Tuition for undergraduate students to confirm their attendance is due on Aug. 14.
AUSTIN, Texas — Students at the University of Texas at Austin are hitting a critical deadline as the new semester is set to begin at the end of the month.
Tuition for undergraduate students to confirm their attendance is due on Aug. 14. However, for students who are undocumented, the bill will be priced higher due to the end of the state’s DREAM Act.
Eligible students were allowed to pay in-state tuition under the legislation, but the Department of Justice challenged the constitutionally of it and filed a lawsuit earlier this year.
Currently, the minimum tuition for in-state residents is $1,500, while the price sits at $5,000 for out-of-state residents.
Mariel, who prefers not to share her last name, spoke with KVUE in July about how she may no longer qualify for in-state tuition at UT because of her status. Students were given a deadline to submit documentation to prove their legal status.
On Thursday, Mariel confirmed for the upcoming fall semester she would have to pay roughly $23,000 to complete her education.
“It’s definitely like a rollercoaster because I’ve been talking to my parents about it and I guess I didn’t really know how much money it was going to be,” said Mariel. “I really want to go back; I really just want to finish my bachelor’s at least.”
Mariel said she’s been seeking financial options through organizations that have been offering financial assistance. Unfortunately, one she applied for was denied.
She’s currently awaiting approval from the Rooted Collective, another organization that has started its own GoFundMe to offer financial support to UT students.
Victoria – who also didn’t want to reveal her last name – is with the initiative. She said their primary focus is getting incoming seniors financial help, but the ultimate goal is to help as many students as possible.
“We’ve kind of just been scrambling,” said Victoria. “We know we won’t be able to cover full tuition, but at least enrolling our students, especially our seniors who are graduating.”
Mariel hopes she’s able to get some help, because if she doesn’t, she fears she won’t be able to earn her bachelor’s degree on time.
“If it’s not possible, it’s not possible, and I have to do something else,” said Mariel. “I have to figure it out.”
Anyone interested in helping by donating to Rooted Collective’s GoFundMe can do so at this link.