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The Texas Legislature recently approved HB 713,
establishing the "Toward EXcellence, Access, & Success (TEXAS)" Grant
Program. This program establishes grants to cover tuition and fees
to Texas public and independent colleges and universities, including community
colleges and technical schools for students with financial need who have
successfully completed the advanced, advanced with honors, recommended,
or distinguished achievement high school graduation programs. Students
who graduated in 1999 or later are eligible for an award through this
program. Program Purpose
The purpose of the 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 are making progress towards
their degrees. Because funding for awards to new students is limited,
many students who meet the eligibility requirements will not be able
to receive awards in 2003-2004 and in 2004-2005.
Who can compete for an award?
A student who:
- is a Texas resident;
- has financial need and an expected family contribution (EFC) of no
more than $8,500;
- has applied for any available financial aid or assistance;
- has not been previously granted a baccalaureate degree;
-
enrolls at least ¾ time in an undergraduate degree or certificate
program at a Texas non-profit college or university;
- has not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving a controlled
substance;
- graduated from an accredited high school in Texas no earlier than the
1998-1999 school year;
- completed the recommended or distinguished achievement high school
curriculum or its equivalent; and
- enrolls in an eligible Texas college or university within 16 months
of high school graduation.
Please note that funding in this program is limited. Though you may
meet eligibility requirements, your financial aid package may not include
this Grant if funds are not available at your college.
When should students apply?
Funding in this program is limited, thus
students should apply as early as possible. Deadlines vary by institution,
but fall and spring grants
are generally awarded in the spring prior to enrollment.
How much can a student receive through the program?
The award amount depends on the tuition and fees to be paid by the
student. In general, it is an amount equal to the student's tuition
and required fees at public institutions. (For 2003-2004, the award
is approximately: $1,570
per semester for public university students; $635 per semester for
community college students; and $930 per semester for technical college
students, based on enrollment of 12 hours per semester.) Private institution
awards are based on the public university amount.
Is this a one-time award?
No. Students who qualify on the basis of their high school curriculum
and who continue to meet program academic standards in college can
receive awards for up to 150 credit hours or for six years or until
they receive
their
bachelor's degree, whichever occurs first. In the first year of college,
the academic standards are set by the institution. In subsequent
years, the requirements are completion of at least 75 percent of
the hours
taken in the prior year, plus an overall college
GPA of
at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
How do students apply?
Awards will be made by the financial aid
office at the student's college or university. Persons interested in
the program should contact
the financial aid office at the student's college or university to find
out about deadlines and additional procedures. [ top
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