UPR continues to operate in deficit but moves toward financial stabilization

The University of Puerto Rico submitted its audited financial reports to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse the same day they were completed, ensuring continued eligibility for federal student aid programs, including the Pell Grant, officials said.

By THE STAR STAFF

The University of Puerto Rico (UPR), which continues to operate under a significant accumulated deficit despite reducing it by $237 million, filed its audited financial statements for fiscal year (FY) 2025 more than two months ahead of the March 31, 2026 deadline — a rare milestone that the institution says underscores progress toward financial stabilization.

The announcement comes as several university groups continue pressing for the removal of UPR President Zayira Jordán Conde, intensifying scrutiny over the administration’s performance.

UPR submitted the audited reports to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse the same day they were completed, ensuring continued eligibility for federal student aid programs, including the Pell Grant.

Finance Director Laura Ortiz Ramos said it is the first time in more than a decade that the university has completed the audit process so far ahead of schedule, a benchmark not reached since FY 2005.

The statements show UPR reduced its accumulated deficit from $910 million to $673 million by the end of FY 2025. Although the island’s main public university remains in deficit, officials said the sustained decline signals a clear trend toward financial recovery.

The audit also contains no findings questioning UPR’s ability to continue operations, a reversal from previous years. Administrators said the absence of such warnings reflects greater institutional stability.

“This result reflects a structural shift in the way the university manages its financial processes,” Jordán Conde said. “Meeting and exceeding established timelines is a clear sign of responsibility, administrative rigor and commitment to transparency.”

Puerto Rico Treasury Secretary Ángel Pantoja Rodríguez said his agency worked closely with UPR to provide accounting support. He praised the early filing and the lack of operational‑uncertainty findings, saying the results strengthen the institution’s fiscal credibility.

UPR Vice President of External Resources Ilka C. Ríos Reyes said the timely submission helps reinforce the university’s standing with accrediting and regulatory bodies, while Ortiz Ramos noted that the milestone resulted from coordinated efforts across multiple departments.

The report also points to improvements in auditor contracting, integration of financial data and compliance with Puerto Rico’s public‑sector accounting laws.

UPR officials said the advancement supports the university’s push toward a more modern and efficient administrative model, even as debate over its leadership continues.