Texas A&M University's Financial Aid - Division of Enrollment and Academic Services

Federal Pell Grants are awarded to all eligible undergraduate students who complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

To be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, you must meet all of the following requirements;

• You have not already earned a bachelor’s degree
• You must have a qualifying Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA.
• Recipients must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• Students are limited to receive the equivalent of twelve semesters at full-time enrollment in Pell Grant

Award eligibility varies based on Enrollment Status. For details, please visit the Award Proration information page.

Helpful Links

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Studentaid.gov

The Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) is funded by the State of Texas. It is awarded based on the FAFSA/TASFA applications received. Funding is limited, so not all students who are eligible receive TPEG.

To be awarded TPEG:

• You must have financial need.
• You must be seeking your first bachelor's, graduate, or professional degree.

Award eligibility varies based on Enrollment Status. For details, please visit the Award Proration information page.

Helpful Links

College For All Texans
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)

The Federal TEACH Grant (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Program helps students who plan to teach in high-need fields at the secondary or elementary level.

If you choose to participate in this aid program, you must agree to do all of the following:

• Serve as a full time teacher for 4 years
• Teach a high-need field/subject
  • Bilingual education and English language acquisition
  • Foreign language
  • Mathematics
  • Reading specialist
  • Science
  • Special education
  • Any other field that has been identified as high-need by the federal government, a state government, or a local education agency, and that is included in the annual Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide Listing.
• Serve in a public or private elementary or secondary school
• Teach in a school that serves low-income students

If you fail to meet the requirements listed above, the Federal TEACH Grant funds you received will change into a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. You will have to repay the entire loan with interest.  Interest is charged from the day the money originally paid out.  You may review more information about the requirements on the Federal Student Aid website.

To be eligible

• You must complete the FAFSA.
• You must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• You must be enrolled in a Federal TEACH Grant eligible degree program.
  • What degree programs are eligible?
• You must score above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test (SAT, ACT, or GRE) or maintain a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.25.
• You must complete a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and TEACH Entrance Counseling.

Award eligibility varies based on Enrollment Status. For details, please visit the Award Proration information page.

If you think that you qualify for the Federal TEACH Grant, please send an email to Scholarships & Financial Aid from your TAMU email account and include your UIN (University Identification Number) so that we may review your eligibility.

For more information, please visit the Federal TEACH Grant FAQs.

Additional aid eligibility under the Iraq and Afghanistan Service grant is available to students whose parent or guardian died as a result of U.S. military service in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001.

To be eligible for this additional funding, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Complete the FAFSA and the FAFSA transaction must contain an indicator from the Department of Defense confirming the date of your parent’s death. (This process occurs automatically upon completion of the FAFSA)
• You must not have already earned a bachelor’s degree
• Recipients must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress
• You must have been less than 24 years of age OR enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of your parent’s death.

If eligibility is confirmed, there are two different programs for eligible children of soldiers. Students with a Pell eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will receive an increase in their Federal Pell Grant. Students with an EFC that is not Pell eligible will see the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant posted to their financial aid offer.

Students will be reviewed for this program upon receipt of an eligible FAFSA.

The Toward Excellence, Access & Success (TEXAS) grant was created by the Texas Legislature to provide need-based financial aid to Texas students. Funds for this program are limited and eligibility varies based on Enrollment Status. For details, please visit the Award Proration information page.

Eligibility

To be awarded this grant for the first time, you must:

• Be a Texas resident.
• Register for Selective Service or be exempt from this requirement.
• Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance.
• Have financial need as determined by the FAFSA or TASFA.
• Have NCAA compliance approval to be eligible for this program if you are a student athlete.
• Be seeking your first bachelor's degree.
• Qualify through one of the following four pathways:
  • High School Graduation Pathway:
    • You have graduated from an accredited high school in Texas and complete the Recommended or Foundation Distinguished curriculum. Your final high school transcript must be on file and mailed directly to the Office of Admissions.
    • You have enrolled as an undergraduate at Texas A&M within 16 months after graduation from high school.
    • You must have earned less than 30 credit hours. This does not include hours earned through dual credit, concurrent courses, or credit by examination (AP, IB or CLEP).
  • Associate Degree Pathway:
    • You have enrolled at Texas A&M within 12 months after receiving an associate's degree from a public or private, non-profit Texas college or university.
  • TEOG Transfer Pathway:
    • You have received an Initial Year Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) in Fall 2014 or later.
    • You have transferred to Texas A&M with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
    • You have successfully completed at least 24 credit hours.
  • Honorable Military Discharge Pathway:
    • You enlisted in the military within 12 months after graduation from an accredited high school in Texas on May 1, 2013 or later. 
    • You have enrolled at Texas A&M within 12 months after being honorably discharged from military service.

