Grants

• Federal PELL Grant
• Texas Grant
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
• Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)
• LEAPP Grants
• Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
• National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART Grant)

Grants are awarded based on financial need determined by the results of the FAFSA form. Grants are gift funds that do not require repayment. A student's financial aid award will include grant funds whenever guidelines and funding levels permit. Funding is limited in some programs so students must apply early to receive most federal and state grants funds. Priority for grants is given to students that meet the May 1st priority deadline.

Grant funds are initially awarded based on full-time status during the fall and spring semesters. If a student enrollment changes to three-quarter time and half time status, grant funds may be reduced. Graduate students are not eligible for federal grants but may be eligible for state grants if they demonstrate need and meet specific requirements.

Federal PELL Grant

PELL grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. Pell Grants do not have to be repaid. Eligibility for the PELL grant is determined by the Department of Education based on results of the FAFSA form. Students do not have to be registered full-time to receive the PELL grant. The amount of PELL grant will be determined by the maximum set by the Department of Education, your Expected Family Contribution (EFC Number) and your enrollment status.

Federal Pell Grant awards may vary from year to year depending on program funding. During the 2008-2009 award year, the maximum is $4,731 per award year (fall/spring semesters) based on full-time enrollment. During the 2009-2010 award year, the maximum is $5350 per award year (fall/spring semesters) based on a full-time enrollment. Once the students accept the award, the student's account will be credited.

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TEXAS Grant

The purpose of the TEXAS Grant program is to provide a grant of money to enable well-prepared eligible students to attend public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education in Texas. The priority in making awards is to provide continued funding to recipients already enrolled in the program who are in college and making progress towards their degrees.

Due to limited funding within this program, many new students who meet the eligibility requirements will not be able to receive awards in 2009-2010.

Students may be eligible to receive this grant by either completing the recommended or higher curriculum in high school after the Fall of 1998 or receiving their first associate’s degree on or after the May 2001. Eligible students must also demonstrate financial need and be enrolled at least ¾ time to qualify for this grant.

Once students receive this grant, they must maintain academic standards to continue in the program for the following year. At the end of the first year, a student entering the program must be meeting the school's Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. For the second and subsequent years, students must comply with Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board standards, where they must maintain a cumulative GPA of a 2.5 and complete 75% of their coursework for that academic year and if awarded on or after September 1, 2005 must complete at least 24 semester credit hours.

See TEXAS Grant Website for additional information.

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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

A Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is an institutional grant for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. It is awarded to students with the lowest EFC and students with the Federal Pell Grant eligibility. An FSEOG does not have to be repaid.

A student may receive between $100 and $1,000 of the FSEOG at UT - Pan American a year depending when the student applied for financial aid. Unlike the Pell Grant, there is no guarantee every eligible student will be able to receive an FSEOG; awards are based on the availability of funds.
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Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)

The Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG) is an institutional grant for undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. A TPEG does not have to be repaid.

A student can receive between $100 and $1,000 of a TPEG at UT - Pan American a year depending when the student applied for aid. Unlike the Federal Pell Grant, there is no guarantee every eligible student will be able to receive a TPEG; awards are based on the availability of funds.

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LEAPP Grants

A Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (LEAPP) is a grant for undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. It does not have to be repaid and a student may receive between $100 and $800 a year depending when the student applied for aid and the student's level of need. Unlike the Federal Pell Grant, there is no guarantee every eligible student will be able to receive a LEAPP; awards are based on the availability of funds.

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Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is grant offered to freshmen and sophomores who successfully completed a rigorious high school program and graduated as "Recommended or Distinguished" as determined by the state or state education agency and recognized by the Secretary of Education. Students must have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA) for the current academic year and meet other qualifications be consider eligible for this grant.

First year students must have graduated from high school on or after January 1, 2006.

Second year students must have graduated from high school after January 1, 2005:

Eligible students must be:

• Pell eligible for current year, and 
• Be US Citizens; Effective July 1, 2009 non-citizens may be eligible 
• Be enrolled at least full-time; Effective July 1, 2009 students enrolled at least half time may be eligible
• Be enrolled in a degree program

First year students who qualify may receive up to $750 for the first academic year. Second year students may receive $1, 300 if a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a scale of 4.0

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

SMART grant eligible students are required each semester to provide Student Financial Services with documentation of their progress towards completing their declared major. This Form may be completed by a counselor, advisor, or academic depart­ment before funds are released.

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