Understanding the Cost of Attendance at UTSA: A Comprehensive Guide

For prospective students, understanding the financial implications of attending university is crucial. The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is committed to providing transparent information regarding tuition costs and available financial aid options. This article breaks down the various components of UTSA's cost of attendance, including tuition and fees, housing and meals, and other potential expenses, along with available financial aid opportunities.

Tuition and Fees: A Detailed Breakdown

The University of Texas Board of Regents is authorized to set tuition, and they may consider proposed increases at upcoming board meetings. Tuition costs at UTSA vary depending on several factors, including residency status (in-state or out-of-state) and enrollment status (full-time or part-time). Here's a detailed breakdown of tuition and fees for non-resident students:

Full-Time Undergraduate: \$27,598
Part-Time Undergraduate: \$17,140
Full-Time Graduate: \$28,134
Part-Time Graduate: \$18,996
Less Than Half-time Graduate: \$9,942

Note that students in specific colleges may be charged differential fees per semester credit hour (SCH) for upper-division coursework.

These figures represent the average cost of tuition and fees for a typical student based on enrollment status. For undergraduates, full-time enrollment is defined as 30 hours per year, while part-time is 18 hours per year. For graduate students, full-time enrollment is 18 hours per year, and part-time is 12 hours per year.

Understanding the Cost of Attendance (COA)

Knowing how much it will cost to attend college is important for making an informed decision. UT San Antonio determines a cost of attendance (COA) each year, which includes not only your tuition and fees, but an estimated average of additional costs that cover most expenses students will incur while attending. UT San Antonio bases your financial aid on the COA, although the actual cost of attending will vary depending on your living arrangements and personal spending habits. The COA is needed to help calculate your financial need, and it sets a limit on the total aid that you may receive. It consists of both Direct Cost and Indirect Cost.

Read also: UTSA Student Population

Direct Costs

Direct Costs are expenses you will pay UT San Antonio, which includes tuition and fees and on-campus housing and meals.

Indirect Costs

Indirect Costs are costs you may incur while you attend UT San Antonio but do not pay UT San Antonio directly.

Components of the COA

The Cost of Attendance (COA) at UT San Antonio encompasses various expenses beyond just tuition and fees. These include:

Tuition and Fees: As detailed above, this is the direct cost of enrollment.
Housing and Meals: A reasonable estimate of what it would cost to live in San Antonio while attending school. Actual costs may vary by individual choices related to location and circumstances.
Transportation: Average transportation expenses for at home students and off-campus students are based on an average 30 mile round trip to campus.
Miscellaneous: Average expenses are calculated based on potential expenses that you may incur based on whether you are living on campus, off campus or at home with your parents.
Books: An allowance for books and supplies.

Your COA will be determined by your housing plans and your expected enrollment. Please remember that your COA may be higher than your actual direct cost at UT San Antonio.

Financial Aid Opportunities at UTSA

UT San Antonio offers a variety of financial aid that spans from grants, scholarships, work study, and loans. You must be admitted to UT San Antonio and have a financial aid application on file in order to be offered financial aid. To know what you qualify for in financial aid, you must submit a FAFSA to UT San Antonio. Submit your FAFSA before the financial aid priority deadline to maximize your opportunity for grants. Citizens, we use the The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as our financial aid application. We use the information you submit to determine your eligibility for grants, scholarships, loans and work-study options. You can begin filling out the FAFSA on October 1.

Read also: Comprehensive UTSA Guide

Applying for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). UT San Antonio's FAFSA code is available on the university's financial aid website. By submitting the FAFSA, students can determine their eligibility for various federal, state, and institutional aid programs.

Once you submit your FAFSA and TASFA, UT San Antonio will be able to download your file. Once loaded, there will be financial aid requirements you must complete each year. These are called “outstanding requirements” which can be found on your myUTSA Account by going to “App Financial Aid” button under the Quick Launch card. Note: You will be prompted to authenticate yourself through your DUO account when trying to access information after this point. Don’t have a DUO account? Click here to learn how to set it up. Once in, select the applicable Aid Year at the top right corner on the “Home” tab under the “Student Requirements” section. You will see any outstanding requirements listed under “Unsatisfied Requirements.” Pro-tip: Be sure to submit your paperwork as quickly as possible for processing.

Types of Financial Aid

UT San Antonio offers a comprehensive range of financial aid options, including:

Grants: These are typically need-based and do not require repayment.
Scholarships: These are merit-based or need-based and do not require repayment.
Work-Study: This program allows students to earn money through part-time employment while attending school.
Loans: These must be repaid with interest.

