As Texas A&M University-San Antonio’s enrollment reached 7,697 students in Fall 2026, including a record 1,322 first-time-in-college students, the University is working to ensure the cost of higher education does not stand in the way of opportunity.
That commitment is reflected in Jaguar Promise, a scholarship program designed to make college more affordable for eligible Texas residents, including transfer students and adult learners. With 60% of A&M-San Antonio students eligible for federal Pell Grants, the program helps students pursue their degrees with less financial burden.
As a last-dollar scholarship, Jaguar Promise, which launched in 2024, covers remaining tuition and mandatory fees after eligible federal, state and institutional financial aid is applied. Participants also receive a $300-per-semester book stipend.
Participation continues to grow. The number of first-year students receiving Jaguar Promise funding increased 21% over the previous year. Among first-year participants, enrollment grew 48% among Early College High School graduates and 9% among students who graduated in the top 10% to 35% of their high school class.
“Jaguar Promise has made a meaningful difference in my college experience,” said Student Body President Caroleena Mancilla. “Knowing that my tuition and fees are covered has allowed me to focus more on my education, leadership opportunities and personal growth instead of constantly worrying about how I will pay for college. That support has opened the door to experiences that are helping me grow both personally and professionally.”
Beyond helping students afford college, Jaguar Promise supports the University’s broader efforts to promote student persistence and degree completion. Program requirements include maintaining a minimum 12-credit-hour course load each semester and meeting established GPA and academic progress standards.
The University is also working with Alamo Colleges District through its Promise-to-Promise partnership, which helps eligible students transition from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree while pursuing a more affordable, debt-free path to graduation.
“Affordability can make the difference between whether students simply aspire to attend college and whether they can turn that aspiration into a degree,” said Brandy McLelland, vice president for enrollment management. “The growing participation in Jaguar Promise reflects the importance of providing students and families with a clear, affordable path to higher education. By reducing financial barriers and supporting students as they progress toward graduation, we are advancing our commitment to access and student success.”
That commitment extends to the University’s expanding academic offerings, which are designed to connect students with emerging career opportunities across San Antonio and South Texas. In Fall 2026, A&M-San Antonio launched its first doctoral program, the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. The University will also introduce a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences in Fall 2027, with programs in electrical engineering, healthcare administration and management, computer engineering, and construction engineering technology planned for subsequent years.
For President Salvador Hector Ochoa, the University’s growth reflects a broader commitment to expanding opportunity while responding to the needs of the region.
“As A&M-San Antonio grows, our responsibility remains the same: to open doors to higher education and help more students achieve their goals,” Ochoa said. “We are expanding academic opportunities and strengthening our research enterprise while keeping affordability and student success at the center of our mission. Our true measure of success is when we create lasting opportunities for the students, families and communities we serve.”