All first time freshmen are sent a financial aid offer letter via U.S. mail to the permanent address we have on file. In subsequent academic years, financial aid offer letters will be sent through electronic notification via the student’s Texas A&M University email account if the student has agreed to conduct business electronically with Scholarships & Financial Aid. All other first time students will receive financial aid offer letters through electronic notification via the student’s Texas A&M University email account.

The financial aid offer will include all eligible financial aid awards, as long as funds are available. State aid programs are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and funding is limited.
 

1. Read the financial aid offer letter carefully before accepting or rejecting individual awards.
2. Review the estimated cost of attendance to assist in planning for how much aid you will need.
3. Review Types of Aid and Maintaining Eligibility to understand other factors that may affect your financial aid.
4. To view and process your aid go to howdy.tamu.edu and login using your Texas A&M Net ID.  Access the Financial Aid Portal through the Scholarships & Financial Aid channel on the My Finances tab. On the Awards page, click on Begin Processing to reduce, accept, or decline each award.

Financial aid funds are credited directly to the student’s billing account. Any excess funds remaining after the student’s bill is paid will be issued by Student Business Services (SBS) as a refund. Aid is disbursed 10 days prior to the first day of class allowing time for a refund to be generated so that students may purchase books. Students may seek assistance from our office if they have any issues in regards to refunds not being available for purchase of books.

Please be aware that you must have a final high school transcript on file by the end of your entering semester in order for financial aid funds to be released to you the following semester. You may send your official final high school transcript to:

Office of Admissions
Texas A&M University
P.O. Box 40003
College Station, TX 77842-4003.

Official transcripts must have:

• an original signature of a school official or an original school seal,
• graduation date
• graduation plan (if applicable) and
• grades/credits for all high school courses completed

Texas A&M University’s Office of Admissions will accept transcripts sent electronically through TREx only. Faxed high school transcripts are considered unofficial.

These dates represent the first day disbursements can be made for each semester. Aid is disbursed no sooner than ten days prior to the first day of class each semester, provided you have completed all eligibility requirements. If your aid is not disbursed, please logon to howdy.tamu.edu, click on the My Finances tab and enter the Financial Aid Portal. Check your Status page for any missing requirements.

Undergraduates - College Station and Galveston

Fall 2016 - Spring 2017
All Year (8/29/2016 - 5/9/2017)
1st Disbursement	8/20/2016
2nd Disbursement	1/7/2017
Fall Only (8/29/2016 - 12/14/2016)
Disbursement	8/20/2016
Spring Only (1/17/2017 - 5/9/2017)
Disbursement	1/7/2017

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Nursing

Fall 2016 - Spring 2017
All Year (8/29/2016 - 5/9/2017)
1st Disbursement	8/20/2016
2nd Disbursement	1/7/2017
Fall Only (8/29/2016 - 12/14/2016)
Disbursement	8/20/2016
Spring Only (1/17/2017 - 5/9/2017)
Disbursement	1/7/2017
Summer Only (5/30/2017 - 8/9/2017)
Disbursement	5/20/2017

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Dental Hygiene

Fall 2016 - Spring 2017
All Year (8/15/2016 - 7/14/2017)
1st Disbursement	8/5/2016
2nd Disbursement	1/4/2017
3rd Disbursement	5/26/2017

Reminder: You must be enrolled at least half time to be eligible for the majority of aid programs. Always check your billing statement to see if your financial aid has applied to your student billing account.

A loan is financial assistance that enables students and parents to borrow money from the federal government, state government or private lenders. These loans must be repaid. Each student receiving a Subsidized or Unsubsidized Direct Loan or Perkins Loan for the first time at Texas A&M University must also complete Loan Entrance Counseling.

Master Promissory Note

Borrowers are responsible for signing a Master Promissory Note (MPN) for each loan program. When signed, the MPN is a binding, legal document through which the borrower agrees to repay the loan. The MPN should be read carefully and a copy retained for the borrower’s records. Direct Loan MPNs must be completed online by the borrower at studentloans.gov. If you are awarded and have accepted a Perkins Loan, the MPN must be printed from your Financial Aid Portal. Please complete this paper form and mail or drop off in person to Scholarships & Financial Aid.

Entrance Counseling

Please visit the Howdy Portal. Then click the My Finances tab and enter the Financial Aid Portal. Select the current academic year. Once you have accepted a Direct Loan there will be a link for Loan Entrance Counseling under the Status page. Follow the instructions to complete Loan Entrance Counseling at studentloans.gov. Once you have accepted a Perkins Loan there will be a link for Perkins Entrance Counseling under the Status page. Follow the instructions to complete Perkins Entrance Counseling through the Financial Aid Portal.

Exit Counseling

Upon withdrawing, graduating, dropping below half-time, or simply not returning, you will be sent information regarding Loan Exit Counseling if you have received any of the following:

• Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized or Unsubsidized)
• Federal Direct PLUS Loans
• Perkins Loans

If you have received the Federal TEACH Grant, you will be sent Exit Counseling information if you withdraw, graduate, or change into an ineligible TEACH Grant major. 

Online exit counseling for Federal Loans and the TEACH Grant can be completed at studentloans.gov. Student Business Services will provide exit counseling information and instructions for the Perkins Loan.