For many students, the dream of earning a college degree comes with a difficult reality: cost. Tuition, fees, and everyday expenses can quickly add up, making higher education feel out of reach.
At The University of Texas Permian Basin, many Falcons are balancing work, family, and financial responsibilities while pursuing a degree.
That’s why UTPB introduced Falcon Free, a program designed to remove one of the biggest barriers to earning a degree.
Cost of College + Solution
The rising cost of college continues to impact students across the country, and the Permian Basin is no exception. According to recent national data, public university tuition for in-state students has increased by 10 percent since 2020. These increases make it more challenging for students to balance school with work, family, and other financial responsibilities.
Falcon Free covers tuition and mandatory fees for first-time students who are Texas residents and have a family income of $100,000 or less. This program is helping thousands of students pursue their education without the constant pressure of how they will afford it.
How to Apply
One of the most impactful parts of Falcon Free is how simple it is to be considered. There is no separate application or essay you have to write. Students only need to:
- Be admitted to UTPB
- Complete the FAFSA or TASFA
- Meet residency and family income eligibility requirements
Once a student is accepted into Falcon Free, they must accept their award, register for orientation, and enroll full-time by June 1.
The Falcon Free award can continue for four years (eight semesters) if students:
- Maintain full-time enrollment each semester by the census date
- Complete at least 24 credit hours per year
- Meet satisfactory academic progress requirements
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
Impact on Students
For students like Nathaly Gonzales, Falcon Free has opened new doors.
After transferring to UTPB, Nathaly initially assumed the program might be too competitive to qualify for. Like many students coming from larger universities, financial aid opportunities felt uncertain.
That quickly changed.
“It’s really taken a weight off my shoulders,” she said. “I think that it allows me to focus more in school, try out more classes during the semesters that I would normally not do because I would be restricted financially.”
The impact goes beyond academics. Without the burden of tuition, Nathaly and her husband are preparing to close on their first home, a milestone she says would not have been possible otherwise.
Falcon Free is more than a financial aid program. It is part of UTPB’s broader commitment to making higher education accessible and strengthening the regional workforce.
“Although we know that a college degree remains an excellent path to economic prosperity, people have to be able to access and afford college first,” Becky Spurlock, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, said. “UTPB’s Falcon Free program aims to make a college degree a reality for students by providing the necessary financial support to make those dreams come true. We work to keep our costs as low as we can while providing financial aid and scholarships that make it possible, changing the lives of our students and serving the Permian Basin. We are grateful to the UT System for providing the financial support to fund this program.”
By reducing financial barriers, UTPB is helping students not only enroll in college, but build stable futures.
Next Steps
A college degree may be more within reach than you think. Learn more about Falcon Free and see if you qualify.
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