What a deal

Music education sophomore Angel Velasquez said a little help with his summer tuition wouldn't be a bad thing.

Some classes he needs for his major or for electives are only offered in the summer at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin so he plans to attend summer classes.

The 21-year-old can take freshmen and sophomore level classes at a lower price this summer thanks to a new tuition scholarship program for current, early admission, transfer or dual-credit students.

UTPB President David Watts unveiled Friday the summer tuition scholarship, which has a fund of about $200,000 available through state and private funds to be awarded to students.

Entering freshmen may also apply for this scholarship, which equals to 50 percent of the tuition and fees for freshmen and sophomore level courses and aims at helping undergraduates "jumpstart" their summer 2008 courses, Watts said.

Students could save more than $230 per class in the summer, he said, noting the scholarship makes tuition for a three-credit course $236.85.

Current and transfer students must have at least a 2.0 grade-point average to apply. Watts said the scholarship isn't applicable for applied music courses or other course fees like lab fees.

The scholarship applies to the classes students take this summer and not their classification such as freshmen or junior, he said.

"We want education to be on everybody's mind," he said.

The scholarship would be applied to a student's transcript upon selection and following their acceptance and enrollment into UTPB, Watts said.

Some courses that where the scholarship could apply include History 1301 and 1302 and music appreciation, he said.

Since finding out about the scholarship, Velasquez said he hopes to apply for the scholarship and enroll in classes like history or something related to his major.

After all, 50 percent off tuition could help him out, he said.

"You can graduate early by doing that," Velasquez said.

REGISTRATION

>> Summer registration deadlines:

>> Last day to register whole summer June 5

>> Summer 1 is June 5.

>> Summer 2 is July 10.

>> Whole summer runs from May 30 to August 7.

>> Summer 1 runs from May 30 - July 3.

>> Summer 2 runs from July 3- August 7.