FAQ - Financial Aid Awards

1. How is my financial need determined?

When you complete the FAFSA form, the information you provide determines your financial need. The result is your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC varies based on the number of people in your household and how many are in college. It considers your income and assets. If you are a dependent student, the EFC also considers your parents’ income and assets.

Need-based aid can be in the form of grants, scholarships, Perkins loans, and subsidized low-interest loans. If you don’t qualify for aid based on need, you can still get unsubsidized loans or PLUS loans.

2. When will I know about my awards?

Once we have your complete file, we will send you an email to let you know your money is available through E-Services within two weeks. We begin awarding for the upcoming school year by the beginning of May each year.

3. How many credit hours do I need to receive my aid?

On your FAFSA, we ask you whether you plan to attend full-time, three-quarters time, half-time, or less-than-half-time. This information is used to calculate the financial aid you need, and your award is based on the results. To receive your full grant or loan amounts, you must enroll for enough credit hours to meet your projected enrollment. If you enroll for more or fewer hours than you stated on your FAFSA, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 281.283.2481.

4. Can I receive more financial aid?

Your award package can include grants, loans, work-study, or university scholarships. If you applied for a scholarship and it is not mentioned in the award email don’t worry—scholarships are awarded separately from loans, so you might hear later. If your award email is missing aid you were expecting, call the Office of Student Financial Aid at 281.283.2481.

We have a limited amount of money and we award financial aid on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you complete your application early, you may receive more financial aid than late applicants. If additional financial aid becomes available during the school year, we will re-award students, starting with those who have the highest financial need.

5. What is an "overaward"?

Financial aid is designed to help you pay only expenses associated with your education. An overaward happens when your need-based financial aid is more than your financial need, or when your financial aid exceeds your cost of attendance.

You could have an overaward if you change your enrollment status, housing plans, FAFSA information, residency classification, student type (undergraduate, graduate) Satisfactory Academic Progress status, or if you receive additional financial aid awards or resources. If you are in an overaward situation, we will modify your award as necessary and let you know.

6. Are international students eligible for aid?

With few exceptions, Federal financial assistance is only available to citizens of the United States. If you have only an F1, F2, J1, or J2 student or work visa you are not eligible for federal student aid. See FAFSA for more information on exceptions for people who are not citizens.

International or undocumented students can apply for some state aid. Go to our Online Forms & Services to view the TASFA (for undocumented Texas residents) or the Financial Aid for International and Undocumented Students application.

International students are also eligible for many university scholarships. Also, international students may be eligible for some private student loans. For information regarding these loans, or other external financial aid information, please visit www.edupass.org.