University of Texas at El Paso Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit scholarships and eligibility tiers
- Competitive and departmental awards worth exploring
- Honors College perks and full-ride opportunities
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~99%
- Middle 50% ACT: 17–22
- Middle 50% SAT: 910–1110
- Average HS GPA (middle 50%): 3.1–3.8
Source: UTEP Common Data Set 2024–25 and BigFuture overview. Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
UTEP at a Glance
Last verified: October 18, 2025
The University of Texas at El Paso keeps college affordable through a mix of automatic merit, need-based grants, and its flagship Paydirt Promise program. Eligible Texas residents earning $85,000 or less can attend tuition-free, and out-of-state students can earn in-state rates with even modest scholarships.
Combined with low overall costs and strong support for first-generation students, UTEP is one of the most affordable public universities in the UT System—and a hidden gem for families balancing cost and quality.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — UTEP is test-optional through 2026 and uses GPA and class rank for merit and admissions review.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 17–22; SAT: 910–1110 (for students who submitted scores).
What’s the average net price? About $10,333/year after aid. See our Net Price & SAI guide.
Does this school use reciprocity or OOS waivers? Yes — nonresident students earning at least $1,000 in UTEP scholarships qualify for in-state tuition via the Competitive Scholarship Waiver.
💰 Cost of Attendance at UTEP
| Expense | Texas Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees (full-time, 12–18 credits) | $8,508 | $21,164 |
| Housing & Meals (standard on-campus plan) | $10,996 | $10,996 |
| Estimated Total (before aid) | $19,504 | $32,160 |
• New Mexico Resident Waiver: Eligible New Mexico residents may pay the Texas resident tuition rate — a savings of about $12,656/year based on current tuition & fee rates. Apply via UTEP’s Admissions/Residency Office.
• Competitive Scholarship Waiver: Nonresident students who earn a competitive scholarship of $1,000+ may pay the Texas resident rate for the award term (must be a competitive award and verified by the Office of Scholarships).
• Academic Common Market (Graduate Only): Texas participates in ACM at the graduate level only. Graduate students from participating SREB states may qualify for in-state rates if their program is ACM-approved and not offered in their home state (state certification required).
FAQs about Waivers
Who qualifies? New Mexico residents or any nonresident who earns a $1,000+ competitive scholarship (verification required). Graduate students may qualify through the Academic Common Market if their program is approved and they are certified by their state.
How much can you save? Roughly $12,656 per year vs. the standard nonresident tuition & fee rate when a waiver applies.
Do I need to apply? Yes. Waivers are not automatic—submit the required documentation to UTEP’s Residency or Scholarship office. ACM requires home-state certification before UTEP applies in-state rates.
University COA page: https://www.utep.edu/financial-aid/more-information/cost-of-attendance.html
Tuition & Fees schedules: https://www.utep.edu/vpba/student-business-services/tuitition-fees-schedule/
New Mexico resident waiver (Residency): https://www.utep.edu/student-affairs/admissions/resources/residency.html
Competitive Scholarship Waiver (UTEP Catalog): https://catalog.utep.edu/paying-college/student-financial-resources/
Texas ACM (graduate-only policy): https://www.highered.texas.gov/academic-common-market/
College Scorecard (average annual cost): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?228796-The-University-of-Texas-at-El-Paso
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
Some colleges publish GPA/test score charts where awards are automatic with admission. UTEP does not have that kind of system for 2025–2026. Instead, all freshman academic scholarships require an application through the UTEP Excellence Scholarship portal. That means there are no “assured” automatic merit scholarships at UTEP this year.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | — | UTEP does not publish automatic freshman merit tiers | — | — | Use the Competitive section below instead |
Note: Some universities offer automatic GPA/test-based scholarships. UTEP uses a competitive application process instead. Families should focus on the Excellence Scholarship and Presidential Scholarship in the next section.
FAQs about Automatic Merit at UTEP
Do I get a scholarship automatically with a certain GPA? No. UTEP requires a separate application for academic scholarships.
Is test-optional accepted? Yes. UTEP does not require SAT/ACT scores for the scholarship application.
Can these stack with waivers? Winning a $1,000+ UTEP scholarship can trigger the Competitive Scholarship Waiver, letting nonresidents pay in-state tuition. However, UTEP typically awards only the single highest-value institutional scholarship per student.
utep.edu/excellence/
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fastweb.com/college-scholarships/university-of-texas-el-paso-academic-scholarship
facebook.com/UTEPFinancialAid/
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🏆 Competitive Scholarships
UTEP’s main merit opportunities come through competitive scholarships. These require a separate application and are awarded based on GPA, class rank, essays, leadership, and service. The biggest awards, including the Presidential Scholarship, go to a very limited number of top applicants.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excellence Scholarship | $2,000–$8,000/year (up to 4 years) | Incoming freshmen; strong GPA/class rank (top 25% typical); essays; full-time enrollment | Yes — UTEP Scholarship Portal (opens Oct 1; deadline Jan 31) | Yes (3.0 GPA, 30 credits/year, service activities) | ~3.6+ GPA* and top 25% class rank; strong essays, leadership/service *estimate |
Jan 31 |
| Presidential Scholarship | Up to full Cost of Attendance (~$20,000/year) Limited (~5 awards/year) |
Top applicants from the Excellence pool; outstanding GPA, class rank, leadership, service | No extra app (all Excellence applicants considered) | Yes (3.5 GPA, 30 credits/year, service) | Typically ~3.9+ GPA*, top 10% rank, rigorous courses, major leadership/service *estimate |
Jan 31 |
*GPA bands are estimates; UTEP does not publish fixed cutoffs. Awards depend on holistic review of academics, essays, and activities. You can only receive the single highest-value institutional award.
