Tuition-Free Colleges in San Antonio 2025

If you're getting ready to go to college and you live in San Antonio, you may be wondering about your local options. College can be expensive, but you've heard it's possible to get your degree without breaking the bank with financial aid options. So, are there any tuition-free schools in San Antonio?

Some schools in San Antonio offer free tuition programs for eligible students. The University of Texas at San Antonio offers the Bold Promise, while the Alamo Colleges District offers AlamoPROMISE. Texas A&M University-San Antonio and the University of the Incarnate Word also have programs in place. Tuition-free online colleges in Texas are also available for students who wish to make higher education more affordable.

Keep reading for more information about free and low-cost options in San Antonio and other tips on financing your education.

Top 4 Tuition-Free Colleges Near San Antonio

Attending college in San Antonio doesn't have to be expensive. Let's take a closer look at each of the schools in the city that offer free tuition programs.

University of Texas at San Antonio

The University of Texas at San Antonio, also known as UTSA, is a member of the University of Texas System. This large public school was founded in 1969 and has an enrollment of nearly 35,000 students.

The school's Bold Promise Program covers tuition and fees for up to four years for qualifying students. To qualify, students must come from a family with an income of less than $70,000. They must be recent high school graduates, commit to enrolling full-time, and rank in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class.

Alamo Colleges District

The Alamo Colleges District consists of five community colleges in San Antonio and the nearby Universal City. The district enrolls nearly 64,000 students across these five schools, which are as follows:

• San Antonio College
• St. Philips College
• Palo Alto College
• Northwest Vista College
• Northeast Lakeview College

The AlamoPROMISE Program provides free tuition for incoming first-time college students at each of their community colleges. This is a last-dollar program ensuring all students from participating high schools receive funding to cover their tuition and fees. High school seniors are encouraged to apply early to the program since it becomes a space-only basis if they miss the priority deadline.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Texas A&M University-San Antonio belongs to the Texas A&M University System. It is a relatively new university established in 2009. It currently enrolls around 7,300 students.

This school offers the Jaguar Promise Program, which covers tuition and fees. This program provides a book stipend each semester for recent high school graduates and transfer students.

To qualify, incoming freshmen must have graduated in the top 10% of their class from an Early College high school. Transfer students must have at least 60 credit hours (or an associate degree) and a family income of less than $70,000 a year. They must have graduated in the top 35% of their high school class.

University of the Incarnate Word

The University of the Incarnate Word is a private school affiliated with the Catholic Church. Established in 1881, it currently enrolls more than 9,100 students.

While the school doesn't offer a promise program, it does ensure that military veterans eligible for the Yellow Ribbon Program can attend the school tuition-free. Post-9/11 veterans and their spouses and children, active-duty service members, and Fry Scholarship recipients may all be eligible for this program.

How To Access Free College in San Antonio

Are you still wondering how to take advantage of the free college programs at the schools discussed above? Perhaps you don't qualify for these programs, and you're looking for other ways to reduce the cost of your associate or bachelor's degree. Keep reading for some tips on how to afford your college education.

Attend a Community College

Attending one of the five schools in the Alamo Colleges District may enable you to benefit from the AlamoPROMISE Program, as discussed above. But even if you don't meet the eligibility requirements of this program, pursuing higher education at a community college has advantages.

Community colleges are generally much more affordable than four-year schools. By completing an associate degree, you can pursue many careers without spending much money. Typically, you can apply those first two years toward a bachelor's degree by transferring the credits earned at the community college to the university, which can help to save quite a bit of money.

Apply for Financial Aid

Students in Texas are encouraged to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). These forms make it possible for you to receive federal or state aid in the form of grants, loans, work-study programs, and more.

Filling out the FAFSA or TASFA is necessary to determine if whether you're eligible for the free tuition programs at these schools. It may also be required for scholarship programs and other financial aid awards, especially those available through your school.

Grants and Scholarship Programs

If the federal aid you receive doesn't cover all of your expected costs, consider applying for private grants or scholarships. These are often available through businesses or nonprofit organizations.

For example, the San Antonio Area Foundation provides various scholarships, along with resources for finding other local and national scholarships you may qualify for. You can apply for scholarships directly through their website and find links to other outside scholarships.

FAQs About Tuition-Free Degree Programs in San Antonio

If you still have questions about tuition-free college in San Antonio, read on. In this section, we'll discuss some frequently asked questions you may have.

Can Texas Residents Go to College for Free?

Yes, some Texas residents can attend college for free. Though no statewide promise programs are available, many individual schools provide these programs for college students who demonstrate financial need and meet other criteria.

These programs typically only cover the cost of tuition, fees, and sometimes books, but it may be possible to obtain other forms of financial aid to help you fully cover your educational expenses.

Are There Any Free Community Colleges in San Antonio?

All the colleges in the Alamo Colleges District provide free tuition to eligible AlamoPROMISE Scholars. Though this program covers the cost of tuition and mandatory fees, students will need to find other forms of financial aid to cover other college expenses, such as book costs and transportation.

How Do I Apply for Tuition-Free College Programs in San Antonio?

Each school has its own application for its tuition-free program, so you must apply separately through each of their websites. It's also important to fill out the FAFSA or TASFA application. You can locate each form by performing a quick internet search.