Deadline Nears for TAMIU Free Tuition Program

Less than a week remains for eligible students to apply for an expanded Texas A&M International University financial aid package designed for low income families that provides a virtually no-cost higher education for qualified students.

“Others may be starting programs, but we’re expanding an initiative that last fall provided over $1.2 million in assistance for 244 students that gave them four academic years of tuition and fee costs to attend TAMIU,” said Dr. Ray Keck, president.

Students eligible for these assistance packages must be full-time and from low-income families with households in which the combined income is less than $30,000 annually, he said.

The assistance package, dubbed the “Dusty Promise,” combines federal, state and institutional funds to meet the tuition and fees for eight 15-hour semesters. Book and housing costs are not included. Students must be admitted to TAMIU, enroll for 15 hours each semester and submit a FAFSA application. The deadline is April 30, 2008.

Up to $350,000 in funds have been set aside for students who qualify and the University project 305 students will qualify, a 25 percent increase over last fall.
 Keck said the University’s drive for additional support has been prompted by its State-recognized growth.


“Over the past five years, we’ve had a 39 percent enrollment growth to over 5,000 students, which effectively drains the University’s scholarship pool,” he explained.

For additional information, contact the University’s Office of Financial Aid at 326.2225, visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 158 or e-mail financialaid@tamiu.edu

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu