Doctoral Student Tuition Remission

UTEP invests in your doctoral education by providing tuition remission to eligible students. This benefit covers tuition costs for qualified doctoral students who work as graduate assistants, allowing you to focus on your research and academic progress.

How It Works

You do not need to apply for tuition remission. If you meet the eligibility requirements below, remission is automatically applied to your student account. The remission covers tuition charges not already paid by scholarships, fellowships, or other awards.

Eligibility Requirements

To receive tuition remission, you must meet all of the following requirements:

1. Full-Time Enrollment in a Research Doctoral Program (PhD or EdD)
   • Minimum enrollment: 9 semester credit hours (SCH) of coursework or 3 SCH of dissertation.
   • Enrollment deadline: You must be enrolled by May 31 for the Fall semester or November 21 for the Spring semester.
2. Doctoral Student Employment
   • Must be appointed as a doctoral student employee (graduate assistant) working 20 hours per week.
   • Appointment must cover the full semester:
     • Fall: September 1 – January 15
     • Spring: January 16 – May 31
3. Good Academic Standing

   You must maintain:

   • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
   • Satisfactory progress per your milestone agreement (a plan outlining key program milestones and deadlines).
   • Satisfactory progress toward goals in your Individual Development Plan (IDP) (a document tracking your professional development goals).
4. Current FAFSA (U.S. Citizens and Residents Only)
   • You must have a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file.

Funding Structure

Tuition remission is provided for up to 66 semester credit hours (SCH) total, distributed across your doctoral program based on your year of study:

*Year 5 funding is subject to satisfactory progress and funding availability.

Notes:

• Summer semesters are not eligible for tuition remission.
• Grant-funded tuition remission may allow funding beyond 66 SCH.

Students with Prior Graduate Credit

If you have transferred graduate credits from another institution or earned graduate credits at UTEP before entering your doctoral program, your tuition remission will be prorated (reduced proportionally).

Example: If you transferred 18 SCH, your total available remission would be 48 SCH (66 – 18 = 48 SCH remaining).

Funding Source Requirements

Graduate School Funding

If your position is funded by UTEP (not a grant):

• Your appointment must be submitted before Census Day (approximately the 12th class day; see the academic calendar).
• Your appointment must span the full semester.
• You must follow all graduate employment guidelines and request exceptions through proper channels if needed.
• Tuition remission for entering students: Graduate School remission is available in your first year if you enter in Fall, or if your Fall start was delayed due to external factors (e.g., visa processing).
• Fall entrants: You must notify the Graduate School of your acceptance of the employment offer by April 15.
• Spring entrants: If you begin your program in Spring, tuition remission may be available from grants, departments, or colleges rather than the Graduate School.

Grant-Funded Positions

If your position is funded by a research grant:

• All general eligibility requirements still apply.
• You must be employed as a Research Assistant (RA) on an active grant.
• The grant must have sufficient funds allocated for tuition remission.
• Grants are permitted to provide tuition remission beyond the 66 SCH limit.
• If a grant (or fellowship) provides tuition remission for at least one year (in years 1–3), you may receive additional semester(s) of tuition remission from the Graduate School in year 6.

Coordination with Other Financial Aid

Tuition remission covers only the tuition amount not already paid by:

• Scholarships
• Fellowships
• Other tuition awards or waivers

If you receive multiple forms of aid, they will be coordinated to avoid overpayment.

Important Dates & Deadlines

Tuition Rates

For current institutional tuition rates and fee information, visit the Student Business Services webpage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I receive tuition remission during summer semesters?
No. Tuition remission is only available during Fall and Spring semesters.

Q: What happens if I drop below full-time enrollment status?
You may lose eligibility for tuition remission for that semester. Contact the Graduate School immediately if you need to adjust your enrollment.

Q: Can I receive both a fellowship and tuition remission?
Yes. You can receive both, but tuition remission will only cover the portion of tuition not already paid by your fellowship or other awards.

Q: What if I need to reduce my work hours due to family or medical reasons?
Contact your supervisor and the Graduate School immediately. You may need to request a formal exception to maintain your tuition remission eligibility.

Q: How do I know if my appointment has been submitted correctly?
Check with your department’s graduate coordinator or supervisor. You can also verify your appointment status through the HR system/portal.

Q: What counts as “satisfactory progress”?
Satisfactory progress means meeting the milestones and timelines outlined in your milestone agreement and IDP, maintaining good academic standing, and making consistent advancement toward your degree. Your advisor and program will evaluate your progress regularly.

Q: I entered my program in Spring. Can I still receive tuition remission?
Yes. Spring entrants may receive tuition remission from grants, departments, or colleges. Contact your department about available funding.

Q: What happens if I exceed the 66 SCH limit?
You will be responsible for paying tuition for any credit hours beyond 66 SCH. Plan your coursework carefully with your advisor.

Need Help?

Graduate School Office: gradfund@utep.edu

Additional Resources

• Academic Calendar
• Doctoral Milestone Agreements
• FAFSA Application
• Individual Development Plan (IDP) Template
• Student Employment Guidelines
• Tuition and Mandatory Fees