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Beyond Tuition:

A Case Study from the The University of Texas at San Antonio

Beyond Tuition: Making the Total College Experience More Affordable

Higher education is the primary driver of economic mobility, and UTSA, as a public, Hispanic Serving institution has a particular responsibility to increase access to higher education and support students through to graduation.

These are incredible gains made in a relatively short period of time—one that included the upheavals caused by a global pandemic.

Students often struggle to balance work and school responsibilities, which can limit their access to valuable, high-impact learning opportunities.

IMPACT OF DEGREE COMPLETION

We understand that degree completion has a large multiplier effect—adding value to the futures of our students, their families and our community, and UTSA consistently ranks among the top institutions in the nation for return on investment.

Time to Degree: From 2012 to 2024, UTSA reduced the average time to degree by almost a year, from 5.3 to 4.4 years.

Loan Debt: In that period, students’ average loan debt upon graduation decreased by $4,300 from $27,774 to $23,471.

Degrees Awarded and Graduation Rates: In the past decade alone, the number of undergraduate degrees awarded has increased by 26%, and the four-year graduation rate has increased by 50%.

EXPANDING SUPPORT BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

To attain these numbers, we had to first rethink how we support our students both in and out of the classroom. Traditional academic and financial support are not enough. At UTSA, over 75% of undergraduate students balance their studies with on- or off-campus jobs. Juggling work, school, and other commitments can impact whether students engage in high-impact practices such as:

Experiential Learning

Faculty-led Research Study Away Programs

Addressing the Cost of Experience

For many students, the cost of engaging in these impactful experiences can be a significant burden, often requiring them to reduce work hours or take on additional jobs to cover the additional expenses—if not making it entirely out of reach. Although UTSA offers scholarships to help cover the cost of attendance (tuition and fees) for high financial need undergraduate students, these funding sources do not cover the cost of experiences to fully engage in all that university life has to offer. To address the cost of experience, UTSA’s Division of Student Success is taking creative approaches to reduce the financial burden associated with high-impact learning opportunities and establish pathways for students to fully engage in the college experience.

Student Testimonials

“I set out to grow in my collaboration skills, intellectual abilities, and cultural awareness. All of that happened. I learned so much from this experience but above all learned how to navigate stress, momentum, uncertainty, failures, tension, and success with my team. I feel much more confident working with diverse teams and navigating emotions, productivity and performance in different circumstances!” -- Global Summer Institute participant

“Through this program, I have gained experience working with Geekdom and local entrepreneurs, doing research to help grow their company. I would definitely recommend it to a friend, any major any background will enjoy it. I will now be able to think in a more professional way about any situation I am presented with. Before I used to focus only on my way of thinking and why it was the right one, now I can collaborate with my peers and make sure we all reach common ground or decide what is best.”

-- Najim Strategist participant

THE NAJIM CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT

The Najim Center for Innovation and Career Advancement at UTSA is overseeing the development of groundbreaking student programming that focuses on personal and professional growth. Understanding that

undergraduates need time and money to explore career options and participate in experiential learning opportunities, the Najim Center has created an extensive ecosystem of career-focused learning experiences:

Week-long innovation sprints, like the Civic and Social Experience Challenge

The 8-week long Najim Strategist program, which assigns teams of students to work on real world issues facing local startups, corporations and non-profits, students can choose from an array of programs with different levels of time commitment.

THE NAJIM CENTER OFFERS PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STUDENTS AS THEY NAVIGATE THE TRANSITION FROM COLLEGE TO CAREER

All of these opportunities are interdisciplinary and open to all students regardless of major or experience—and many come with financial support, such as stipends, that compensate students for their time. In this way, students can engage in high-impact practices outside of the classroom that allow them to develop marketable skills and that work with their schedules.

To further help their transition from college to career, the Najim Center is attentive to students’ holistic development and offers

programming that helps students identify their strengths, practice leadership skills and reflect on their experiences. For example, the Innovate Yourself in 3D program teaches students how to apply life design practices to navigate college and life beyond with confidence and purpose. To date, the Najim Center has forged 71 corporate and community partnerships and distributed over $240,000 in student payments and scholarships that help ease the financial burden associated with the cost of these experiences.

AQUIAE NOBIS VID INATUSELOR

Beyond Tuition: Making the Total College Experience More Affordable

BOLD SCHOLARS PROGRAM

With generous financial support from the UT System to expand opportunities for high-achieving students in the free-tuition Promise Programs, UTSA created the Bold Scholars scholarship and student success program. Introduced in fall 2022, this unique program empowers students to engage more fully in the university experience through a cohort-modeled academic program with financial support for on-campus living during their first year of college at no additional cost. UTSA’s division of Student Success in collaboration with the division of Strategic Enrollment manages this voluntary program, which is reserved exclusively for students who were admitted to UTSA as part of the university’s Bold Promise free tuition program.

Bold Scholars live and thrive in an on-campus community designed to support them in their journey at UTSA. The program provides dedicated support, resources, and community to help students engage early in the university experience, build their network, and participate in career-focused experiential learning.

Bold Scholars benefit from dedicated holistic support from academic advisors, counselors, professional and peer mentors, success coaches and others who help them experience the range of academic support and social engagement programs that make UTSA a model for student success. By providing this unique living-learning community built on support, service and care, students can focus on their academic and personal growth. To date, this program has provided over $2.5 million in additional support to students and the data shows that participants are thriving.