Renewal Requirements

TEXAS Grant funds are limited by the State of Texas. Renewal TEXAS Grant funds will be awarded on a first come, first served basis with priority given to students who have a complete/valid financial aid application (FAFSA/TASFA) and meet all program renewal requirements.  Recipients are not guaranteed a renewal TEXAS Grant award.

At the end of the first year, you must meet Texas A&M University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements (2.0 GPA and 75% completion) in order to be considered for a second year in the TEXAS Grant program.
 
After the second year of receiving TEXAS Grant, you are required to meet the following requirements:

• Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
• Complete 24 credit hours each academic year (fall, spring and summer). Credits by exam/AP credits do not count toward completion requirements.
• Have not exceeded 150 attempted credits.

If you take credit hours at another college or university during the academic year, you must submit official transcripts to the Texas A&M Office of Admissions and notify our office to request a review.

If you transfer from another college or university where you previously received the TEXAS Grant, you may be eligible to continue receiving it at Texas A&M. Please contact our office to request a review.

If you are awarded under the High School Graduation, Associate's Degree, TEOG, or Honorable Military Discharge Pathway, you lose eligibility for the TEXAS Grant once you have attempted 150 credit hours. "Attempted hours" includes all courses in every semester you registered for, including transferred, repeated, dropped, and withdrawn courses.

Hardships or Other Proper Causes

If you do not meet the renewal requirements due to extenuating circumstances, you may submit an appeal to the TEXAS Grant Program Coordinator to review your eligibility. The request must be submitted in writing and must explain the reason for the request. Reasons that may be considered include:

• A severe illness or other condition that affected academic performance;
• Your academic performance being affected by your responsibility for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person.
• Other circumstances that may have impacted your ability to meet renewal requirements.

The TEXAS Grant Program Coordinator will respond to your request through your Texas A&M email account. Other supporting documentation may be requested. Submitting an appeal does not guarantee any adjustments can or will be made.

For more information, access College For All Texans or call Scholarships & Financial Aid at (979) 845-3236.

FSEOG is available to undergraduate students who have Pell Grant and high financial need. Awarding preference is given to students who are enrolled full-time (12 credit hours). Funding is limited, so not all eligible students receive FSEOG.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• Have a FAFSA on file.
• Be awarded the Federal Pell Grant.
• Be making Satisfactory Academic Progress. (SAP)
• Be enrolled in at least 6 hours.

For more information, please visit the Award Proration and Enrollment Status pages. 

Helpful Links

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Studentaid.gov

The Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) is a program administered by the State of Texas to aid students with financial need, seeking a first bachelor's degree, graduate degree or professional degree. The International Texas Public Education Grant (ITPEG) is available to international students only. The ITPEG is a grant and does not have to be repaid.

Eligibility

• You must be classified as an international student as determined by the Office of the Registrar.
• You must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• You must be enrolled full-time (see Enrollment Status).

Applying

The International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) is open for the 2020-2021 school year. The priority date for the 2020-2021 ISFAA was June 17, 2020. You can find the ISFAA on the Forms page. The 2021-2022 school year application will be available in late January 2021.

Children of Fallen Heroes funding in available to Pell eligible students whose parent or guardian was a public safety officer and died in the line of duty.

To be eligible for Children of Fallen Heroes, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• You must meet eligibility requirements for the Federal Pell Grant.
  • You have not already earned a bachelor’s degree
  • You must have a qualifying Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA.
  • Recipients must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress.
  • Students are limited to receive the equivalent of twelve semesters at full-time enrollment in Pell Grant
• You must have been less than 24 years of age OR enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of your parent’s death.
• You must provide documentation to verify that your parent died in the line of duty as a public safety officer.

If eligibility is confirmed, Children of Fallen Heroes may result in additional financial aid, including an increase in Pell. You will not see the words “Children of Fallen Heroes” on your financial aid offer. Children of Fallen Heroes is funded through a combination of increased Pell and other financial aid, depending on eligibility. In subsequent award years, you will continue to be eligible for Children of Fallen Heroes as long as you continue to be a Pell eligible student.

