Pell Grant in Texas – Overview
Texas serves as home to over 29 million people, and most of them have ample funds to live their lives. Still, some people don’t have the funds to educate their children, especially those from low-income families.
Low-income families have limited funds, so they cannot educate their children. Everyone needs education, whether you live in Texas or anywhere else. So, what’s the solution?
Low-income Texans can take the help of a Pell grant, an educational grant available for students who don’t have funds for their further studies.
Pell grant was introduced in 1972 and was known as a Basic Educational Opportunity Grant and got renamed Pell Grant in 1980 in honor of US Senator Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island.
The Federal Pell Grant program is available for all US residents and even for Non-US residents (under certain conditions). The United States Department of Education takes care of this program.
Pell Grant in Texas
Who is eligible for Pell Grant in Texas?
A Pell grant is available for students coming from low-income families who don’t have funds for their education.
However, belonging to a low-income group means you will get it. You have to apply for it. You can fill out your application for a Pell Grant at studentaid.gov.
The United States Department of Education uses a standard formula (created by the US government) to evaluate whether you qualify for this grant.
This formula uses the information you submitted in your application for a Pell grant. It produces a number called the Expected Family Contribution, which determines the applicant’s eligibility.
Eligibility Requirements for a Pell Grant
- One must be a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen (usually, a permanent resident)
- Have not earned a Bachelor’s degree
- Must have a high school diploma
In addition to these requirements, applicants must sign a statement that certifies they will use the aid only for education.
How Much Money Do You Get Under a Federal Pell Grant?
The amount under a Federal Pell Grant changes each year, and for 2022-23, the maximum amount one can get is $6,895.
However, it does not mean that you will get $6,895. The amount you will get depends on your Expected Family Contribution, the cost of attendance, your educational status as a full-time or part-time student, and your plans to follow school for a full educational year or less.
Not every applicant is lucky to receive a Federal Pell Grant, even if you have fulfilled the eligibility conditions. However, there is no need to worry as there are other grants to apply for and complete your higher studies. Let’s talk about those grants.
Pell Grant Texas – List of Grants
1. Bobcat Promise
Bobcat Promise is an educational grant program to help students coming from low-income families complete their dream of higher studies. The program’s main objective is to increase access to higher education.
Texas State University is responsible for the Bobcat Promise program. Under this program, students are provided with free tuition and mandatory fees for 15 credit hours per semester. However, only those students eligible whose family gross income does not exceed $50,000.
The Bobcat Promise program provides a sum equivalent to the tuition and fees listed in the Texas resident cost of attendance. Remember no grant amount will exceed an applicant’s demonstrated need.
Knowing about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is compulsory before March 15 each year. The Bobcat Promise program’s benefits are available for eight semesters or four years.
It will provide you with the cost of 15 credit hours of tuition and fees, and the maximum amount one can get for an academic year is $11,860.
For more information, visit finaid.txstate.edu.
2. Excellence, Access, and Success Grant Program (TEXAS Grant)
The Toward Excellence, Access, and Success Grant (TEXAS) is an educational grant program that provides aid to students with financial needs who want to attend a Texas public university or health-related institution.
Eligibility Requirements for a TEXAS grant:
- You must be a Texas resident
- Be registered with Selected Service, or be exempt
- You have enrolled for at least 3/4 time
- Not have earned a bachelor’s degree
- Have a financial need, as determined by the institution
- Not have been convicted of a crime
A student can get up to $5,379 per semester; however, it does not mean that each student who applies for this grant successfully gets it. The funding is limited, so students with the utmost financial need are given priority.
3. Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)
The Texas Educational Opportunity Grant program is to help students with financial needs who have enrolled in a Texas public two-year college.
Eligibility Requirements for TEOG
- You must be a Texas resident
- Must be registered with Selective Service or are exempted
- You have enrolled at least half-time as an undergraduate student at an eligible 2-year institution
- Have a financial need, as determined by the institution
- Not have achieved an associate’s or bachelor’s degree
- Not have completed more than 30 semester credit hours
- You have not been sentenced to a crime
Eligible Institutions for TEOG Grant
- Community Colleges
- Public State Colleges
- Public Technical Institutes
A Pell grant is in great demand, and the granting authority receives many applications. The granting authority awards this grant to many applicants; some are left out. Those left-out students can apply for other grants to complete their higher education.
Bottom Line:
A Pell Grant in Texas can help you if you come from a low-income family and have no money to complete a bachelor’s degree. You will find detailed information about the Pell grant in this post.
Moreover, there are other grant options that you can apply for, and we have provided complete details about those grant options. Don’t miss reading this post.
See Also
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