Grants
Grants are gift aid, or free aid, that you don’t have to repay. Grants are funded by the federal government, the state, or by UHCL.
Pell Grant—for students with high need
Typically, Pell Grants are awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to undergraduate students with high financial need working towards their first bachelor's degree.
Pell Grant awards vary from year to year based on Congressional funding for the program. For the 2009-2010 academic year, the minimum yearly Pell award is $609 and the maximum yearly award for a full-time student is $5,350. Read more...
FSEOG - Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant—for undergraduates with the highest need
FSEOG is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. It gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. In order to receive FSEOG, you must meet all the eligibility requirements for the Pell Grant. There’s no guarantee that every eligible student receives an FSEOG award because the award is based on the availability of funds at UHCL and are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. The U.S. Department of Education has more info on FSEOG.
SMART Grant - The National Science & Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant—for undergraduate science and language majors with a 3.0+ average.
A National SMART Grant will provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study. You can not receive more than one National SMART Grant award in each academic year for which you are eligible. Read more...
TEACH Grant for undergraduates and graduates who agree to teach in a high-need field in a low-income school for four years.
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. As a recipient, 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 the TEACH Grants that you received are converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan. You must then repay this loan to the U.S. Department of Education and you are charged interest from the date you received the grant. Read more...
TPEG - Texas Public Educational Grant
The Texas Public Educational Grant Program provides grant assistance to students with financial need. At UHCL, these funds are available to undergraduate, graduate, non-resident, and international students. Priority is given to applicants who complete the application process by the priority deadline date. More info about TPEG can be found on the College for Texans Website.
Texas Grant - Towards EXcellence, Access and Success
TEXAS Grant Program pays college costs for students with financial need who complete the Recommended High School Program or Distinguished Achievement Program in an accredited Texas high school. The program provides money to enable well-prepared, eligible students to attend public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education in Texas. Read more...
Educational Aide Exemption—grants for teacher certification
The Educational Aide Exemption Program encourages employees of public school districts in Texas to seek out and acquire certification as teachers by providing free tuition and reduced fees to program participants. This program covers tuition and mandatory fees (other than class and laboratory fees) for the student enrolled in teacher certification classes.
Read more...
Further Information on State Programs
State programs and information regarding residency, college planning, military in Texas and additional resources are available at www.CollegeForTexans.com.
