The University of North Texas will offer free tuition to families who meet certain criteria starting in the 2026-27 school year.

The breakdown

The new initiative, called the North Texas Promise Program, will give first-time college freshmen living in Texas the opportunity to earn an undergraduate degree without paying tuition or the mandatory fees, UNT announced in a Jan. 14 news release.

The program covers up to four years of schooling, or eight consecutive semesters. The fees will be compensated by a combination of federal, state and institutional grants, according to UNT’s website.

Students must meet the following criteria to be considered for the program:

• Must be a Texas resident
• Must come from families making less than $100,000 total annually
• Must be within the top 25% of their graduating class or be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant
• Must be admitted to UNT for the fall 2026 semester by Feb. 15
• Must have an accurate Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, on file by Feb. 15

Students are encouraged to apply to UNT and submit their FAFSA by the end of January to allow ample time for applications to be processed before the Feb. 15 deadline.

Students who meet the criteria will automatically be considered for the program and do not need to submit a separate application, according to the news release.

What they're saying

“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,” UNT President Harrison Keller said. “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.”