UT for Me: Empowering Texas Students to Earn Their Degrees

Graduating from college isn’t just a milestone; it’s a game-changer. It boosts earning potential and sends positive ripples through families and communities. For more than 20 years, the Dell Scholars program has proven that when students receive personalized academic and emotional support, along with financial resources, they’re more likely to graduate and succeed.

To amplify this impact, we partnered with the University of Texas at Austin on a $200 million investment, both committing $100 million over 10 years, to extend this level of support to all Pell-eligible students at UT Austin.

Using the Dell Scholars approach, the foundation worked with UT Austin to create the UT for Me program, serving Pell-eligible students who enrolled as first-time freshmen between fall 2020 and fall 2025.

The partnership offers tailored student support, including:

• Textbook credits and tutoring to help students stay on track academically
• A new laptop ensuring students have essential technology for their studies
• Emergency funds for when the unexpected happens
• Graduation planning to help students graduate on time and achieve their goals
• Dedicated advising and mentoring support to help students grow academically and outside the classroom
• Financial aid coaching with dedicated counselors to help students maximize their funds to graduate with the least amount of debt
• Holistic support including counseling services, health coaching, and 24/7 access to mental health care
• Connections to university resources to make the most of what UT Austin has to offer

With thousands of UT for Me graduates to date, the program is driving upward mobility. UT Austin has also built on insights from the program to update policies and expand services for students, while removing barriers that can interrupt progress, such as registration holds tied to small financial balances. Since the program launched, UT Austin has also seen growth in Pell-eligible enrollment, with the highest to date in 2025.

This initiative shows how the right support can help more students enroll, stay on track, and earn a degree.