🎓 University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Scholarships (2026–2027)
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Last Updated on February 22, 2026- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit awards and key competitive scholarships
- How to qualify for in-state tuition as an out-of-state student
- Honors College benefits and stacking aid options
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~88% (2024–25 cycle)
- Middle 50% ACT/SAT: Not officially published
- Average HS GPA: ~3.5 (typical admitted student)
Source: UTSA Office of Admissions, College Scorecard, and institutional data (2024–25).
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
University of Texas at San Antonio at a Glance
Last verified: October 14, 2025
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) combines accessibility with opportunity. Its Academic Excellence Scholarship offers guaranteed merit for strong students, while the Distinguished Presidential and Top Scholar programs provide larger competitive awards—including full tuition for a few select recipients.
For families focused on value, UTSA’s combination of automatic merit, competitive scholarships, and the Texas Competitive Scholarship Waiver can make a major university education surprisingly affordable.
FAQ
Does UTSA award automatic merit scholarships? Yes — the Academic Excellence Scholarship is automatic for qualifying freshmen.
What’s the difference between automatic and competitive scholarships? Automatic awards like AES are based solely on GPA/test score; competitive awards like the Distinguished Presidential Scholarship require stronger credentials and limited availability.
Can out-of-state students pay in-state tuition? Yes — any scholarship of $1,000 or more qualifies for the in-state rate under Texas’s Competitive Scholarship Waiver.
What’s the average net price? Around $11,000–$13,000 depending on family income and aid (College Scorecard 2025).
https://www.acceptancerate.com/schools/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio
https://onestop.utsa.edu/scholarships/distinguished-scholarships/distinguished-presidential-scholarship/
https://onestop.utsa.edu/financialaid/types/scholarships/
https://honors.utsa.edu/admissions/faq.html
https://onestop.utsa.edu/financialaid/cost-of-attendance/2025-2026-cost-of-attendance/
https://www.niche.com/colleges/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/admissions/
https://catalog.utsa.edu/undergraduate/honorscollege/honorscollege.pdf
💰 Cost of Attendance at University of Texas at San Antonio (2026–2027)
📅 2026–2027 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2025–2026). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once the university releases official 2026–2027 numbers.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
The following table shows UTSA’s estimated annual direct costs for full-time undergraduate students (15 credit hours per semester) living on campus. These totals include tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals for the 2026–2027 academic year.
| Category | In-State (TX Resident) | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees | $11,448 | $27,748 |
| Housing & Meals (On-Campus) | $15,125 | $15,125 |
| Total (Direct/Billed) | $26,573 | $42,873 |
Note: Costs are based on UTSA’s official 2026–2027 Cost of Attendance estimates. Housing and meal costs vary depending on the residence hall and meal plan chosen. Indirect expenses like books, transportation, and personal items may add $3,000–$5,000 per year.
📉 Average Net Price (after aid)
Federal data show UTSA’s average net price—what families actually pay after grants and scholarships—is approximately $11,000–$13,000 per year, depending on family income. This range aligns with UTSA’s average reported costs for first-time, full-time undergraduates.
The tuition gap between in-state and out-of-state students at UTSA is roughly $16,000 per year. Out-of-state students can significantly reduce that cost through one of the following programs:
- Competitive Scholarship Waiver: Nonresident students who receive a UTSA competitive scholarship of at least $1,000 automatically qualify for the in-state tuition rate for that year.
- Academic Common Market (ACM): UTSA participates in the Academic Common Market for select graduate programs, allowing eligible students from participating states to pay in-state tuition if their chosen program is not offered in their home state.
Savings Example: Out-of-state tuition and fees ($27,748) drop to the in-state rate ($11,448) with a qualifying scholarship or waiver—a $16,300 annual savings, or roughly $65,000 over four years.
👉 Texas State Financial Aid Programs
❓ Cost & Waiver FAQs
How much can families save with the nonresident waiver?
Students who qualify for the waiver pay the Texas in-state rate—saving about $16,000 per year compared to full out-of-state tuition. Over four years, that’s roughly $65,000 in savings.
Is the waiver automatic?
Yes — it is automatically applied if your student earns a qualifying competitive UTSA scholarship (≥$1,000). No separate application is required.
Does UTSA participate in the Academic Common Market?
Yes, but participation is limited to select graduate programs. Undergraduate students can still qualify for in-state rates through scholarships or waivers.
What’s the real average cost after aid?
