan is a loan your parents can get to pay for your education expenses if you’re a dependent undergraduate student enrolled at least half time. Also, your parents must have no adverse credit history. PLUS loans are unsubsidized.

Tuition

Statutory Tuition - Tuition required to be charged at the rate mandated by the state to all students except in those cases in which a waiver is specifically authorized by statute. The statutory tuition is further broken down into resident and non-resident components. The resident rate is set by statute while the non-resident rate is set via regulation by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Graduate Differential Tuition - This is often referred to simply as differential tuition, since it is the differential in rates between the undergraduate and graduate programs. State statute allows the governing boards of higher education institutions to charge tuition, above the statutory amounts described elsewhere, for graduate programs at an amount that is not more than twice the statutory rate. However, the state does not require institutions to charge the same rate to all graduate programs. Further, the state allows institutions to set the rate for pharmacy and law schools at a rate up to three times the statutory rates.

Designated Tuition – This is the rate that the state allows the governing boards of higher education institutions to charge as tuition, in addition to statutory tuition and graduate differential tuition. More specifically, higher education institutions are allowed to charge a rate which the board “considers necessary for the effective operation of the institution.” More importantly, the state requires institutions to set aside 20 percent of resident undergraduate and 15 percent of resident graduate designated tuition rates that are in excess of $46 per Semester Credit Hour (SCH) for need-based financial assistance.

TEXAS Grants

The Texas Legislature established the TEXAS (Towards Excellence, Access and Success) Grant to assist deserving high school graduates with financial need to attend college. The TEXAS Grant, in combination with other aid, pays tuition and fees at the state's public colleges and universities. Due to limited funding for this state grant, students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. UTPA’s recommended priority deadline for financial aid is March 1 of every year.

University Scholars Program

Entering freshmen from Brooks, Cameron, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Kenedy, Kleberg, Nueces, Starr, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata counties who earned college credit through Advanced Placement examinations and/or through the Concurrent Enrollment program at UTPA or are International Baccalaureate diploma recipients, may qualify for a four-year renewable scholarship and the special designation of "University Scholar."

Source: UTPA Budget Office and UTPA of the Budget and UTPA Student Financial Services and Scholarships Office