The dream of attending college without crushing debt is becoming a reality for thousands of Texas families.
The University of Texas System Board of Regents announced that beginning in fall 2025, students from families earning less than $100,000 annually will receive free tuition and waived fees at all UT academic universities.
The initiative expands the existing Promise Plus Program, which aims to make higher education more accessible for low—and middle-income students across the state. With more than 7 million Texas families expected to meet the income eligibility requirement, the program has the potential to transform college affordability.
“What is particularly gratifying to me, and to UT presidents, is that the Regents are not only addressing immediate needs of our current students, but they are taking the long view, ensuring that future generations will continue to benefit from this remarkable program,” UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken said in a statement. “Across UT institutions, enrollment is growing, and student debt is declining, indicating success in both access and affordability. That’s a rare trend in American higher education, and I’m proud the UT System is in a position to be a leader.”
Academic experts are examining other programs to counter the restriction on DEI programs, such as Texas Senate Bill 17, which forbids diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives at public universities.
A UT System representative told the Defender that the initiative isn’t a DEI program but a way to lessen the need for Texas students to rely on student loans to access a higher education degree.
Donna M. Davis, J.D, senior director for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Benny Agosto, Jr. Diversity Center at South Texas College of Law Houston, acknowledges that the tuition-free program will help many historically disadvantaged students but warns that financial aid alone does not replace the critical support systems that were dismantled alongside DEI programs.
“The Promise programs definitely benefit students of color and those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds,” Davis said. “But dismantling DEI offices means students no longer have a point person to discuss difficult experiences or seek guidance beyond financial aid.”
She further explains that DEI programs have always addressed a broader range of student needs beyond financial constraints.
“Diversity includes more than just race,” she said. “It encompasses disability, veteran status, national origin and socioeconomic background. Without dedicated support offices, these students lose vital resources that help them navigate their college journey.”
Davis highlights the impact of the mandated removal of DEI offices at public universities.
“By dismantling DEI offices, we also lose scholarships, affinity groups, and the mentorship networks that made higher education more accessible,” Davis said. “This presents real challenges for students who need a sense of community and belonging.”
One way universities can mitigate this loss, Davis suggests, is through mentorship programs.
“A well-structured mentorship program can help replace some of what has been lost,” she said. “Ensuring that students are strategically paired with mentors who understand their unique challenges can make a significant difference.”
Dr. Joel A Davis Brown, an attorney and educational leadership expert, suggests that implementing inclusive economic policies, like tuition-free programs, can be an alternative to traditional DEI efforts. By reducing financial barriers, these programs can increase access for underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students, potentially leading to more diverse student bodies.
“However, it’s essential to recognize that while financial accessibility is crucial, it doesn’t fully address the broader goals of DEI, which also encompass creating supportive environments and addressing systemic inequalities,” Brown said.
Brown argues that while DEI programs have been politically attacked, their fundamental goal has always been about broadening access and ensuring that students of all backgrounds are given equal opportunities to succeed. Without intentional measures to support first-generation and marginalized students, tuition-free programs risk being a half-measure.
“Tuition-free programs can open the door, but what happens once Black and Brown students step inside?” Brown asks. “Higher education has to be more than just getting in the door—it’s about retention, inclusion, and support.”
Brown recalls his time in law school when economic assistance programs were extended to students of color and white students from underprivileged backgrounds. He notes that while financial support helped many students afford tuition, other critical factors—such as career guidance, academic mentorship and mental health support—were still missing.
“If you don’t create an environment where students feel like they belong and can thrive, then financial aid just becomes a band-aid,” Brown explains. “The challenge isn’t just affordability, it’s making sure students have the networks and resources to complete their education and succeed in their careers.”
Promise Program nationwide
The 2020 American Education Research Association (AERA) study found that 33 Promise programs offer tuition benefits to local 2-year colleges and saw the highest enrollment increases among Black and other minority groups. Black men’s enrollment increased by 47% and Black women’s by 51%, while Hispanic males and females’ enrollments soared by 40% and 52%, respectively.
“The universal ‘free college’ and ‘college for all’ messages that generally accompany promise programs can be especially impactful for racial minority students, who are often subject to lower educational expectations from teachers and counselors and who are more likely to perceive college as unaffordable,” said AERA research co-conductor Denisa Gándara. “Our overall findings also offer encouraging evidence that promise programs can help more historically underserved students enroll in college.”
According to recent reports from College Promise, there are currently over 425 “Promise” programs nationwide, meaning there are at least 425 successful programs across all 50 states, with 10 in Texas alone.
California’s Promise program offers up to two years of free community college for first-time students, regardless of income. Similarly, Tennessee’s Promise program allows high school graduates to attend community or technical college tuition-free. These programs have increased enrollment and made higher education more accessible to a broader range of students.
However, the authors of a study in the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education that focused on the Kalamazoo, MI Promise Program found that KPromise significantly improved enrollment, performance and persistence among students from all backgrounds, but it did not eliminate temporary withdrawal differences, with Black students being more likely to drop out.
A suggestion for interventions before and during college to bridge the gap between students, highlighting the need for academic support, tutoring and AP classes for students not yet in college and for college students was one solution.
“Cumulative race and class advantages prior to college don’t go away,” said Dr. W. Carson Byrd, co-author of the study. “Even when you have access equalized, there are still so many other advantages in the schooling process that can build up and propel white students further than Black and Latino students.”
What Needs to Happen Next?
Brown suggests that institutions committed to student success should focus on:
- Stronger mentorship programs to guide first-generation students through college life and career planning.
- Cultural competency training for faculty and staff to reduce bias and microaggressions.
- Expanded mental health resources to address the unique challenges faced by marginalized students.
- Workforce preparation initiatives to ensure students are not only graduating but securing competitive jobs in their fields.
