Financial aid consists of federal, state, institutional, and private fund(s) used to assist eligible students in funding their education. Financial aid can be given in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, waivers, and student employment. Scholarships and grants are considered “free money” or “gift aid” and the student is not required to repay; however, loans and student employment are considered “self-help aid” and most loans require repayment when a student becomes enrolled less than half time or graduates. Student employment consists of work-study positions, either on- or off- campus.

Students at the University of Texas Pan-American receive annually approximately $Xmillion in financial assistance through scholarships, grants, loans, waivers and work-study. More than X students, approximately X%, received some form of financial

 

Do I have to pay to obtain financial aid information?

 

A family should never have to pay for college planning or financial aid information. Some companies will offer services in which they will assist with the financial aid application process or searching for scholarships for a fee. While these services may be legitimate, a student and their families can obtain the same information and assistance for free from their school counselors, local colleges and universities, and other organizations.