The University of Puerto Rico is a public university system made up of eleven campuses distributed throughout Puerto Rico. Each and every one of the campuses is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, which means that transfers and admission to graduate study in U.S. universities is seamless.

The eleven campuses of the system, taken all together, offer more than 450 bachelor’s programs, more than 129 masters and more than 20 doctoral programs. This full spectrum of degree programs will help you get the education and the experience you need to succeed as a professional. The University of Puerto Rico also offers extensive extracurricular activities, which cover the entire gamut, from sports, music and theater to educational and social clubs. UPR has something for everyone to build a strong body, mind and spirit. Three campuses are participating in the Bilingual Initiative for Latino Students. These are the Río Piedras Campus, the University of Puerto Rico at Cayey and The University of Puerto Rico at Humacao.

Program Benefits

•Waiver of the application fee.

• Tuition fees paid by residents of Puerto Rico. Costs for academic year 2007-08 are as follows: $45 per credit-hour, plus annual maintenance fee of $144 and Medical Insurance Fees ($684.00 for the basic coverage; $1,585.00 for full coverage including prescription drugs). Tuition for academic year 2008-09 is $47.00 per credit. Other costs will be available in July 2008.

• Housing location services to insure the availability of quality affordable housing for participants.

• A first year of general education courses in the Humanities, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences,
offered in English.*

• A specially designed intensive course in Spanish with a strong immersion experience in Puerto
Rican culture.

• Participation -if qualified-in the Financial Aid Programs administered by the University.

• Academic support systems designed to enhance student success.

*Sections offered in English will depend on the number of students admitted to the Initiative. In any case, students will receive individualized academic support services, including assistance in the development of their language skills in Spanish.

Participating Campuses

The Río Piedras Campus is an urban university offering a wide variety of programs from bachelor to doctoral degrees. With over 20,000 students enrolled in all of the major fields in business, education, humanities, natural and social sciences. Graduate programs are offered in all of these fields and in law, arquitecture, planning, public administration, and information science. The University of Puerto Rico at Cayey is located in a beautiful, subtropical setting on the Cordillera Central and is a comprehensive, four-year liberal arts college. Its bachelor programs in the natural and social sciences, education and the humanities are complemented by a strong emphasis in the arts. Cayey boasts several musical and theater groups, as well as a small, first-rate museum. Its student population is over 3,600.

The University of Puerto Rico at Humacao is located on the east coast of the island with over 4,000 students. It is a comprehensive, four-year college offering several unique programs: costal marine biology, wildlife management, computer mathematics and physics applied to electronics.

Be aware that the Bilingual Initiative is only available at the Río Piedras, Cayey or Humacao campuses at this time. If you are interested in another campus you have to apply through the regular application process and cannot benefit from the Bilingual Initiative. However, you can consider applying through the Bilingual Initiative and then request a transfer to another campus. Transfer is not automatic. For more information on any of the UPR campuses link on to unidades.

Criteria for Admissions Admission requirements are as follows:

1.      Have a Latino background and be a resident of the United States.

2.      Graduation from an accredited High School, or GED, with a minimum GPA of 3.0

3.      Results of the ACT or SAT college entrance exam.

The program does not accept college transfer students.

The University of Puerto Rico uses a formula combining SAT or ACT scores and the student’s High School Grade Point Average (GPA). For details, go to our webpage.