UNT is offering free tuition for 4 years to eligible Texan students in 2026
The University of North Texas announced Wednesday that it will cover all costs for first-year students from Texas, including tuition and other mandatory fees.
According to UNT, the “North Texas Promise Program” will begin in the fall 2026 academic year. It guarantees that eligible students who are getting their first bachelor’s degree will have free tuition for up to four years or eight consecutive semesters.
“As the largest university in North Texas, UNT has a special responsibility to expand access to transformative educational opportunities across our region and beyond,” said UNT President Harrison Keller. “With the North Texas Promise, more outstanding Texas students will be able to access a college education that prepares them to unlock their full potential. I am proud we are able to offer this program grounded in our core values and our commitment to create enduring value for the public good.”
To qualify for the program, incoming students must be from Texas and their family income cannot exceed $100,000 per year.
Other requirements include ranking in top 25% of high school classes or being eligible for federal Pell Grants. They must be admitted for the fall 2026 semester by Feb. 15 and have submitted a valid FAFSA. UNT said prospective students should apply and submit their FAFSA in January to allow time for processing.
The Denton-based university, which has a satellite campus in Frisco, said that students who meet the criteria will automatically be considered for the program without having to submit a separate application.
“This program is about making a UNT degree attainable for students who have worked hard and earned their place here, but may be uncertain about affordability,” said Shannon Goodman, UNT’s vice president for enrollment. “The North Texas Promise gives families clarity and confidence that cost will not stand in the way of a college education.”
The average cost for Texans to attend UNT, living on campus and enrolled in 15 hours per semester, was about $28,000 in 2024. UNT has about 46,000 students.
UNT is the latest university to roll out programs to waive tuition and other costs to certain students. In August, TCU announced it would offer free tuition and financial assistance for food and housing starting this fall for eligible Texan students whose families earn less than $70,000.
Texas Wesleyan, UT Arlington, Texas State University, Texas A&M, the University of Houston and Baylor all have programs that will cover tuition for select low-income students, though exact requirements vary. Rice University also has a program that covers tuition, fees and room and board for qualifying students.
UNT said that more than 3,500 fall 2026 freshmen will be eligible for the program.
This story was originally published January 14, 2026 at 7:06 PM.