UT Completion Grants

Every student at The University of Texas at Austin works hard to succeed and graduate in four years. But for some Longhorns, unexpected challenges can stand in the way of achieving their dreams. Completion grants give those students the help they need to cross the finish line.

Completion grants are awarded to students who are at risk of not graduating because of financial need. Since May 2017, UT has provided completion grants totaling $175,212 to help 141 students stay on track, reach their academic goals and earn their degrees. 

We know that completion grants are successful, and the need for them continues to grow. Requests for support have more than doubled since 2017.

The average completion grant is $1,300, with awards ranging from $120 to $4,700. They cover academic costs like:

• Tuition

• University Extension tuition and fees

• Required textbooks

• Community college coursework for students unable to stay in Austin for the summer

• Supplies

• Test proctoring fees​

The true impact of completion grants is seen through the students who receive them. Your gift will help students like:

Daniel Chavez

Attending UT has always been Daniel Chavez’s dream. To cover the cost of living in Austin, Daniel held a sales job back home in Houston all through college. Nearly every Friday, he would drive back to Houston to work before traveling back to Austin on Sunday evening, writing essays in his head as he drove. When the time came for him to graduate, though, Daniel was still three courses away from finishing his degree. His scholarships and Pell grant money were gone. 

Daniel completed those three courses at a community college to cut costs, but one wouldn't transfer back to UT. He had no choice but to leave UT without graduating and go back to work full time.

It felt impossible to save up the $2,500 he’d need to pay for the outstanding course while supporting himself. When he researched other ways to pay, he discovered completion grants. He’s now going to receive his degree this summer.   

"This grant makes that dream you think is two, three miles down the line … it’s right in front of you. If you're thinking about donating, or you've already donated, then you've helped someone, who was struggling to try to make ends meet, jump-start their career. My grant helped me achieve the dream that I came to UT to complete."  

Jamal Fielder

Jamal Fielder first heard about The University of Texas of Austin from a Longhorn alumna and Teach for America corps member in eighth grade. From that moment, Jamal did everything he could to get himself to UT. 

While scholarships cover his tuition, Jamal held multiple jobs during the school years and summers to pay for room, board and the other costs of living in Austin.

With just a few more credits to go, he wanted to take summer courses to graduate sooner, but his scholarships wouldn't cover summer courses. 

Jamal’s completion grant made it possible for him to take summer courses and he is now set to graduate in August. 

"I'm just so thankful that there are people who want to help me out, which makes me in turn want to help other people out and lift other people out of my community."  

Valarie Wimes

Valarie Wimes has always been driven to succeed. She began taking college courses at the age of 16, and her self-described goal in life is to become "the world's greatest humanitarian." 

Because she came to UT with so many college credits, Valarie’s academic path was sometimes confusing for her and her academic advisors. She thought she’d completed her degree requirements when she moved to Atlanta for an internship. She’d only been there for a few weeks when she got a call telling her that she had to come back to UT to complete one last course.

The financial strain of unexpectedly moving back to Austin was difficult, but to make matters worse, her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Valarie had many worries in her life, from her mother's illness to helping care for her siblings, but thanks to a completion grant, graduating wasn't one of them. She received her degree this summer.

"As somebody who's received a grant, it really, really took a lot off my heart. Of all the worries I had, I knew that this wasn't one. When I got to hold my degree a few weeks ago, I just cried. The first thing I did was show it to my mom, because this is all for her."