UTHealth Houston To Offer Tuition-Free Program For Aspiring Nurses

By Sorraya Gonzales

The Future Nurses Fund tackles the ongoing nursing shortage by offering financial aid toward higher education.

Announced Monday by UTHealth Houston, the Future Nurses Fund will offer free in-state tuition for eligible students enrolled in its accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the Cizik School of Nursing.

The program will begin in Spring 2026, and it aims to provide financial aid to nurses pursuing their higher education. The fund will cover all tuition and mandatory fees for Texans accepted into the Pacesetter BSN program who have an annual adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less.

"Future Nurses Fund will help address the nursing shortage by providing needed financial assistance so students can attend Cizik School of Nursing, the No. 1 BSN program in the state," said Dean of the Nursing School, Diane Santa Maria, DrPH, MSN, RN.

With no separate application required, the grant will be awarded to both current and full-time students who meet the income and academic qualifications. The grant will cover four consecutive semesters of education and will work alongside existing scholarships and state or federal aid.

The goal of the fund is to help remove any obstacles to students pursuing a career in nursing. According to Santa Maria, at least one-third of the school’s undergraduate students are expected to benefit from the new funding initiative, which she said would “open doors to higher education for many future nurses.”

"By providing full tuition support to qualifying students, we are empowering the next generation of compassionate, highly skilled nurses who will strengthen health care across our communities," said interim president of UTHealth Houston and Alkek-Williams Distinguished Chair, LaTanya J. Love, MD.

To qualify for the Future Nurses Fund, a new student must:

- Be a Texas Resident

- Not have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in any field.

- Add the UTHealth Houston code (013956) to their completed FAFSA form.

- Have an annual adjusted gross income not exceeding $100,000.

- Enroll full-time in Cizik School of Nursing’s Pacesetter accelerated BSN program

Current students receiving grants must:

- Maintain Texas residency and a GPA OF 2.5

- Remain full-time and on track in the Pacesetter BSN program

- Remain in good academic standing.

The Cizik School of Nursing BSN program is ranked No.1 in Texas and top 4% nationally according to U.S News & World Report. The Pacesetter BSN 15-month program accepts new students each spring, fall, and summer semester.

Application for the Spring 2026 semester will remain open until Sept. 15, 2025.