Interesting Letter from UT re: Tuition

[Austinitegirl]

Originally Posted by XodoX

I'm aware of the 10% rule I disagree with you on this. Actually, the state should be concerned about it but UT is still a school that is supposed to provide education to everybody and not jsut those who got the money.

I know "you get what you pay for" but that is ridiculous in my opinion. Education is so essential... if only the rich could go to college then we had a huge problem.

And this is where the fact that UT is a "state" school benefits even the non "rich." The University of Texas at Austin provides comprehensive financial aid programs that allow students without financial means to attend the school. The financial aid office provides 80% of COST OF ATTENDANCE aid to every single student (WHO APPLIES FOR FINANCIAL AID) who has a gross household income under $40,000. It also provides 60% of the cost of tuition and fees for all students with a gross household income under $60,000 and 20% cost of tuition and fees to students with a gross household income under $80,000. That's FREE grant money by the way, not loans. Between the free grant money, Pell Grants, Texas State grants for incoming freshman, not to mention the plethora of scholarships, other need-based grants, and, of course, government-funded loans, there is absolutely no reason why any student with financial need should not be able to attend the University of Texas.

You may know about the Top 10% Rule, but you clearly have no idea how it's affecting UT Austin. UT would LOVE to be able to turn some of the tens of thousands of incoming freshman away so that they could admit more high-performing students. UT Austin is not concerned about driving people away due to tuition costs because they know that, compared to their peer institutions, and considering the high quality education you get from UT Austin - the price tag is very cheap.

You should contact the financial aid office - I bet they can really help you find some ways to help pay your tuition. And you should also contact the School of Engineering - there are always TONS of scholarships available, and although many departments give them away for the entire school year in the fall, they may have some available for spring (if that's when you're coming to UT). I wouldn't be surprised if you can find enough financial assistance to pay for a large portion of your tuition and fees. The rest could be covered with loans.

Good luck and congratulations getting admitted! You've already won half the battle.

[XodoX]

Originally Posted by Austinitegirl

And this is where the fact that UT is a "state" school benefits even the non "rich." The University of Texas at Austin provides comprehensive financial aid programs that allow students without financial means to attend the school. The financial aid office provides 80% of COST OF ATTENDANCE aid to every single student (WHO APPLIES FOR FINANCIAL AID) who has a gross household income under $40,000. It also provides 60% of the cost of tuition and fees for all students with a gross household income under $60,000 and 20% cost of tuition and fees to students with a gross household income under $80,000. That's FREE grant money by the way, not loans. Between the free grant money, Pell Grants, Texas State grants for incoming freshman, not to mention the plethora of scholarships, other need-based grants, and, of course, government-funded loans, there is absolutely no reason why any student with financial need should not be able to attend the University of Texas.

You may know about the Top 10% Rule, but you clearly have no idea how it's affecting UT Austin. UT would LOVE to be able to turn some of the tens of thousands of incoming freshman away so that they could admit more high-performing students. UT Austin is not concerned about driving people away due to tuition costs because they know that, compared to their peer institutions, and considering the high quality education you get from UT Austin - the price tag is very cheap.

You should contact the financial aid office - I bet they can really help you find some ways to help pay your tuition. And you should also contact the School of Engineering - there are always TONS of scholarships available, and although many departments give them away for the entire school year in the fall, they may have some available for spring (if that's when you're coming to UT). I wouldn't be surprised if you can find enough financial assistance to pay for a large portion of your tuition and fees. The rest could be covered with loans.

Good luck and congratulations getting admitted! You've already won half the battle.

Those numbers are not quite correct. Based on my financial aid and of the financial aid of some friends going to UT it's lower.

You may know about the Top 10% Rule, but you clearly have no idea how it's affecting UT Austin.

You are coming off kind of harsh here. Don't know why. I did'nt agree or disagree with you.

Good luck and congratulations getting admitted! You've already won half the battle.

Thank you

[woodinvilleguy]

I predict that UT will become just like UCLA 20 years ago. 20 years ago UCLA was a great school that required and A average and a good SAT school to attend. Now UCLA requires an above an A average and a great SAT score to attend. UCLA is a public school that is much better than USC which is a private school.

But IMHO, UCLA and other big schools focus way too much on research and being published. I'd rather hire someone from CMU than UT anyday. And no I didn't go there. And yes, I was accepted by UCLA but I had to turn them down because we couldn't afford to attend there. (I had great grades and a super SAT score) I ended up doing just fine and am the boss of people from "great" schools.

The rich can afford the payments, the poor can get grants, and the middle class? .... Screwed again. As usual.

[XodoX]

Originally Posted by woodinvilleguy

I predict that UT will become just like UCLA 20 years ago. 20 years ago UCLA was a great school that required and A average and a good SAT school to attend. Now UCLA requires an above an A average and a great SAT score to attend. UCLA is a public school that is much better than USC which is a private school.

But IMHO, UCLA and other big schools focus way too much on research and being published. I'd rather hire someone from CMU than UT anyday. And no I didn't go there. And yes, I was accepted by UCLA but I had to turn them down because we couldn't afford to attend there. (I had great grades and a super SAT score) I ended up doing just fine and am the boss of people from "great" schools.

The rich can afford the payments, the poor can get grants, and the middle class? .... Screwed again. As usual.

I don't think so. UT has steadily improved its ranking over the last years.

[artsyguy]

Are you serious? UT Austin was awful when I was there. Bad attitudes, unfriendly, and no culture what so ever besides football.

Originally Posted by Austinitegirl

Well - fortunately for UT, deterring people from coming isn't actually one of their concerns. It's kind of a rock star of a school (sorry Aggies). You'll probably hear all about the Top 10% Rule soon - that's a rule that states that any Texas high school student, who (academically) falls within the top 10% of their graduating class, is guaranteed admission into any Texas State School they want - and most of them want to come to UT Austin, so the school is absolutely choking on this rule by the huge influx of tens of thousands of incoming freshman every year.

So - yes, it's a "state school," but one with a private school reputation in terms of research and academics. Once you get here you'll understand.

[artsyguy]

UT at Austin's most recent ranking dropped by about 10 points.

Originally Posted by XodoX

I don't think so. UT has steadily improved its ranking over the last years.

[TexianPatriot]

If they want to charge such high tuition rates, why do we continue to subsidize these schools with money that could be going back into taxpayer pockets?

For the record, I did get admitted into UT Austin without being in the top 10% of my class as a part of an early summer program for freshmen that they wanted to test before they would admit them with the coming fall class. When I learned it was going to cost $2000 just for the 9 hour summer session, I blew it off and went to community college to get my basics out of the way. I'll be transfering to Tarleton State in the Spring of 2009. UT and their bloated bureaucracy can kiss this, (not that any "state" school in Texas offers truly reasonable tuition).

[XodoX]

Originally Posted by artsyguy

UT at Austin's most recent ranking dropped by about 10 points.

No, it did not. Up by 5...

[artsyguy]

Show me the rankings.

Originally Posted by XodoX

No, it did not. Up by 5...

[XodoX]

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