A&M-Texarkana Financial Aid

Many A&M-Texarkana students receive financial aid through various sources, such as, grants, scholarships, loans or employment opportunities. This aid comes from your tax or tuition dollars or through financial aid gifts to the university. The aid is designed to help defray your educational expenses such as tuition, fees, books, transportation, childcare, and personal/miscellaneous expenses while attending college.

The following “need-based” programs are available at A&M-Texarkana, however, you must first complete the “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA) in order for us to determine your eligibility. After you complete the FAFSA and have your Student Aid Reports sent to us electronically, our office will notify you of other documents that may be needed. In order to qualify for these programs, students must show financial need, demonstrate “Satisfactory Academic Progress”, not be in default on a loan made insured, or guaranteed under the Federal or State Loan Programs, and not owe a refund on a grant received under any Federal or State Grant Program. Male students must also attest to Selective Service registration. Graduate students, pursing a Master’s degree, must be completing requirements for “Admission to a Graduate Degree Program.”

If you wish to discuss any of these programs or would like further assistance, please feel free to contact our Financial Aid Office at: 903-223-3066 or email us at: fin.aid@tamut.edu

FEDERAL NEED-BASED PROGRAMS

Federal Pell Grant
For undergraduate students only. Eligibility is limited while working on the first bachelor’s degree. Based on FAFSA.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
For students who demonstrate financial need only. Eligibility is based on the FAFSA and available funding. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 semester hours.

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART) Must meet the following criteria:

*Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen

*Eligible for Pell Grant (as determined by the FAFSA)

*Third or fourth year student (junior or senior) in a baccalaureate degree

program

*Enrolled at least halftime (a minimum of 6 semester hours) in an eligible major *Have a 3.00 cumulative grade point average

*Majoring in physical sciences, life sciences, computer science, technology, mathematics, engineering, or certain designated foreign languages

*Total of Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and all aid/resources cannot exceed Cost of Attendance (COA)

*Funds from this program cannot be used to replace the EFC

*Award amounts up to $4000 for both third and fourth year

TEACH GRANT PROGRAM

Through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, Congress created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides grants of up to $4,000 per year to students who intend to teach in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves students from low-income families. The first TEACH Grants at A&M-Texarkana will be awarded to eligible students for the 2009-2010 award year beginning Fall 2009. If, after reading all of the information on this fact sheet, you are interested in learning more about the TEACH Grant Program, go to: https://teach-ats.ed.gov/ats/images/gen/factsheet.pdf

Conditions

In exchange for receiving a TEACH Grant, you must agree to serve as a full-time teacher in a high-need field in a public or private elementary or secondary school that serves low-income students (see below for more information on high-need fields and schools serving low-income students). As a recipient of a TEACH Grant, you must teach for at least four academic years within eight calendar years of completing the program of study for which you received a TEACH Grant. IMPORTANT: If you fail to complete this service obligation, all amounts of TEACH Grants that you received will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education. You will be charged interest from the date the grant(s) was disbursed.

Student Eligibility Requirements

To receive a TEACH Grant at A&M-Texarkana, you must meet the following criteria:

*Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), although this is a non-need based program.

*Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.

*Be an undergraduate degree-seeking student at A&M-Texarkana in one of the following approved teacher education programs:

Biology-Composite Science-Grades 8-12

Biology-Life Science-Grades 8-12

Interdisciplinary Studies-EC-4 Bilingual Education Generalist

Interdisciplinary Studies -EC-4 w/Special Education

Interdisciplinary Studies -Math/Science Grades 4-8

Interdisciplinary Studies Science-Grades 4-8

Math Grades 4-8

Math Grades 8-12

*Have a cumulative 3.25 grade point average (GPA) and maintain this GPA each semester of award

*Sign a TEACH Grant “Agreement to Serve” with the Department of Education. See below for more information on the TEACH Grant “Agreement to Serve” or go to: https://teach-ats.ed.gov/ats/index.action

Federal Work-Study Program (FWS)
Provides employment for students who demonstrate a financial need. Based on FAFSA. Students must be enrolled at least half time.

Federal Stafford Loans
Subsidized—Enables students with financial need to borrow directly from participating lenders, such as banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, etc. The current interest rate is fixed and capped at 8.25% with repayment beginning six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time. The FAFSA is required.
Unsubsidized—This program has the same terms and conditions as Subsidized Stafford Loans except the borrower pays the interest during deferment and in-school periods. This program is not a need-based program, however, the FAFSA must be completed to determine eligibility.

Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
The PLUS is a loan program in which the parent of a dependent undergraduate student borrows from a participating lender. Although the parent loan is not based on financial need, the loan amount is limited by the university’s Cost of Attendance, and a FAFSA is required in order for the university to first determine the student’s eligibility for the Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized (due to the lower interest rates).
Graduate PLUS Loans

Graduate PLUS Loan
The Graduate PLUS is a new loan program that allows PLUS loan eligibility to graduate and professional students. Students must complete the FAFSA. Students must be a graduate/professional student enrolled at least half-time in a degree or teaching certificate program. Parents of graduate students are not eligible to borrow the loan. Students must pass a credit check to be considered for this loan. A co-signer is not required; however, the student may apply with an endorser if he/she fails the credit check. Annual limit is the student’s Cost of Attendance minus any other financial aid or resources. There is no aggregate limit for this loan. Although the loan is not based on financial need, the student’s loan amount is limited by the university’s Cost of Attendance, and a FAFSA is required in order for the university to first determine the student’s eligibility for the Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized (due to the lower interest rates).

