Commuter Grant Overview
Objective
To provide Commuter Grants to students who are attending Universal Technical Institute campuses (specific campus/program eligibility criteria listed below) with demonstrated financial need. The grant will be available to all students who meet the eligibility criteria as defined below; there is no separate application process.
Program variations and restrictions are listed below.
Criteria for Awarding the Grant
Eligibility will be based on proximity to campus* and financial need as determined by the Student Aid Index (SAI), which is calculated by the US Dept. of Education as a result of a student completing their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Unless otherwise stated, students meeting the following eligibility criteria will be initially eligible for the grant:
- Enrolled to attend an eligible campus/program,
- Have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles,
- Have an SAI of 8,000 or less
Full eligibility details are listed below.
Eligibility Details
- Eligible students will forfeit their grant eligibility and/or award if they cancel or postpone beyond the latest applicable start date.
- Students receiving the Commuter Grant are not eligible to receive the: Salute to Service Grant, Technical Education Institutional Grant, or any other UTI need-based grant/scholarship/tuition reduction program. If students are eligible for any of the above-mentioned programs, as well as the Commuter Grant, they will need to choose which program they wish to accept.
- Initial eligibility will be based on the approved FAFSA results sent to the school, called an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) that is on file for the 2025-2026 financial year. An approved ISIR meeting, the SAI criteria must be received by the school no later than 9 days following the student’s start date to be considered eligible.
- A student’s proximity to the campus will be based on the address provided at the time the student initially provided their information to the school.
Program variations:
Eligible start date: September 16, 2024
Eligible campuses and programs: Students enrolled in one of these programs at a participating campus listed below, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $500 provided directly to student on September 23, 2024, and $500 provided directly to student on October 30, 2024.
Campus: Program
Universal Technical Institute – Mooresville, NC: Automotive, Diesel or Automotive/Diesel
Universal Technical Institute – Austin, TX: Automotive, Diesel or Automotive/Diesel
Universal Technical Institute – Bloomfield, NJ: HVAC
Universal Technical Institute – Dallas, TX: Automotive, Diesel or Automotive/Diesel
Universal Technical Institute – Exton, PA: Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel or Robotics & Automation Technician
Universal Technical Institute – Houston, TX: Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel or Robotics & Automation Technician
Universal Technical Institute – Lisle, IL: Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Wind Turbine Technician or Industrial Maintenance Technician
Universal Technical Institute – Long Beach, CA: Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Airframe & Powerplant Technician or Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology
Universal Technical Institute – Miramar, FL: Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel or Airframe & Powerplant Technician
Universal Technical Institute – Orlando, FL: Automotive, Diesel or Automotive/Diesel
Universal Technical Institute – Avondale, AZ: Automotive, Diesel or Automotive/Diesel
Universal Technical Institute – Rancho Cucamonga, CA: Automotive, Diesel or Automotive/Diesel
Universal Technical Institute – Sacramento, CA: Automotive, Diesel or Automotive/Diesel
Eligible start date: October 7, 2024
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Airframe & Powerplant Technician, CNC Machining Technology, Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology, Robotics & Automation Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Non Destructive Testing or Industrial Maintenance Technician program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student at orientation and $400 provided directly to student after the successful completion of the fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: October 28, 2024
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Airframe & Powerplant Technician, CNC Machining Technology, Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology, Robotics & Automation Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Non Destructive Testing or Industrial Maintenance Technician program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student at orientation and $400 provided directly to student after the successful completion of the fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: November 18, 2024
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Airframe & Powerplant Technician, CNC Machining Technology, Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology, Robotics & Automation Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Non Destructive Testing or Industrial Maintenance Technician program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 11/25/2024 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of the fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: December 4, 2024
Eligible campus: Universal Technical Institute located in Canton, MI
- Airframe & Powerplant Technician, Robotics & Automation Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Non-Destructive Testing or Industrial Maintenance Technician program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 12/9/2024 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of the fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: December 16, 2024
Eligible campus: Universal Technical Institute located in Orlando, FL
- Motorcycle Technician or Marine Technician Specialist program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 12/20/2024 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of the fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: January 6, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Airframe & Powerplant Technician, CNC Machining Technology, Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology, Robotics & Automation Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Non Destructive Testing or Industrial Maintenance Technician program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 1/13/2025 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: February 17, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Airframe & Powerplant Technician, CNC Machining Technology, Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology, Robotics & Automation Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Non Destructive Testing or Industrial Maintenance Technician program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 2/24/2025 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: February 19, 2025
Eligible campus: Universal Technical Institute located in Canton, MI
- Airframe & Powerplant Technician, Robotics & Automation Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Non-Destructive Testing or Industrial Maintenance Technician program(s): Student enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 2/26/2025 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of the fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: February 24, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Airframe & Powerplant Technician, CNC Machining Technology, Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology, Robotics & Automation Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Non Destructive Testing or Industrial Maintenance Technician program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 3/3/2025 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: March 31, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Airframe & Powerplant Technician, CNC Machining Technology, Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology, Robotics & Automation Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Non Destructive Testing or Industrial Maintenance Technician program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 4/7/2025 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: April 24, 2025
Eligible campus: Universal Technical Institute located in Canton, MI
- Airframe & Powerplant Technician, Robotics & Automation Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Non-Destructive Testing or Industrial Maintenance Technician program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 4/28/2025 (Monty following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of the fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: April 28, 2025
Eligible campus: Universal Technical Institute located in Orlando, FL
- Motorcycle Technician or Marine Technician Specialist program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 5/5/2025 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of the fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: June 2, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Airframe & Powerplant Technician, CNC Machining Technology, Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology, Robotics & Automation Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Non Destructive Testing or Industrial Maintenance Technician program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 6/9/2025 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of the fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: June 9, 2025
Eligible campus: Universal Technical Institute located in Orlando, FL
- Motorcycle Technician or Marine Technician Specialist program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 6/16/2025 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of the fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: June 23, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel, Airframe & Powerplant Technician, CNC Machining Technology, Collision Repair & Refinishing Technology, Robotics & Automation Technician, Wind Turbine Technician, Non Destructive Testing or Industrial Maintenance Technician program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 6/30/2025 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of the fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: June 30, 2025
Eligible campus: Universal Technical Institute located in Phoenix, AZ
- Motorcycle Technician program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 8,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $400 provided directly to student on 7/7/2025 (Monday following start date), and secondary distribution of $400 provided directly to student at the completion of the fifth (5th) course.