If you would like to be reviewed for this program, please call Scholarships & Financial Aid at (979) 845-3236 or email financialaid@tamu.edu.

Scholarships can be offered based on academic achievement or financial need. We encourage you to apply with many organizations and scholarship providers. For more information please visit scholarships.tamu.edu. 

The Subsidized Loan is a federal loan that is awarded based on financial need. The federal government will pay the interest on this loan as long as you are enrolled half-time or more. After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you will have a six-month grace period before you are required to begin repaying your loan. During this period, you will receive repayment information from your loan servicer, and you will be notified of your first payment due date.

Eligibility

To receive the Subsidized loan, you must:

• Have financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
• Enroll at least half-time at Texas A&M University.
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• Not exceed annual or lifetime aggregate loan limits.

Award amounts can vary based on other eligibility factors. For more information, please visit the Maintaining Eligibility page.

Interest Rates

The Department of Education announces the interest rates for federal student loans by July 1 of each year. A new loan is awarded each academic year that you are eligible, and the interest rate will stay the same until your loan is repaid. Interest rates could be different each year for new loans. This means you could have more than one Subsidized loan but each one could have a different interest rate.

Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2020 and before July 1, 2021

Subsidized Direct Loans

Interest Rate

2.75%

Origination Fees

On or after October 1, 2019 - 1.059%
On or after October 1, 2020 - 1.057%

Other Important Direct Loan Information and Helpful Links

Want more information on interest rates? Visit the Department of Education’s Interest Rates and Fees webpage.

For more information on Federal student loans, Visit the Department of Education’s Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan webpage.

Visit the repaying your student loans page.

Do you have questions about repaying your student loans? Visit our Money Education Center for information on your student loan repayment options.

The Federal Direct Unsubsidized loan is a federal loan that can be used to help pay college costs. You are responsible for paying the interest on the loan. If you choose not to pay the interest while you are in school, your interest will accrue and be capitalized; this means your interest will be added to the principal amount of your loan.

After you graduate, leave school, or drop below half-time enrollment, you will have a six-month grace period before you are required to begin repaying your loan. During this period, you'll receive repayment information from your loan servicer, and you'll be notified of your first payment due date.

Eligibility

To receive the Unsubsidized Loan, you must:

• Complete the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA).
• Enroll at least half-time at Texas A&M University.
  • View Enrollment Status definitions
• Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• Not exceed annual or lifetime aggregate loan limits.

Award amounts can vary based on other eligibility factors. For more information, please visit the Maintaining Eligibility page.

Interest Rates

The Department of Education announces the interest rates for federal student loans by July 1 of each year. A new loan is awarded each academic year that you are eligible, and the interest rate will stay the same until your loan is repaid. Interest rates could be different each year for new loans. This means you could have more than one Unsubsidized loan but each one could have a different interest rate. 

Unsubsidized Direct Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2020 and before July 1, 2021

Interest Rate
2.75%
Origination Fees
On or after October 1, 2019 - 1.059%
On or after October 1, 2020 - 1.057%

Other Important Direct Loan Information and Helpful Links

Want more information on interest rates? Visit the Department of Education’s Interest Rates and Fees webpage.

For more information on Federal student loans, Visit the Department of Education’s Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loan webpage.
 
Visit the repaying your student loans page.

Do you have questions about repaying your student loans? Visit our Money Education Center for information on your student loan repayment options.

There are yearly and lifetime debt limits for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. The limits include the principal balance on the loan(s) but not interest or other charges incurred.
 
Also, new Direct Subsidized Loans disbursed after July 1, 2013 are limited to a maximum of 150% of the credit hours required for your academic program. Once you receive Subsidized loans for 150% of your program, you will no longer be eligible for Subsidized Loans and would become responsible for all interest accrued on loans.(ex: 6 years for a 4 year degree).
 

Scroll Table Left and Right

Year	Dependent Students	Independent Students (and dependent undergraduate students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)
Freshman	$5,500 - No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$9,500 - No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Sophomore	$6,500 - No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$10,500 - No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Junior/Senior	$7,500 - No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$12,500 - No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
G6 Preparatory and Teacher Certification Students	$5,500 - This whole amount may be in subsidized loans.	$12,500 - No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Subsidized and Unsubsidized Aggregate Loan Limit	$31,000 - No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.	$57,500 for undergraduates - No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

Visit the repaying your student loans page.