Most students pay between $11,000 and $13,000 per year after scholarships and grants, depending on income and eligibility.
https://www.utsa.edu/financialaffairs/services/fiscal-services/tuition-fees/tuition-and-fees-schedules.html
https://www.utsa.edu/financialaffairs/services/fiscal-services/tuition-fees/docs/fy25-26-undergraduate.pdf
https://onestop.utsa.edu/financialaid/cost-of-attendance/
https://onestop.utsa.edu/financialaid/cost-of-attendance/2025-2026-cost-of-attendance/
https://www.collegetuitioncompare.com/edu/229027/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/tuition/
https://onestop.utsa.edu/financialaid/types/scholarships/
https://www.utsa.edu/hop/chapter5/5.15.html
https://aggieonestop.tamu.edu/financial-aid/types-of-aid/scholarships/competitive-scholarship-non-resident-tuition-waiver
https://collegeScorecard.ed.gov/school/?229027-The-University-of-Texas-at-San-Antonio
https://www.highered.texas.gov/academic-common-market/
Before you assume how merit works, read the Texas Merit Scholarship Guidelines. We break down GPA recalculation, rank rules, “as funds permit,” renewal credit hours, and out-of-state waiver mechanics.
Automatic Merit Scholarships — University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distinguished Presidential Scholarship | $1,500–$6,000 per year | GPA 3.5+ (unweighted); ACT 26–32 or SAT 1230–1420. Award tiers depend on both GPA and test scores. | No | Yes (4 years) | Commonly awarded to top 20% of admitted freshmen with early applications. | Jan 15 priority |
| Distinguished Transfer Scholarship | $1,000–$4,000 per year | Transfer GPA 3.25+ and 24+ transferable hours. Awards scale with GPA bands. | No | Yes (2 years) | High-achieving transfers from Texas community colleges or other 4-year institutions. | July 1 (fall transfers) |
Award amounts listed are based on 2026–2027 published UTSA ranges. Higher scores within each GPA/test range generally receive the upper tier.
Automatic Scholarship FAQs — UT San Antonio
Do I need a separate application?
No. Automatic merit scholarships are awarded directly from your admission file.
However, UTSA may require you to complete a brief activation form in the
UTSA Scholarship Hub to finalize acceptance.
Are GPA/test score cutoffs fixed?
Not always. Ranges are targets that shift slightly each year based on the applicant pool
and available funding.
Do automatic awards stack with other scholarships or waivers?
Sometimes. Some UTSA scholarships can stack, while others replace smaller awards.
Competitive scholarships of $1,000+ can trigger the non-resident tuition waiver,
reducing out-of-state costs to in-state levels.
What are renewal requirements?
Most awards require maintaining full-time enrollment and a minimum UTSA GPA.
Renewal is typically annual (not semester-based); summer credits don’t count toward renewal.
Note: When UTSA doesn’t publish exact GPA/test bands, CRP uses realistic ranges drawn from official sources, past recipients, and UTSA’s student profile data.
https://onestop.utsa.edu/scholarships/distinguished-scholarships/distinguished-presidential-scholarship/
https://onestop.utsa.edu/scholarships/distinguished-scholarships/distinguished-transfer-scholarship/
https://future.utsa.edu/explore/affordability/
https://onestop.utsa.edu/financialaid/types/bold-promise/
https://www.utsa.edu/hop/chapter5/5.15.html
https://onestop.utsa.edu/financialaid/types/scholarships/
https://utsa.academicworks.com/opportunities/11928
Flagship Scholarships (Competitive Scholarships)
These awards go beyond automatic consideration—expect essays, recommendations, and interviews. Cohorts are small and selection is holistic (leadership, service, and writing matter as much as GPA/test scores).
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTSA Top Scholar Program | Full tuition + room & board + study-abroad funding | Unweighted GPA ~3.8–4.0; ACT 28–36 (most 32+) or SAT 1300–1600 (most 1440+); demonstrated leadership, service, and strong essays; interview required; tied to Honors College. | Yes (via Honors/Top Scholar application) | Yes (up to 4 years) | ~10 students from ~30–35 finalists; typically top 5% of class with sustained leadership and impactful service. | Dec 1 (priority); Jan 15 (final) |
Note for nonresidents: awards at or above $1,000/year designated as “competitive” can trigger Texas’s nonresident tuition waiver. Top Scholar comfortably qualifies.
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
Do I apply separately?
Yes. The Top Scholar process runs through UTSA Honors and includes essays, recommendations, and an interview.
How competitive is it?
Very. Small cohort, with most recipients showing near-top GPAs, 32+ ACT or ~1440+ SAT, and multi-year leadership/service with tangible outcomes.
Does it trigger the nonresident tuition waiver?
Yes. Top Scholar exceeds the $1,000 competitive-scholarship threshold for the in-state tuition rate.
https://www.utsa.edu/topscholars/
https://honors.utsa.edu/topscholars/apply.html
https://utsa.academicworks.com/opportunities/11637
https://honors.utsa.edu/news/2025/08/meet-top-scholars.html
https://future.utsa.edu/explore/affordability/
https://www.utsa.edu/hop/chapter5/5.15.html
Honors College at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)
The UTSA Honors College gives motivated students a small, discussion-based academic community inside a large research university. It’s designed for curious learners—not just perfect test-takers—offering priority registration, mentorship, research funding, and leadership opportunities that help students make the most of their college experience.