The Bold Scholars living-learning community is one of the many ways UTSA is helping students fully engage in the college experience, regardless of economic background.

UTSA’s Bold Scholars program exemplifies the power of on-campus living. By immersing students in campus life, the program fosters academic success, stronger retention, and essential life skills.

In surveys, 85% of participants who responded believed living on campus contributed to their academic success and helped them feel more connected to UTSA. They also reported having participated in more organized campus activities that occur outside the classroom.

Bold Scholars: A proven path to succes

Bold Scholars are making better grades, taking more credit hours, and returning at a greater rate than other Bold Promise students who are not Bold Scholars.

Student Testimonial

“The Bold Scholars Program has helped me establish my connection to UTSA by helping me find different resources on campus that are available to me, as well as providing workshops and events that offer me the opportunity to connect with other students.”

FIRST-GEN SCHOLARS PROGRAM

The First-Gen Scholars program launched in January 2024, to provide financial and programmatic support aimed at increasing engagement in high-impact practices and experiential learning opportunities for juniors and seniors from historically underserved populations, such as first-generation and low-income students. Traditionally, juniors and seniors receive the least amount of institutional financial aid and are more likely to borrow heavily or leave school due to financial concerns. To address this need, the First-Gen Scholars program combines academic and financial support to help participants access and maximize experiential-learning opportunities and high-impact practices.

First-Gen Scholars receive scholarship funds providing the resources needed to support participation in highimpact practices on campus, within the San Antonio region, across Texas and abroad, such as:

EMPOWERING FIRST-GEN STUDENENTS

Students in the First-Gen Scholars program also have access to peer mentors and faculty coaches. Mentoring is recognized as a highimpact best practice for enhancing success among college students. Peer mentoring, in particular, provides valuable information, resources, and advice that increase student engagement, sense of belonging, and persistence. UTSA academic program leaders recognize the value of mentors for helping students maximize their college experience and have set UTSA on a trajectory to create and enhance programs that pair scholarships with mentoring, coaching, and training programs.

Student Feedback

Scholars are reporting elevated levels of satisfaction with their peer and faculty mentor connections after the Spring 2024 launch: 96% expressed satisfaction with the support provided during the peer mentorship meetings; 94% expressed satisfaction with the support provided during the faculty mentorship meetings.

“I am very thankful for this program.”

By enabling juniors and seniors to participate in experiential learning and high-impact practices, the First-Gen Scholars program enhances students’ marketable skills and increases their competitiveness in the job market. Scholarship support for students pursuing an undergraduate degree allows students to focus on attaining knowledge both in and out of the classroom through these experiences rather than focusing on bridging their financial gaps. Peer mentors and faculty coaches help increase the confidence of mentees and create a place where the cohort of scholars can form a community that will shape and grow their unique talents and interests.

“Overall, this scholarship is helping me pay for my plane ticket to Italy to study abroad this Fall. Super excited for this opportunity.”

“I am excited to continue my journey as a firstgen student!”

First-Gen Scholars: Mentorship, Experience and Success

STUDENT AI PARTNERS

UTSA’s divisions of Student Success and Academic Innovation are committed to fostering innovation and academic growth, providing students opportunities to learn and grow, both in and out of the classroom.

As part of our commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements, we collaborated to design and launch an internship opportunity for motivated and enthusiastic UTSA students interested in Generative AI (artificial intelligence) in Summer 2024. Student AI Partners is a paid internship program that offers students the opportunity to learn about Generative AI, complete microcredentials, contribute to the development of student guidelines and resources for Generative AI, and partner with faculty to identify strategies for the use of AI in the classroom.

Student AI partners gain direct hands-on experience with GenAI technologies while building essential skills in research, communication and collaboration—critical assets for their future careers.

During Summer 2024, our first cohort of Student AI Partners, helped develop AI Essentials: Guidelines and Approaches for UTSA Students. This online resource is designed to help students explore how GenAI is rapidly transforming various fields, including education, while also preparing them to use this new technology responsibly, effectively and ethically. GenAI opens exciting opportunities to enhance students’ educational journeys, foster innovative thinking and prepare students for the careers of the future. Through this program, UTSA is inviting students to help shape how we utilize this generative AI, while also providing crucial compensation for their time and effort. In this way, UTSA is helping minimize the cost of engaging in this experiential learning opportunity.

STUDENT RESPONSE AND IMPACT

We have seen an overwhelmingly positive response to the new AI Essentials resource for students with over 300 students having completed the modules during the first half of fall semester.

97% of those submitting a completion form for a certificate indicated they would recommend the guidelines and resources to their peers.

86% indicated feeling moderately to extremely confident in their ability to use Generative AI in a manner consistent with university policies and best practices after reviewing the AI Essential resource.

Conclusion

In conclusion, UTSA’s commitment to reducing financial barriers and promoting experiential learning is a testament to its dedication to student success and economic mobility. UTSA’s strategic initiatives have not only decreased the average time to degree and reduced student loan debt but have also significantly increased graduation rates and the number of degrees awarded. These achievements highlight UTSA’s role as a leader in higher education, particularly as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

By addressing the cost of experience, UTSA seeks to ensure that all students, regardless of their financial background, can fully engage in high-impact practices that enrich their academic journey and prepare them for the workforce. The Division of Student Success’s innovative approaches to financial support are crucial in helping students balance work, study, and experiential learning opportunities. As UTSA continues to prioritize affordability and access, it sets a powerful example for other institutions striving to enhance student outcomes and promote economic mobility.