If you are a dependent, undergraduate student, your parent may qualify for the Federal Direct Parent Loan (PLUS). Your parent may borrow up to the Cost of Attendance (excluding any other financial aid). All funds are received electronically and are posted to the student's billing account to pay tuition and fees.

Eligibility

In order for your parents to qualify for this loan, you must:

• Complete a FAFSA.
• Be enrolled at least half-time.
• Be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Your parent must:

• Have a good credit history.
• Not have defaulted on any previous student or parent loans.
• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen.

How to Apply

The 2020-2021 Parent PLUS Loan application is currently available on the Federal Student Aid website.

To apply for the PLUS loan, your parent will need to follow these steps:

1. Login to the Federal Student Aid website.

2. Sign in using his or her own FSA ID.

3. Click on "Request Direct PLUS Loan."

4. Select Direct PLUS Loan Application for Parents.

5. Follow all steps of the application and submit.

If approved:

• Complete the Loan Agreement for a PLUS Loan (MPN) through the Federal Student Aid website.
• Texas A&M University will receive your parent’s approved application the next business day.
• The Parent PLUS Loan will be awarded on your Financial Aid Offer Letter within 2 business days.

If denied:

• Your parent has the option of appealing the denial through studentloans.gov and will be provided with information on the appeal process during the application process.
• Your parent also has the option of including an endorser on the loan, which is like a co-signer.
• If your parent’s loan is later approved, Texas A&M University will receive the approved application and award the Parent PLUS Loan upon completion of the required PLUS loan credit counseling.
• If your parent chooses not to appeal or obtain an endorser for the loan, the denial will be sent to Texas A&M University and your student’s account will be reviewed for additional Unsubsidized Loan eligibility.

How to Request an Increase

To increase their current PLUS loan, your parent will need to follow these steps:

1. Login to the Federal Student Aid website.

2. Sign in using FSA ID

3. Click on “Apply for a Direct PLUS Loan”

4. Select Direct PLUS Loan Application for Parents

5. Select award year

6. Start application

7. Under reason for direct plus loan request select “new” for a brand new PLUS loan amount OR select “change” to add to preexisting PLUS loan

8. Choose loan period

9. Submit request

Once submitted, the request will be processed within 2-3 business days.

Please note, your parent’s credit check from their original PLUS loan is valid for 180 days. If your parent submits their increase request within this period, their credit will NOT be pulled again. However, if this period has passed and your parent submits a new PLUS application or increase request, their credit will automatically be pulled again.

Interest Rate

The Department of Education announces the interest rates for federal PLUS loans by July 1 of each year. Interest rates could be different each year for any new loans. The interest rate is fixed for the life of the loan.

Parent PLUS Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2020 and before July 1, 2021

Interest Rate

5.30%

Origination Fees

On or after October 1, 2019 - 4.236%
On or after October 1, 2020 – 4.228%

Repayment

As a parent borrower, you will generally be expected to start making payments on your Direct PLUS Loan once your loan is fully disbursed (paid out). However, you may request to have payments deferred while your student is enrolled at least half-time and for an additional six months after your student graduates, leaves school, or drops below half-time enrollment. You do not have to make any payments while your loan is deferred. You will have the option of requesting a deferment as part of the loan request process. You can also contact your servicer to request a deferment.

For more information on the PLUS loan, please visit the Federal Student Aid website.
 

The 2019-2020 academic year is the final award year for the BOT Loan Program; initial and renewal awards are no longer issued.

The Texas B-On-Time Loan is a no-interest loan for eligible Texas students. This loan carries the added benefit that, if the borrower meets specified goals, the entire loan amount can be forgiven upon graduation. This loan is funded by the State of Texas, with repayment made to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Hinson Hazelwood program.

Award eligibility varies based on Enrollment Status. For details, please visit the Award Proration information page.

Forgiveness

For information about Texas B-On-Time loan forgiveness requirements, please visit hhloans.com.

Forgiven Texas B-On-Time loans must be reported to the IRS as taxable income in the applicable tax year the loan is deemed to be forgiven.

For more information regarding the repayment of the B-On-Time loan, please visit the repaying your student loans page.

Short-term loans are available to assist students who experience financial difficulty. Short-term loans cannot be used to pay tuition and required fees, but can be used for optional fees and these other expenses. The application for Short-term loans is available online at sfaid.tamu.edu/stlapp.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• Be enrolled at least half-time.
  • Undergraduate Students – 6 hours
  • Blinn Team Students – 3 hours
• Have a minimum GPA of 1.5.

