Posted on November 4, 2026 by PREP Leadership Team

Dear PREP Families,

For more than 40 years, the Dr. Manuel P. Berriozábal Prefreshman Program (PREP) has opened doors for students across Texas by providing meaningful opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. At UT San Antonio, PREP has served generations of students, helping them build confidence, develop problem-solving skills, and see themselves pursuing futures in STEM. More than 50,000 students have participated in PREP across Texas, and we are proud of the lasting impact this program has had on students and families.

One of our longstanding priorities has been to keep PREP affordable and accessible to families. We have worked diligently over the years to control costs and maintain a tuition rate that would allow as many students as possible to participate, with support from generous gifts and school district scholarships at different levels.

In recent years, however, charitable gifts have declined, and some of our school district partners have less capacity to provide the financial support and scholarships that have helped keep PREP tuition rates low. As a result, beginning in 2027, PREP tuition will be $1,500 per student. This change will help us continue providing the high-quality STEM experiences that families have come to expect from PREP.

We recognize that $1,500 is a significant commitment for many families, and we do not take this change lightly. We understand that every family’s circumstances are different, and we remain committed to helping make PREP accessible whenever possible.

We are especially committed to ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent students from participating in PREP. who have been enrolled in PREP and want them to have the opportunity to complete what they started. Our PREP team will work with families who need financial assistance to identify available scholarship and support options whenever possible.

Needs-based scholarships will be available for eligible students, with priority given to students and families demonstrating the greatest financial need. Because scholarship funds are limited, awards will be based on demonstrated financial need and available funding and cannot be guaranteed.

We remain deeply committed to keeping PREP accessible to students and families. We will continue working very hard to build a strong scholarship fund so that students who need financial support have opportunities to participate in PREP.

We are grateful for the trust you place in PREP and for allowing us to be part of your student’s educational journey. We appreciate you, and we thank you for your continued trust and support as we work to ensure that the Dr. Manuel P. Berriozábal Prefreshman Engineering Program remains strong and continues opening doors for students for years to come.

 

Sincerely,
Araceli Martinez Ortiz, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Dr. Manuel P. Berriozábal Prefreshman Engineering Program

Ydania M. Medina, DHSc.
Director
Dr. Manuel P. Berriozábal Prefreshman Engineering Program  

— PREP Leadership Team