STATE NEED-BASED PROGRAMS

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAP)

Texas resident--(out-of-state paying in-state do NOT qualify); or a national merit scholarship
Undergraduate
Undergraduate AGPA of 2.00
Enrolled at least 3sh
U.S. citizen or “eligible non-citizen” as defined by Federal methodology
Show financial need
Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Must comply with Selective Service registration requirement
Enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program at an eligible institution
Not receiving an athletic scholarship
Not borrowed in excess of Federal student aid limits
Not in default on a Federal loan
No refund owed on a Federal or State grant
Sign Statement of Educational Purpose and a Certification Statement on Overpayments & Default
High School diploma or GED

Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (SLEAP)

Texas resident or a national merit scholarship
Undergraduate
Undergraduate AGPA of 2.00
Enrolled at least 3sh
U.S. citizen or “eligible non-citizen” as defined by Federal methodology
Show financial need
Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Must comply with Selective Service registration requirement
Enrolled as a regular student in an eligible program at an eligible institution
Not receiving an athletic scholarship
Not borrowed in excess of Federal student aid limits
Not in default on a Federal loan
No refund owed on a Federal or State grant
Sign Statement of Educational Purpose and a Certification Statement on Overpayments & Default
High School diploma or GED

Toward Excellence, Access, & Success Grant (TEXAS Grant)
Criteria if awarded first TEXAS Grant prior to 9/1/05:

Texas resident
Has financial need
Undergraduate enrolled in degree/certificate program
Has not received bachelor’s degree
No felony or crime involving a controlled substance
Prior TEXAS Grant recipient
Enrolled in a minimum of 9 semester hours
Meets SAP, which at the end of the first year means meeting the SAP of the school and thereafter means: 75% completion rate in prior year and 2.50 cumulative GPA
Received TEXAS Grant for no more than 6 years or 150 semester hours or receiving bachelor’s degree
If initial TEXAS Grant was based on receiving associate’s degree, eligibility ends 4 years or 90 hours from start of semester first awarded
Award, when added to other non-loan aid, must at least equal tuition and fees
Hardship provisions may apply for: less than three-quarter-time enrollment, less than 75% completion rate, less than 2.50 GPA and extension of 6 year limit.

Criteria if awarded first TEXAS Grant 9/1/05 or after:

Texas resident
Has financial need
Undergraduate enrolled in degree/certificate program
Has not received bachelor’s degree
No felony or crime involving a controlled substance
Prior TEXAS Grant recipient
Enrolled in a minimum of 9 semester hours
Meets SAP, which at the end of the first year means meeting the SAP of the school and thereafter means: 75% completion rate in prior year, 2.50 cumulative GPA, and completed 24 semester hours (including summer) in prior year
Must complete 4 year degree within 5 years or if degree is greater than 4 years, must complete within 6 years
Can receive TEXAS Grant up to 5 years if initial TEXAS Grant was based on completion of Recommended or Advanced High School Program or equivalent and enrolled in a degree/certificate program that is 4 years or less, or 6 years if award was based on completion of Recommended or Advanced High School Program or equivalent and enrolled in a degree/certificate program of more than 4 years.
If initial TEXAS Grant was based on receiving associate’s degree, eligibility ends 3 years or 90 hours from start of semester first awarded if in a 4 year plan; or 4 years if in a 5 year plan.
Award, when added to other non-loan aid, must at least equal tuition and fees
Architecture and Engineering programs are recognized as degree programs that are greater than 4 years

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART) MOVE TO FEDERAL PROGRAMS

Tuition Scholarship

Texas resident or non-resident
Undergraduate or Graduate
Enrolled in at least 3 semester hours at A&M-Texarkana
Have and maintain 2.00 cumulative GPA (undergraduate) or 3.00 cumulative GPA (graduate)
Student’s award may not exceed 70% of NEED in gift aid

Texas Public Ed Grant (TPEG)

Texas resident or non-resident
Enrolled in 6 semester hours (undergraduate) or 6 semester hours (graduate)
Have and maintain 2.00 cumulative GPA (undergraduate) or 3.00 GPA (graduate)

Fifth -Year Accounting Scholarship

Texas resident
5th year Accounting student
Completed 120 semester hours including 15 semester hours of accounting
Plans to take written Texas CPA exam and has not taken the uniform CPA Exam offered by the Texas Board of Public Accountancy for the purpose of becoming a CPA.
Enrolled in at least 6 semester hours
Based on need, GPA, and residency
Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00

Student Deposit Fund

Texas resident
Undergraduate or graduate
Enrolled in at least 3 semester hours
Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.00; Graduate cumulative GPA of 3.00
Show financial need
Maintain satisfactory academic progress
Not in default on a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under the Federal or state student loan program
Not owe a refund on a grant received under any federal or state grant programs
Attest to selective Service Registration. Other criteria for selection of recipients may include the following when funds are limited: First generation student, Head of household, and/or Student returning to school after an absence of 5 years.

Presidential Need-based Scholarship

Bonafide Texas resident
Junior or Senior pursuing first Bachelor’s degree
New transfer student or first generation student (first member of your immediate family to ever attend college)
Enrolled in a minimum of 6 undergraduate hours at A&M-Texarkana
Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.00
U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
May not receive more than 70% of need in gift aid

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