US EditionBillionaire pledges $100M to University of Austin on condition it take no federal funding
Jeff Yass’s $100 million gift is the largest single donation to fund tuition-free education at the University of Austin, part of a $300 million campaign to avoid tuition and government aid.
- On Wednesday, the University of Austin announced a historic $100 million donation from Jeff Yass, billionaire co-founder of Susquehanna International Group, its largest single gift to date.
- Yass said he donated $100 million to the University of Austin, which was founded in 2021 by Bari Weiss, who recently became CBS News' editor in chief, and others, to support its anti-censorship mission.
- The university says the gift launches a campaign to raise $300 million to fund the college without tuition or subsidies, receiving half now and half over four years.
- Students are being asked to commit future donations to sustain operations, with UATX’s 2024 graduating class of 92 and current enrollment of 150 growing toward 400–500 while accreditation remains pending.
- Yass, who is a $65.7 billion Susquehanna co-founder, has donated $10 million to Gov. Greg Abbott earlier this year, while observers remain skeptical about the model's practicality.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Associated Press News
Billionaire pledges $100M to University of Austin on condition it take no federal funding
Billionaire Jeff Yass, a major backer of efforts to expand private school vouchers, donated $100 million to offer free tuition permanently to students who enroll at the University of Austin, the fledgling private university founded by critics of traditional higher education who argue colleges have g
Billionaire Jeff Yass gives $100 million to University of Austin for free tuition
By Jessica Priest, The Texas Tribune November 5, 2025 Billionaire Jeff Yass, a major backer of efforts to expand private school vouchers, donated $100 million to offer free tuition permanently to students who enroll at the University of Austin, the fledgling private university founded by critics of traditional higher education who argue colleges have grown hostile to free speech and merit. The university, which announced the gift last month, did…
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