Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · Edinburg, TX
How students pay for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Sticker price $17,358 a year. After grants, the average student pays $4,858, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $3,681 to $14,327.
- 94%admitted
- 28,666undergraduates
- 55%graduate
- 52%get a grant from the school
Free tuition program
UTRGV Tuition Advantage
Who: Students with family income of $125,000 or less and unmet financial need who file the FAFSA or TASFA by April 1 each year; new freshmen must be admitted by April 1 and be in the top 25% of their class or have a 19 ACT / 990 SAT; transfers need a GPA above 2.5 What: Covers tuition and mandatory fees left after federal, state and other gift aid, for students taking 15+ credit hours; first come, first served
Official details →What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $19,713 a year versus $9,993 for Texas residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
52%grant from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valleyavg $3,788
72%Federal Pell Grantavg $6,102
71%state grantavg $5,829
14%federal student loanavg $3,832
Scholarships from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Awards the school itself offers, as published on its own website (checked 2026-10-28). Amounts and deadlines change: confirm on the linked page.
- UTRGV Scholars Program (Presidential, Distinguished, Meritorious)Presidential up to $32,000; Distinguished up to $42,000 (out-of-area students only, includes 2 years of housing); Meritorious up to $20,000
Entering freshmen admitted by December 1; renewable for 4 years with 15 hours a semester, 30 hours a year and a 3.0 GPA.
- MSA ScholarshipFull tuition and fees, $500 a semester for books, and double-occupancy housing not covered by other aid
Entering freshmen selected from those admitted by December 1; renewable for up to 2 years with a 3.0 GPA.
- UTRGV Housing ScholarshipUp to $10,000
Entering freshmen who live on campus and submit a housing application on time; renewable for up to 2 years with a 3.0 GPA.
- Gateway ScholarshipOne-time, up to $3,000
Entering freshmen admitted by December 1, awarded competitively.
- Top 10% ScholarshipOne-time $1,000
Top 10% graduates of high schools in Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Starr or Zapata counties without another UTRGV award of $1,000 or more.
- VAMOS/UTRGV Endowed Scholars Program
Admitted high school seniors who apply through the UTRGV Foundation and VAMOS partnership.
- Transfer Merit ScholarshipUp to $6,000 total (3.5-4.0 GPA) or up to $5,000 total (3.0-3.49 GPA) over 2 years
Transfer students admitted by the fall or spring priority deadline, based on transfer GPA.
Priority FAFSA deadline: April 1, 2027 (FAFSA/TASFA, for Tuition Advantage). CSS Profile: not required.
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · Texas
TEXAS Grant
Set each year by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; your school's aid office shows the current amount
Who qualifies: Texas residents with financial need who enrol at a Texas public university within 16 months of graduating high school (or 12 months of an associate degree).
How: File the FAFSA or TASFA. Priority deadline: 15 January.
Official rules →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in Edinburg
| Studio | $880/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $890/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $560/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 78539. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$7.25/hour minimum wage in Texas
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $3,262 before tax. That covers about 6 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: Texas follows the federal minimum wage. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$12,250median federal debt≈ $139/month over 10 years
$52,947median earnings10 years after enrolling
55%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Does The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offer free tuition?
Yes: UTRGV Tuition Advantage. Students with family income of $125,000 or less and unmet financial need who file the FAFSA or TASFA by April 1 each year; new freshmen must be admitted by April 1 and be in the top 25% of their class or have a 19 ACT / 990 SAT; transfers need a GPA above 2.5 Covers tuition and mandatory fees left after federal, state and other gift aid, for students taking 15+ credit hours; first come, first served.
What scholarships does The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley offer?
UTRGV Scholars Program (Presidential, Distinguished, Meritorious) (Presidential up to $32,000; Distinguished up to $42,000 (out-of-area students only, includes 2 years of housing); Meritorious up to $20,000); MSA Scholarship (Full tuition and fees, $500 a semester for books, and double-occupancy housing not covered by other aid); UTRGV Housing Scholarship (Up to $10,000); Gateway Scholarship (One-time, up to $3,000); Top 10% Scholarship (One-time $1,000). Details and deadlines are on the school's financial aid pages.
How much does The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $4,858 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $3,681 to $14,327. The full cost of attendance before aid is $17,358.
Does The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 52% of first-year students received a grant from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley itself, averaging $3,788. 72% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $6,102).
How much is rent near The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (78539) is $890 a month for a one-bedroom and $1,120 for a two-bedroom, about $560 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley?
Yes. The minimum wage in Texas is $7.25 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $3,262 before tax.
How much debt do The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $12,250, about $139 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $52,947.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. How these pages work.
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