University of North Texas Case Study

Institutional Profile & Vision

The University of North Texas (UNT), located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, is home to more than 38,000 students and offers 230 degree programs. UNT is one of the nation’s largest universities, one of the Top 5 Texas universities, and generates an economic impact of $1.65 billion annually.

As the most-comprehensive public research university providing a top-quality education in one of the nation's largest, most-dynamic regions, UNT will be celebrated for its academics, arts, and athletics. UNT will be a diverse and inclusive institution, creating knowledge and innovations that will shape the future while cultivating excellence in the next generation of scholars and leaders for the global community.

Serving Undocumented Students is a Top Priority

One of President Smatresk’s four targeted action plans, outlined in the 2017 State of the University, is improving student access to education. This effort extends to undocumented students who struggle to overcome tremendous barriers attaining a higher education.

These students aspire to a better life and are doing what our society asks of them — they work hard, study hard and play by the rules. We need to encourage them to stay focused, hopeful and invested in their education. [1]- President Neal J. Smatresk

UNT’s Financial Aid team identified access to financial aid as a major barrier to higher education for undocumented students and sought innovative ways to simplify the process.

Addressing the Financial Aid Access Barrier

“Our goal is to create a financial aid application process for undocumented students that is equivalent to that of the FASFA experience and Regent Access has gotten us extremely close,” explains Thompson. “Regent Access was very easy to implement, the Regent implementation team was great to work with, and the students have been pleased with automation of the TASFA.”

Significantly Increased Aid Awarded

With the e-TASFA, student applicants have an experience similar to the FAFSA, from the intuitive interview format, personalized skip logic, and integrated help to the electronic signatures.

For UNT financial aid staff, the e-TASFA eliminates manual submission receipt, processing, and tracking. Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculations also are automated in accordance with federal methodology. Finally, the e-TASFA performs data validation to ensure fully-completed applications, thereby increasing departmental efficiency and dramatically decreasing the time required to process applications.

UNT also is materially increasing aid to undocumented students. They deployed the          e-TASFA in January 2017. As of March of the 2020-2021 aid year, along with their natural student growth, UNT is already seeing 3x the number of e-TASFA applications that they did that first year – a figure they anticipate will continue to grow.

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