Are UTSA scholarships generous for out-of-state students?

I'm an out-of-state junior looking into the University of Texas at San Antonio, and financial aid is a big factor for me. How generous are the scholarships and financial aid packages at UTSA, especially for those who aren't Texas residents? Are there particular scholarships I should be aiming for, or is it mostly need-based aid?

In general, the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has a wide variety of scholarships available for both in-state and out-of-state students, many of which are based on merit. For out-of-state students specifically, one key scholarship to consider is the Distinguished Presidential Scholarship. This is a competitive scholarship for high-achieving students, and although it's open to both Texas residents and non-residents, it can significantly reduce the cost of out-of-state tuition.

The financial aid packages at UTSA are a combination of need-based and merit-based aid. Need-based aid is largely determined by the info you provide on your FAFSA—so make sure to submit that as early as possible. UTSA starts awarding financial aid in March each year for the following fall semester.

In terms of merit-based aid, UTSA does offer a number of scholarships that you could be eligible for. Besides academic merit, things like leadership experience and community service can also come into play, so I encourage you to apply if you have a strong profile in any of these areas. Note that the priority deadline for most UTSA scholarships is usually around December 1 for the following school year, so plan accordingly.

Bottom-line, UTSA does offer a range of scholarships and financial aid packages for out-of-state students—and the earlier you apply, the better. Just keep in mind that these are competitive, so continue to work on strengthening your academic profile as well as any extracurricular activities or community service that you're involved in. Good luck!