Grants

Federal Grants (Title IV Funds)

Federal Pell Grant  a program for students with documented financial need as determined through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  The Pell Grant is money that the student does not need to repay.   The student must be making satisfactory academic progress and must also meet the additional eligibility requirements outlined in the Eligibility Requirements section.   Applicants with the equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree from anywhere in the world are not eligible for this grant.  Only students with calculated family contributions of 0-3500 (2006 - 07) and 0-4100 (2007 - 08) may be eligible.  The enrollment status of the student i.e. full-time, three-quarter time or half-time will have a proportional effect on the amount of money the student may receive.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) a program designed for students showing exceptional need and Federal Pell Grant eligibility.  This is also a program that does not have to be repaid.  Funds are awarded to eligible students on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted.  Applicants with the equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree are not eligible for this grant.

Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) will provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and who had successfully completed a rigorous high school program, as determined by the state or local education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Second year students must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0. The program will be available for the first time for the 2006-07 school year for first year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006 and for second year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005. The Academic Competitiveness Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.

If you can answer YES to all of the following questions, you may potentially be eligible to receive an Academic Competitiveness Grant.

1. Are you a U.S. citizen?
2. Did you graduate from high school after January 1, 2005?
3. Are you eligible to receive a Pell Grant?
4. Will you be enrolled as a full-time first or second year student in a two-year or
   four-year degree program?

If you answered YES to all of the above questions,  click on the following link for instructions on how to apply for this new student aid grant program: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/NewPrograms.jsp

National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S. citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security. The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in coursework required for the major. The National SMART Grant award is in addition to the student's Pell Grant award.

To be eligible to receive a National SMART Grant, you must be able to answer YES to all of the following questions:

1. Are you a US citizen?
2. Are you eligible to receive a Pell Grant?
3. Are you enrolled as a full-time third or fourth year student in a baccalaureate degree program?
4. Do you have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average?
5. Are you currently enrolled in an eligible major in one of the following categories: Computer Science, Engineering, Critical Foreign Languages, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Technology, or Multidisciplinary Studies? (Click on the following link to view complete list of eligible majors:  http://www.ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/attachments/GEN0606A.pdf

If you could not answer YES to all of the above questions, you do not qualify to receive a National SMART Grant. However, you may still qualify to receive other types of federal student financial aid. If you have not completed a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), please go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and apply today.

If you answered YES to all of the above questions and you have already submitted a FAFSA form, please email financialaid@utb.edu to identify yourself as a potentially eligible student.

State Grants

Towards EXcellence, Access and Success (TEXAS) Grant Program 
The following information is accurate for students entering the program on or after September 1, 2005.

Program Purpose

Who can apply? Students who... For an initial award

• Are Texas residents
• Have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance
• Show financial need
Register for the Selective Service or are exempt from this requirement
AND

• Be a graduate of an accredited high school in Texas not earlier than the 1998-99 school year
• Complete the Recommended High School Program or Distinguished Achievement Program in high school
• Enroll in a non-profit public college or university in Texas within 16 months of graduation from a public or accredited private high school in Texas and
• Have accumulated no more than 30 semester credit hours, excluding those earned for dual or concurrent courses or awarded for credit by examination (AP, IB or CLEP).
OR
• Have earned an associate degree from a public technical, state or community college in Texas and
• Enroll in any public university in Texas no more than 12 months after receiving their associate's degree.

 

For awards made on or after 09/01/2005

• At the end of the first year, the student entering the program from high school must be meeting the school's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
• At the end of his/her first year in the TEXAS Grant program, the person entering the program on the basis of an associate's degree must have completed at least 75 percent of the hours attempted, have an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and must have completed at least 24 semester credit hours during the year.
At the end of the second year in the program or later years, all students must complete at least 75 percent of the hours attempted in the prior academic year, have an overall college grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and complete at least 24 semester credit hours per year.

Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)  a program designed for students who may or may not be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.  Applicants must meet most of the same requirements for a Pell Grant and must show some remaining unmet financial need.  Funds do not need to be repaid.   Residents, nonresidents and foreign students (both undergraduates and graduates), are eligible for this grant.  Applicants must attend a Texas public college or university.  Funds are awarded to eligible students on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted.

State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG) a program very much like the TPEG.  Foreign students are not eligible.  Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time and cannot be in default on a student loan or owe a refund to any grant program.  If male, the applicant must meet draft registration requirements.   Funds are very limited and are awarded to eligible students on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are exhausted.