UTEP Passport Project

The UTEP Passport Acceptance Facility’s mission, as part of the Office of International Programs & Study Abroad, is to empower students to develop international and global mindsets, cross-cultural competencies, and leadership skills. Under this mission and in support of UTEP’s commitment to access, the office aims to remove passport-related barriers to international experiences.

The UTEP Passport Project is a new initiative created to remove the financial barrier to obtaining a passport book. More than half of US citizens do not have a valid passport, and of the UTEP students who begin the application process to study abroad, approximately one third do not have one at the time of applying. Students who are selected will be able to apply for a US passport book through the UTEP Passport Acceptance Facility at no cost to them.

Donating to the project means you are helping UTEP students gain access to a world of opportunities.

Your donation supports:

UTEP students with demonstrated financial need who have never had a passport book.

• Students must be US citizens, seeking a degree at UTEP, eligible to receive the Federal Pell Grant, and be first-time applicants for a passport.
• If the project reaches the $10,000 fundraising goal, 64 students will receive a passport ($155 value)

Providing a passport for students increases their access to educational, professional and cultural experiences. Help us provide more international opportunities for students by covering the full cost of a passport!

Before going abroad, I did not have a clear idea of how I would achieve what I wanted to do in my career. After acquiring many new skills, I am a more competitive candidate in the job market hoping to land to a job where I can have a meaningful impact on the community. Luis Davila, France 

Going abroad gave me a better perspective of the world, an understanding of the important things in life, the confidence to step out of my comfort zone, and the ability to enjoy every second. Those months passed incredibly fast, but they feel like the most memorable moments of my life. Now it feels that I have truly lived the college experience. Aranda Rivera, United Kingdom 

Benefits of a passport:

In addition to the ability to pursue study abroad (a UTEP Edge experience), having a US passport means a student is able to

• travel to over 150 countries without the need to apply for a visa in advance
• fly within the US without needing another form of REAL ID compliant identification
• easily verify employment and voting eligibility in the US