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Team FTX Team 4 Gina Guajardo, Mariam Ali, Ian Bruce, Mel Stefka, Patrick Villarin

FTX’s goal is to lower tuition rates for schools in Texas by raising funds.

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Table of Contents

Cover Page ______________________________________________________________

Table of Contents____________________________________________________________1

Introduction_________________________________________________________________3

i. University of Houston _______________________________________________3-4

ii. UTSA ____________________________________________________________4-5

iii. San Antonio _______________________________________________________5-6

iv. A&M College Station ________________________________________________6-7

v. Texas Tech ________________________________________________________7-8

Conclusion__________________________________________________________________9

Works Cited_______________________________________________________________10-11

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FTX Introduction

The large amount of tuition for colleges discourages several people from pursuing one’s

dreams by graduating. The immense debt that students deal with after graduating also dejects

ones attempt to enroll in college and pursue a higher degree. That is why Free Texas (FTX)

inspires to lower tuition rates in Texas by fundraising. FTX aspires to organize student events

and make tuition much more affordable in University of Houston, UT Austin, Texas Tech,

A&M, and UTSA.

University of Houston

University of Houston’s average cost of tuition and fees for undergraduates’ students is

10,331. For students living on campus, tuition and fees will be a jaw dropping 24,500

(University). In year 2013, 37,365 students applied, 21,868 were admitted, and 10,173 chose to

enroll (University). The 4 year graduation rate is 18 percent. The average loan amount for all

undergrads is 6,891 per year (University). This means that over 2 years it will be 13,782 and by 4

years the average loan amount will be 27,564 (University). These are scary and hefty numbers.

University of Houston was able to “[raise] a record-setting 117.8 million in the year

2012-2013 (Bonnin 1). Also, UH was able to raise money that “exceeded 110.3 million” (Bonnin

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1). These funds were raised by “more than 26,000 alumni, friends, foundations and corporations

[who] contributed to UH” (Bonnin 1). Donors from Schlumberger, Huffington Foundation,

Ronald and Mariette Woestemeyer all support research for early diagnosis and treatment of

disease. One way to raise money is to catch donor’s attention so students can volunteer with the

donor’s support and advantage. Reaching out to alumni members, friends, and family members

to contribute will also be a benefactor. If this amount of money is raised per year, we can

definitely help a lot of struggling students who feel dejected due to the large sums.

San Antonio

San Antonio has a rich culture and history with many Texans. It is home to the University of

Texas at San Antonio also known as UTSA, founded in 1969. San Antonio has many attractions

for tourists and locals alike, there is Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Sea World, and even the River Walk

and Alamo. These popular attractions spots are a good way to fundraise for students because

there are a lot of fun things to do and many sites to see. Collaborating with these venues can help

students be active about lowering their tuition rates and supporting a good cause for future

students.

The University of Texas at San Antonio reaches a size of 725 acres and a Tier 2 university. It is

ranked 257 in ethnic diversity nationally. 47% of the student population is Hispanic/Latino,

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followed my white, African American, then Asian. When it comes to gender, there is a 47% to

53% of female to male students. There are about 21,200 full-time students and 5,000 part-time

students. UTSA ranks 46 of 61 in overall top quality university.

The in-state tuition and fees are $9,361 and total estimated cost of attendance is $17,201. About

55.0% incoming UTSA students take out a loan averaging about $6,000. After four years at

UTSA, the expected loan amount is $23,532. This amount is about the average amount of loan

debt for a Texas university student.

Austin

Austin is a town with a rich culture and social life, The College University of Texas is a

tier 1 university. Exceeding for its educational system, it can help reduce the amount of tuition

put on the student in order to lessen the payload per student; Thus, reducing the amount of debt

in the Austin area Since 2000. In recent years the population of Austin has increased with a

remarkable rate (austin.gov). With this accumulation, the potential to generate income and

charity its stretched through a variety of means.

Austin is now a multicultural city accompanied by historical background. The growth of

non-Anglo-Saxon has balanced out the city in terms of multiculturalism sensitivities. With this

introduction of cultures, a substantial quantity of events have been introduced. The dispensation

of families with children can make an opportunity for carnivals and festivals to raise money,

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music is an important way of life in Austin, so centering a fundraiser off of enormous music

events and requesting for donations would be an excellent way to improve the financial stability

of the students at University of Texas.

The student debt in Austin averages out to about $6,000 to 43% of the students

(collegefactual.com). The default rate of the loans (9.1) are generally increasing due to the

college helping out students financially to attend. The student debt for University of Texas is in

class by itself when it is compared to the national average. It is possible to slowly eliminate the

tuition costs of this college. By reducing the cost of college, there is less debt for students exiting

college.

College Station

College Station is primarily a college town that is rich with tradition. College Station,

Texas, is home to 93,857 Texans as well as the popular Texas A&M University. Texas A&M,

also known as TAMU, opened its doors in 1876 as the state’s first public institution of higher

learning. There are many attractions that can be used to help lower tuition rates for prospective

and current students, such as the multiple museums and galleries in the Bryan-College Station

area. The area also hosts multiple country artists that perform at the local dance halls, as well as

the prestigious Messina Hof Winery.

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TAMU’s main campus is home to over 59,000 students, with more than 436,000 former

students worldwide. Texas A&M is ranked #659 in ethnic diversity worldwide, which is above

average. 69.2% of the undergraduate student body is white, followed by Hispanic/Latino, Asian

and African American. The gender ratio is almost a perfect split, with 51% male and 49%

female. Texas A&M ranks as #70 out of over 200 nationwide universities.

