The University Leadership Network (ULN), at The University of Texas at Austin, is a nationally recognized program that helps students develop into leaders, succeed academically at UT Austin, and graduate in four years. The ULN has been featured on both PBS NewsHour and New York Times Magazine for its innovative approach.
ULN is an incentive-based scholarship program designed to remove financial barriers for students from under-resourced backgrounds. Many ULN students are the first in their family to attend college. Despite facing multiple challenges, ULN students have earned the grades and reflected the ambition to become Longhorns.
- Created in 2013 to improve 4-year graduation rates
- Students enrolled in every college and school
- 500 incoming freshmen selected each year
- 2,000 total students
- Comprehensive support provided by academic learning communities
- 750 on-campus ULN internships in 260 UT offices provide professional development experiences
ULN students follow a comprehensive four-year plan that includes leadership training and certification, internships and experiential learning, community and university service, and participation in innovative academic success programs that include strategic advising for timely graduation and personalized interventions for struggling students.
A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY - DEMOGRAPHICS FOR ULN CLASSES OF 2017 - 2020
- 69.1% Underrepresented groups
- 70.0% First-generation college students
- 78.1% combined household income <$60,000
PROVIDES INCENTIVE SCHOLARSHIPS
ULN students earn $5,000 annually (up to $20,000 over 4 years) in scholarships when they meet program milestones, which include completing 30 hours of coursework each year (25% of the hours needed to earn a degree in four years).
WHY ULN STUDENTS NEED YOUR INVOLVEMENT
These scholarships are critical to help students attend UT Austin and graduate in four years. While these students also qualify for Federal Pell Grants and Texas Grants to cover tuition and fees, it is usually not enough to cover all their living expenses. On average, these students have $8,000 remaining in unmet need. Many of these students will take out loans, work off campus, or make lifestyle adjustments to cover the total cost of attendance. These scholarships provide students with critical funding so they do not need to work off-campus during the school year. This enables our students to succeed academically and fully experience the best of being a Longhorn – with less stress and worry.