Interest Rate & Processing

• 8%* simple interest per annum.
• A $10 processing fee is charged on each loan. This charge will be added to the amount of the loan requested.

* If the loan is not paid by the due date, additional late charges of 0.5% per month will accrue on the unpaid principal balance until paid in full.

Receiving Funds

Once approved for a loan, you will need to sign a promissory note to complete the application process. Instructions will be sent to your official Texas A&M University email. There is a three-business day Right to Cancel Period that begins after you sign your promissory note. After this, it will take an additional 3-5 business days before you see the money direct deposited into your bank account on file. You may set up direct deposit on the My Finances Tab in the Howdy Portal.

Repayment

This loan must be repaid with interest within the repayment period set for your loan. You select the length of your repayment period on your loan application; this period can be anywhere between one and twelve months long.  If the loan is not paid in full by the due date, both transcripts and registration will be blocked until the loan is paid in full. Past due loans are subject to collection fees, attorney fees, higher interest rates, as well as negative credit reports to national credit bureaus.

Information on where to repay your loan will be included on your promissory note.
 
You may contact Student Business Services via phone at 979-847-3337 for questions about your Short-Term Loan repayment.
 
For more information, view Short-term Loans FAQs.
For more information, visit the repaying your student loans page.

The Emergency Tuition and Fees Loan (ETFL) is available to help you pay your Texas A&M University tuition and required fees. This loan will be applied directly to your tuition and fee account. Apply online at sfaid.tamu.edu/stlapp.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible, you must:

• Be enrolled in at least 1 hour at Texas A&M University.
• Have an active Texas A&M University student email account.
• Be clear of all financial holds with Texas A&M University.
• Have a minimum GPA of 1.5.

Interest Rate & Processing

• 5% simple interest rate
• A $10 processing fee is charged on each loan. This charge will be added to the amount of the loan.

Once approved for a loan, you will be instructed via email to sign a promissory note before funds can be released. Instructions will be sent to your official Texas A&M University email. If you have signed a Master Promissory Note for an ETFL before, you do not have to sign another one for a new loan.

Receiving Funds

This loan will be applied directly to your tuition and fees account after the Master Promissory Note has been signed and submitted to Scholarships & Financial Aid.

Repayment

Repayment terms are fixed for the semester in which you request the loan. All payments will be due on the 15th day of the month.

• Fall/Spring loans are due about 90 days after the loan is applied to your student billing account.
• Summer loans are due about 30 days after the loan is applied to your student billing account.

Depending on timing, your financial aid refund may be applied toward your ETFL, but this is not always the case. It is your responsibility to use any refunds issued to you to repay your ETFL and make sure that your ETFL is repaid by the loan due date.

If the loan is not paid in full by the due date, both transcripts and registration will be blocked until the account balance is paid in full. You may contact Student Business Services via telephone at 979-847-3337 for questions about your Emergency Tuition and Fees Loan repayment.

For more information, please visit Emergency Tuition & Fees Loan FAQs.
For information, visit the repaying your student loans page.

View more information on Alternative Loans

As part of the Aggie ACHIEVE program you may be eligible to receive the following types of financial aid. You may review the eligibility requirements for each fund at the provided links.

Financial Aid

• Federal Pell Grant – Eligibility for this grant is based on your Expected Family Contribution calculated on the FAFSA. Pell will be automatically awarded to you if you meet the eligibility requirements.
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant – You must be eligible for Pell in order to receive this grant. Funding is limited, so not all eligible students receive FSEOG. If you are eligible and funding is available, you will be automatically awarded.
• Alternative/Private loans – These are loans taken out through private banks. Each loan has a separate application process and eligibility requirements. You may search ELMSelect for more information on available loans.
• Federal Work Study – This program may provide funds for students with financial need through Work Study employment opportunities. If you are interested in being reviewed for Work Study eligibility, please contact our office.

 Scholarships

• Texas A&M Scholarship Opportunities – A list of scholarships available through Texas A&M University, specifically earmarked for students with a disability.
  • Please apply for these scholarships by completing the University Scholarship Application.
• Outside Scholarship Search Engines – Various search engines are available to locate outside scholarship opportunities.

Veterans Services – Aggie ACHIEVE students who are veterans or dependents of veterans may be eligible to receive federal and state veteran benefits. Please visit our Veterans Services website for eligibility requirements and the application process.
 
Disability Resources – Additional opportunities for financial assistance maybe found through Disability Resources.