UTRGV will invest $1.5 million to double the amount of merit-based scholarships available in Fall 2021. The additional funding comes in effort to retain top high school students from the region.

The UTRGV Scholars Program currently awards 200 merit-based scholarships. Starting next fall, the program will double to have 400 merit-based scholarships available. Overall, over the course of the four-year scholarship program, UTRGV will invest a total of $8 million dollars.

UTRGV President Guy Bailey revealed the expansion at his Border Texan of the Year check presentation at McAllen City Hall. Bailey was the 2019 Border Texan of the Year and was given a $30,000 check from the funds raised at his award dinner last year.

Bailey said he personally will match the final amount raised, as will the UTRGV Foundation, bringing the final total to $90,000. All of the $90,000, he said, will go toward expanding the UTRGV Scholars Program.

“One of our core priorities is to expand educational opportunities for the entire Rio Grande Valley, and this expansion will allow us to serve more top high school students from the region,” Bailey said. “I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the Border Texan of the Year funds. Your contributions will serve as the cornerstone of an initiative that will benefit the Valley for years to come.”