The University Co-operative Society has made a significant investment to support thousands of students at The University of Texas at Austin with access to affordable course materials and learning resources, as well as scholarship support for high-achieving Texas students with financial need.
“This landmark gift is an amazing example of Longhorns helping Longhorns,” said UT President Jay Hartzell. “With the vision and dedication of its executive leadership and board, The University Co-op has helped transform and educate hundreds of thousands of students for more than 100 years. We are deeply grateful for their continued investments and partnership, as we work together to provide even more students with access to our world-class university.”
During the next eight years, The Co-op investment will total $10 million and affect more than 1,500 students a year with $500 course-material scholarships. Additionally, the gift will increase the UT Co-op Undergraduate Scholarship Endowment to $4 million.
“The course-materials scholarship is undoubtedly one of the most helpful ways UT can support me and my family,” said Kate Burke, a first-year student and 2022 scholarship recipient. “Thank you to The UT Co-op for this opportunity.”
The Co-op was established in 1896 — first as a co-operative and later transitioning to a nonprofit — to serve and meet the needs of UT students. The Co-op continues to strengthen the Longhorn experience by focusing on students’ academic achievements.
“We’re excited to support Longhorn students with scholarships to help cover the cost of course materials and set them up for success,” said Co-op President and CEO Cheryl Phifer. “The Co-op was founded to provide UT students with course materials, so this was a natural way we could continue to grow our positive impact on them.”
The UT Co-op Undergraduate Scholarship, established in 2019, is part of the Texas Challenge, a dollar-for-dollar scholarship gift-matching program that encourages giving by doubling the financial impact to UT students.
Made possible by the UT System Board of Regents, the Texas Challenge gift-matching program expands the Texas Advance Commitment, UT’s investment in financial aid for high-achieving students from low- and middle-income households.
This new investment from The Co-op supports UT’s What Starts Here fundraising campaign — the largest campaign in Texas higher education history. The university publicly launched the campaign in March with a goal to raise $6 billion, with $1 billion earmarked for scholarships and student support programs.
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