FAQs about Competitive Scholarships
When is the deadline? January 31 of senior year (application opens Oct 1).
How many awards? Excellence Scholarships — several dozen awards; Presidential — about 5 per year.
Do I need test scores? No. SAT/ACT not required for consideration.
Can nonresidents benefit? Yes. Winning $1,000+ triggers the Competitive Scholarship Waiver (in-state tuition for nonresidents).
Are these worth it? Yes. Even lower-range Excellence awards can cover thousands per year and open doors to campus leadership.
utep.edu/excellence/
scholarships.utep.edu/
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catalog.utep.edu/financial-aid-scholarships/
fastweb.com/college-scholarships/university-of-texas-el-paso-academic-scholarship
fastweb.com/college-scholarships/university-of-texas-el-paso-presidential-scholarship
utep.edu/presidential-scholarship/
instagram.com/UTEPFinancialAid/
facebook.com/UTEPFinancialAid/
🎖 Honors College
UTEP’s University Honors Program (UHP) is designed for students who want to challenge themselves with rigorous coursework, close faculty mentorship, and opportunities that go beyond the classroom. Admission is selective, but the program emphasizes access for motivated students who show academic promise, leadership, and a commitment to service. It’s a path for students who want to stand out when applying to graduate schools, professional programs, or competitive jobs.
• High school GPA around 3.5+ (college GPA for continuing students)
• Strong academic rigor in high school or college coursework
• Demonstrated leadership, service, or research interest
• Willingness to engage in small seminars, projects, and mentoring
• Priority course registration
• Dedicated advising and mentorship
• Small, discussion-based classes with faculty
• Eligibility for exclusive Honors scholarships (see table below)
• Honors designation on transcript and diploma
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| College of Health Sciences Honors Scholarship | $1,000/year | Students admitted to the Health Sciences Honors Program | No — automatic with admission | Yes — with good standing | Health Sciences majors who maintain GPA and Honors participation | March 1 |
| Houston Endowment Honors Program (Scholars) | $2,000/year (renewable up to 4 years) | 10 Honors students per year (1 per college, 3 at-large) | Yes — competitive process within UHP | Yes — up to 4 years | High-achieving Honors students with leadership and professional goals | March 1 |
| Houston Endowment Professional & Leadership Development Fund | Varies (covers Edge Experiences) | Honors students needing support for study abroad, internships, research, certifications | Yes — request through UHP or college Honors office | Case-by-case | Honors students pursuing high-impact opportunities beyond the classroom | Varies |
Admission Model: Students are invited to apply after being admitted to UTEP. The UHP application requires transcripts, short essays, and sometimes recommendation letters. Deadlines typically align with the freshman scholarship cycle (fall–spring of senior year).
Renewal: Honors students must maintain strong GPA and active participation to remain in the program. UTEP does not state that Honors adds time to a degree; instead, requirements are designed to integrate with major coursework.
FAQs about Honors at UTEP
Is admission automatic with good grades? No — students must submit a separate Honors application and be selected.
Does joining Honors add extra semesters? No. Honors requirements are meant to be completed within your regular degree timeline.
Are there extra scholarships? Yes. Honors students can access special programs like the College of Health Sciences award, Houston Endowment Scholars, and the Leadership Development Fund.
When should I apply? Students are encouraged to apply soon after receiving an admission offer from UTEP, ideally in the fall or early spring of senior year.
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faculty.utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=71511
⭐ Why UTEP Stands Out
UTEP isn’t your typical public university—it’s an R1 powerhouse deeply rooted in community, innovation, and student success. As one of only 19 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in the United States to earn Carnegie’s “Very High Research” (R1) designation, UTEP combines elite research activity with affordable access. The result? A university where cutting-edge facilities meet unparalleled inclusivity and economic impact for students and their families. Whether it’s advancing aerospace innovation, tackling cybersecurity challenges, or pioneering bilingual education, UTEP is setting national standards while serving its borderland community.
Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing (AM): Anchored by the new $80 million Advanced Manufacturing & Aerospace Center (AMAC), UTEP leads the nation in translating 3D printing expertise and aerospace research into real-world space robotics, exotic-material manufacturing, and industry-ready innovation.
Note: UTEP is classified as a Research 1 (R1) university—placing it among the top 5% nationally in research activity.
- Cybersecurity & Information Assurance: The CS department is among the highest-rated in Texas, ranked 3rd for best online cybersecurity programs statewide and emerging as a national competitor in cyber tournaments.
- Earth & Resource Sciences (Mining Engineering): UTEP is launching the only Mining Engineering BS program in Texas (Fall 2027), with strong geology and sustainability roots that align with regional industry and environmental needs.
- Real Estate Research: UTEP ranks 6th globally in real estate research leadership (REAL Rankings), a rare global recognition for a university of its size.
- Bilingualism & Border Studies: With programs embedded in its strategic core, UTEP excels in bilingual education and cognition research—a living lab where linguistic scholarship meets real-time, community-wide impact.