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What is a Grant ?

Unlike loans, grants are gifts of money which are usually awarded on the basis of a student's financial need. A student's financial aid package may include grant money whenever eligibility and funding levels permit.

Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is a federal program of entitlement basic to all other student financial aid. This grant is only awarded to students pursuing their first bachelor's degree. The program is based on a need analysis formula, which considers family income and assets, size of family, number of children attending post secondary schools, and other factors. Application for the grant is automatic when completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is available only to undergraduate students who have remaining unmet need after the Federal Pell Grant has been awarded.

Priority for awarding will be given to students with a family contribution (EFC) of "0," as established by federal regulations, and who have completed all necessary paperwork by the financial aid deadline of March 17 . Any funds remaining after that date will be awarded to Pell-eligible students with completed files on a "first-come, first-served" basis. The maximum and minimum annual FSEOG awards are set each year by the Office of Financial Aid in accordance with federal regulations.

Academic Competitiveness Grant

The federal ACG Grant provides up to $750 for the first year of full-time undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the scond year of undergraduate full-time study. The student must be a U.S. citizen, Pell-eligible, graduated from high school after January 1, 2005 in a rigorous high school program. The student must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA for the second year.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant

The federal SMART Grant provides up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study. The student must be a U.S. citizen eligible for a Pell Grant, and enrolled in an eligible major. The student must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA each semester.

Tuition Equalization Grant
The Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) is a state grant program for residents attending a private university in the state of Texas. The TEG is provided to help offset some of the difference in cost for students attending private universities in Texas. Students must meet the following eligibility requirements to be eligible for TEG:

• Meet all requirements to receive federal aid as described previously;
• Be a legal Texas resident. If a dependent student, parents must be legal Texas residents;
• Be enrolled in at least twelve hours (12) hours in a semester to receive the grant for that semester;
• Not be the recipient of an athletic scholarship, or a Texas Grant;
• Not be a Christian Ministries or Church Music. (Some exceptions apply for non-ministerial students. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information).
• Income level of the family may not exceed $95,000 per year.

TEXAS Grant
The TEXAS Grant is a state grant program designed to encourage students to attend college immediately after high school and to provide access to those students who completed advanced curriculum programs for their high school diplomas. Students must meet the following criteria to be considered for the TEXAS Grant:

• be a Texas resident;
• graduate from a public or accredited private high school in Texas no earlier than fall 1998;
• complete the recommended or advanced high school curriculum or its equivalent;
• have financial need;
• have applied for any available financial aid or assistance;
• enroll at least 3/4 time in an undergraduate degree or certificate program; and
• must have EFC less than $4000.