Eligible start date: August 4, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- Automotive, Diesel, Automotive/Diesel program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 20,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $300 provided directly to student on 8/4/2025 (check will be available after the end of class on 8/4/2025).
Eligible start date: August 25, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- ADIT program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 20,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include: $500 provided directly to student on 8/25/2025 (check will be available after the end of class on 8/25/2025).
Eligible start date: September 15, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- ADIT program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 20,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include $500 provided directly to student on 9/15/2025 (check will be available after the end of class on 9/15/2025), and secondary distribution of $500 provided directly to student on 10/15/2025.
Eligible start date: October 6, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- ADIT program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 20,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include $500 provided directly to student on 10/6/2025 (check will be available after the end of class on 10/6/2025), and secondary distribution of $500 provided directly to student on 11/3/2025.
Eligible start date: October 27, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- ADIT programs: Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 20,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include $500 provided directly to students on 10/27/2025 (check will be available after the end of class), and secondary distribution of $500 provided directly to students on 11/24/2025.
Eligible start date: November 3, 2025
Eligible campuses: Universal Technical Institute located in Phoenix, AZ
- Motorcycle program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 20,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include $500 provided directly to students on 11/3/2025 (check will be available after the end of class on 11/3/2025), and secondary distribution of $500 provided directly to students on 12/3/2025.
Eligible start date: November 17, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- ADIT program(s): Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 20,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include $500 provided directly to students on 11/17/2025 (check will be available after the end of class on 11/17/2025), and secondary distribution of $500 provided directly to students on 12/17/2025.
Eligible start date: December 8, 2025
Eligible campuses: All Universal Technical Institute campuses
- ADIT programs: Students enrolled in one of these programs, who have an SAI of 50,000 or less, and who have a proximity to the campus of less than 50 miles* will be eligible for the Commuter Grant. Commuter Grant distribution of funds will include $500 provided directly to student on 12/8/2025 (check will be available after the end of class on 12/8/2025), and secondary distribution of $500 provided directly to student on 1/8/2026.
*Proximity will be calculated using the latitude and longitude of the initial address provided to the school, compared with the latitude and longitude of the campus location.
Process and Rules
- Only one award will be given per student.
- Students who have previously posted attendance in any program are not eligible.
- Students who have previously received any amount of funding through the Commuter Grant on previous enrollments are not eligible.
- Funding for this program is limited, and the program may be suspended at any time at UTI’s discretion. Students are not considered eligible until an official Award Notification has been sent out by the UTI Scholarship & Grants Department. In the event of program suspension, any grant awarded prior to the suspension date will not be affected.
- If a grant recipient takes a leave of absence during the Commuter Grant funding distribution, funding will be placed on hold until the student returns to an active status.
- In the event of withdrawal, suspension or termination from school, the Commuter Grant will cease effective immediately.
- For students eligible for the grant with additional disbursements made after the student has started classes: students must be actively attending and in good standing in order to receive the indicated disbursement.
- Student may take an approved LOA prior to the successful (passing grade) completion of the necessary courses and not forfeit the additional disbursement.
- If student withdrawals prior to the successful (passing grade) completion of the necessary courses/timeframe, the student will forfeit the additional disbursement(s) made after starting classes, even if they re-enroll at a later date.
- All UTI programs are subject to seat availability, and occasionally, a program start date for which a grant is available, reaches capacity and students may be asked to postpone their start date. Students who have met all of the admissions requirements prior to the start and must postpone their start date can retain their grant for the next available start date. This applies only to students who are asked to postpone due to capacity constraints, and not students who postpone on their own for unrelated reasons. Students who have not completed all necessary steps to begin their program prior to the original start date who are impacted by a capacity postponement will lose their grant eligibility if the grant program is not otherwise available for the new start date.
- Universal Technical Institute, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively “UTI”) are committed to education and work communities that are free from prohibited discrimination and harassment. UTI prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation/gender identity or expression, genetic information, and any other legally protected status in the provision of its courses, programs, services or activities.
- UTI has designated the Director of Program Compliance as the individual responsible for the coordination and administration of its non-discrimination and harassment policies. In addition, the Director of Program Compliance has been designated to coordinate UTI’s compliance with Title IX, Section 504, the ADA and the Age Act. Questions or comments about discrimination or harassment can be directed to the Director of Program Compliance at 4225 E. Windrose Drive, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85032 or by calling (800) 859-7249.
- Admissions Representatives may not provide any guidance beyond general information about the availability of this grant and must refer prospective students to the Financial Aid office for more detailed information. Grants shall not be used as a recruiting device.