UTSA Scholarship Programs

UT San Antonio offers many general scholarships through the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, which vary in eligibility requirements and award amounts. These scholarships are funded by donors and endowments and can vary from year to year. UT San Antonio colleges and departments offer scholarships for students who have declared majors and degrees in their area. Outside scholarships are available to students from various donors outside of UT San Antonio (such as scholarship organizations, foundations and businesses).

Several specific scholarship programs are available to UTSA students, including:

Read also: Navigating UTSA Student Services

Distinguished Presidential Scholarship (DPS): Fall admitted freshmen will be given automatic consideration for the Distinguished Presidential Scholarship (DPS) based on academic merit. This scholarship is valued up to $24,000, while funding is available, for up to four years if renewal eligibility is maintained. The value is awarded on a competitive basis.
Terry Scholarship: Summer and Fall applicants who demonstrate leadership potential and financial need may be eligible for the Terry Scholarship. Freshmen must apply by Dec 1 to be considered. Once admitted to the university, the most competitive candidates will be invited to interview.
UT San Antonio Top Scholar Program: The UT San Antonio Top Scholar program is a 4-year enhanced experience and scholarship covering tuition, fees, housing and meals.
UT San Antonio ACE Scholar Program: The Access College and Excel (ACE) Scholar Program supports incoming freshman from one of 14 San Antonio high schools (Brackenridge, East Central, Edison, Fox Tech, Harlandale, Highlands, Jefferson, Kennedy, Lanier, McCollum, Memorial, Sam Houston, Southside, Southwest) to transition from high school to college as successful as possible.
Bold Promise: Incoming fall freshmen who qualify will have their tuition covered 100% for eight fall/spring semesters. The semesters must be taken consecutively within a 4-year time period (approx. $44,000 value across four years) and eligibility must be maintained.

Additional Financial Resources

If you opt out of applying for federal or state financial aid (although our recommendation is that you still should, it’s free!), you should still submit a general scholarship application.

Military Benefits: Military benefits help qualifying veterans and their family members get money to cover some or all of the costs for school.
Net Price Calculator: UT San Antonio’s Net Price Calculator is designed to help current and prospective students, their families and other consumers estimate the net price of a given higher education institution.

UTSA: An Overview

UT San Antonio is a comprehensive institution committed to access and excellence. Students benefit from early research opportunities, hands-on learning and global engagement. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, UT San Antonio supports a diverse student population, including 44% first-generation college students. With six campuses, including the UT San Antonio Health Science Center and the San Pedro I building for data science and cybersecurity, the university is shaping the future of education, healthcare and innovation.

Academics

UT San Antonio offers competitive degree and certificate programs across disciplines such as liberal arts, engineering, business, public health, medicine and biomedical sciences. Faculty are deeply committed to student success, and the university’s academic model emphasizes collaborative learning, real-world application and interdisciplinary research. UT San Antonio is driving innovation that improves lives and strengthens communities.

Campus Life

Rooted in one of the nation’s most dynamic and diverse metropolitan areas, UT San Antonio provides a vibrant campus experience. Students enjoy a wide range of housing options, dining facilities and recreational spaces, including the Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence for athletic training. Campus life is enriched by cultural events, student organizations and a strong sense of community that reflects the university’s commitment to belonging.

Admissions

UT San Antonio is committed to expanding access to higher education. The university welcomes students from all backgrounds and offers robust support for academic and personal success.

Rankings & Outcomes

UT San Antonio is consistently ranked among the top institutions for information technology, architecture and campus food. The university’s commitment to excellence and innovation positions its alumni for long-term success in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Graduate Education at UTSA

With UT San Antonio’s newly acquired status as a Carnegie R1 institution with NRUF eligibility, graduate education has become even more vital to our mission and strategic vision. Graduate students play a critical role in faculty scholarship and the university’s research and teaching missions.

Graduate School Professional Development (GSPD) Awards

Graduate School Professional Development (GSPD) Awards provide supplemental support for students to attend major professional meetings at which they make a presentation (paper, poster, other appropriate form of presentation) based on their research or scholarly work. UT San Antonio’s commitment to excellence in graduate research training is crucial to our institution’s success. One measure of graduate research training success is the number of external federal fellowships awarded to UT San Antonio graduate students. Several agencies have excellent opportunities for students to gain recognition for outstanding research activity.

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