The in-state tuition and fees are an average of $9,180 and out-of-state is $26,356. The

total average cost of attendance for one year at Texas A&M has been calculated at approximately

$22,470. About 62% of undergraduates on average apply to receive financial aid, of that 62%,

41.6% of applicants had their financial needs fully met. The average indebtedness of 2014

graduates totaled up to $23,703, which is around the average amount of loan debt for a Texas

university student after four consecutive years.

Texas Tech University was created by legislative action in 1923. Texas Tech has the

distinction of being the largest comprehensive higher education institution in the western two-

thirds of the state of Texas. It is a major institution of higher education in the region larger than

46 of the nation’s 50 states. Texas Tech is also the only campus that is home to a major

university, law school and medical school in Texas. (A History of Texas Tech)

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Tuition for Texas Tech students that live in Texas is $17,939 annually and $26,627 for

out of state students. This totals to (in state) $22,258 and (out of state) $33,037 for a 4-year full

time student. With this being said and tuition only rising in statistics taken from 1987-2010 there

is a need for more financial aid in order to help our youth. (CollegeSimply)

At Texas Tech located in Lubbock, TX it is apparent that it is a college town, but with

such a strong foundation you would assume that the surrounding area would want to help the

college succeed but this is not the case. In Lubbock, small town living is their way of life with

their focus around agriculture, football and activity’s ranging from a very active nightlife, drive

in movies to bingo at the local steak house. (Grigson, Natalie) Lubbock living is very much

community based which will help our cause and allow for much needed funds. By having

sponsored bingo night, events at nightclubs, livestock computations; possibly implementing a

rodeo event like Houston, TX does which reaches raises around $252,168,838. (RODEOHOUSTON)

There is a lot of funds to be had, if only the university and students would take the initiative to

organize events.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, by listing what the outrageous cost it takes to go to the University of

Houston, University of Texas San Antonio, University of Texas, Texas A&M University and

Texas Tech University we hope that it becomes apparent that something needs to be done to

lower these tuitions. We feel that if these colleges use their perspective communities effectively

there is a lot of financial assistance that can be gathered for hopeful college students. To

reiterate, they could collaborate with Venuses in the area like Sea World, Six Flags Fiesta Texas,

Riverwalk for University of Texas San Antonio; or with museums, galleries and wineries for

Texas A&M University. Secondly, they could sponsor events that locals would find interesting

and want to attend like carnivals and festivals for the University of Texas; also with bingo or

having a rodeo for Texas Tech. Thirdly, there is a more simple solution which is reaching out to

alumni, friends, foundations and corporations getting them more involved which is what the

University of Houston has done. These steps would surly help these colleges succeed in bringing

more bright minds to their colleges. That being said, without making a change, society is missing

out on many individuals that can help make our world a better place. The chance to get an

advanced education and make a difference should not be completely dependent on financial

security. Again, that is why Free Texas (FTX) inspires to lower tuition rates in Texas by

fundraising. FTX hopes that this would inspire college students, teachers and people in the

surrounding areas to stand up and organize an event or start advocating on behalf of their

university. Together we can make tuition much more affordable to help our youth and future get

the knowledge they need to make a positive change in this world with adequate education.

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Works Cited

"A History of Texas Tech." A History of Texas Tech. Ed. Texas Tech University. Texas Tech

University, 18 Aug. 2015. Web. 09 Nov.

2015.http://www.movoto.com/blog/opinions/move-to-lubbock-tx/

Bonnin, Richard. "University of Houston." UH, UH System Reach New Fundraising Milestones -

. University of Houston, 1 Oct. 2013. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.

"CollegeSimply." Texas Tech University. Ed. Wintergreen Orchard House.

Https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=229115, 1 Aug. 2014. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.

"Demographics." Demographics. University of Texas - Austin, 2013. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.

"Financial Aid & Scholarships." Cost of Attending UTSA. UTSA, 2015. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.

"Funding." Texas Tech University. Ed. Texas Tech University. Texas Tech University, 22 Sept.

2015. Web. 9 Nov. 2015.

Grigson, Natalie. "Lubbock, TX - 29 Things to Do Here Before You Move In - Movoto."

Movoto Blog 29 Things You Need to Know About Lubbock TX Before You Move There

Comments. Movoto Blog, 30 Sept. 2013. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.

"Locked-Rate Tuition Policy." Office of Admissions. TAMU, 20 Jan. 2015. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.

"National Universities Rankings." National University. Texas A&M University, 15 Jan. 2015.

Web. 25 Oct. 2015.

"RODEOHOUSTON." Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Ed. MMI Agency. MMI Agency

Copyright 2015 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.

Selby, Gardner W. "Average Student Loan Debt in Texas Close to Price of a Pickup Truck,

Though Privately Taken Student Loans Can Be Refinanced." Politifact. N.p., 4 June

2014. Web. 21 Oct. 2015

"Texas A&M University Tuition, Costs and Financial Aid." COLLEGEdata. Texas A&M

University, 5 June 2014. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.

"The University of Texas at Austin Overview." College Factual. University of Texas - Austin,

20 Feb. 2013. Web. 09 Nov. 2015.

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"The University of Texas at San Antonio Rankings." College Factual. N.p., 20 Feb. 2013. Web.

21 Oct. 2015.

"University of Houston Loan Debt." College Factual. N.p., 20 Feb. 2013. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.

"University of Houston." Student Demographics by University -. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.

University, Texas A&M. "About." Texas A&M University. TAMU, 02 Jan. 2015. Web. 27 Oct.

2015.

University, Texas A&M. "Attractions…." College Station Attractions. TAMU, 08 Jan. 2015.

Web. 27 Oct. 2015.

University, Texas A&M. "Texas A&M University - College Station Diversity." College Factual.

Texas A&M University, 20 Feb. 2013. Web. 26 Oct. 2015.

"UTSA." University of Texas--San Antonio. N.p., 7 Mar. 2014. Web. 21 Oct. 2015.

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