Typical Honors Student Profile
- GPA: 3.8–4.0 (unweighted typical range)
- ACT: 28–32+
- SAT: 1320–1450+
- Academic preparation: AP, IB, or dual credit courses; strong writing and analytical skills
- Involvement: Leadership, service, work experience, or creative projects; first-gen and underrepresented students encouraged to apply
Key Honors College Deadlines
- Honors Priority Application: mid-January (aligns with UTSA scholarship deadlines)
- Final Honors Application: early May (space-available basis)
- Scholarship Hub Opens: September 1
- Scholarship Hub Priority Deadline: January 15
- Top Scholar Program Deadline: December 1 (separate application required)
Honors Scholarships at UTSA
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honors College Dean’s Scholarship | Varies (~$1,000+) | Current Honors College students in good standing | Yes | Varies | Active Honors students with high GPA and engagement | Feb 1 |
| Ardow Ameduri, M.D. Honors Scholarship | Varies (~$1,000+) | Honors students with 24+ credits and GPA 3.5+ | Yes | Varies | Upper-division Honors students with academic excellence | Feb 1 |
| Will & Mary Hathaway Honors Endowment | Varies | Honors students demonstrating leadership or service | Yes | Varies | Honors members active in campus or community leadership | Feb 1 |
| Dawson-Durr Memorial Honors Scholarship | Varies | Enrolled Honors students; strong GPA and service record | Yes | Varies | Engaged Honors students with leadership experience | Feb 1 |
| George W. Brackenridge Honors Scholarship | Varies | Honors students demonstrating academic merit | Yes | Varies | Top Honors applicants selected through Scholarship Hub | Feb 1 |
| Catto Endowed Scholarship Fund | Varies | Honors students; preference for first-gen or underrepresented in tech/STEM | Yes | Varies | First-gen and underserved Honors students | Feb 1 |
| Honors Experiential Learning Award | $500–$1,500 | Honors students pursuing research, internships, or study abroad | Yes | No | Engaged Honors students seeking project or travel funding | Rolling |
UTSA Honors College FAQs
Is the UTSA Honors College worth it?
Yes — it offers smaller classes, priority registration, research and internship access, and exclusive scholarships, all without additional tuition cost.
Do Honors students receive extra funding?
They’re eligible for multiple scholarships, including Dean’s, Ameduri, Hathaway, Dawson-Durr, Brackenridge, Catto, and Experiential Learning Awards. Funding is competitive but reserved for Honors participants.
Do I have to be invited to apply?
No. Invitations are extended to strong students, but any admitted UTSA applicant can apply with a thoughtful essay and resume. Leadership and initiative can outweigh slightly lower GPAs or scores.
https://honors.utsa.edu/admissions/process.html
https://honors.utsa.edu/admissions/faq.html
https://future.utsa.edu/freshman/admissions/
https://honors.utsa.edu/scholarships/list.html
https://honors.utsa.edu/scholarships/honors-experiential-learning-award.html
https://honors.utsa.edu/scholarships/
https://www.utsa.edu/studentsuccess/first-gen-scholars.html
https://honors.utsa.edu/about/
https://www.reddit.com/r/UTSA/comments/1hvbpnr/worth_joining_honors_college/
🎯 What UTSA Is Nationally Known For
- Cybersecurity: UTSA’s online B.B.A. in Cyber Security is ranked #5 in the nation by Forbes (2024). The program also holds multiple NSA and DHS National Center of Academic Excellence designations in Cyber Defense Education, Cyber Defense Research, and Cyber Operations — a rare triple recognition in higher education.
- Data Science (Downtown): The School of Data Science anchors UTSA’s tech district in the LEED-Gold San Pedro I facility, designed for collaboration with industry and government partners. While too new for major rankings, it has been spotlighted in national higher ed media as a model for urban research hubs.
- Engineering (Klesse): Ranked nationally by U.S. News & World Report for undergraduate engineering programs, with particular strengths in mechanical and electrical engineering tied to San Antonio’s defense and tech sectors.
- Teacher Preparation (COEHD): UTSA’s College of Education & Human Development’s graduate education programs are ranked in the top 125 nationally by U.S. News (2025), with strong placement rates for Texas school districts.
- HSI + R1 Research Status: UTSA is one of only 24 universities in the U.S. to hold both the Carnegie R1 classification (top 4% of research universities) and be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution, opening unique grant and research opportunities for students.