1. Commitment to Access and Affordability
Texas A&M University aims to make college accessible to qualified students regardless of income by maximizing grant and scholarship opportunities for students with high financial need.
- Aggie Assurance: Pledges to cover tuition and required fees for eligible students from qualifying income levels through a combination of federal, state, and institutional grants.
- Priority for grants and scholarships is given to Pell Grant-eligible and low-income students.
2. Maximum Utilization of Federal, State, and Institutional Aid
Financial aid packages layer different aid types, in this order (as available):
- Federal Grants (Pell, SEOG)
- State Grants/Scholarships (TEXAS Grant, Texas Public Education Grant)
- Institutional Grants/Scholarships
- External Scholarships
After receiving gift aid, self-help aid (such as federal work-study and federal student loans) is packaged to meet the remaining cost.
3. Equitable Distribution
Aid is awarded equitably and consistently:
- Priority is given to students with the greatest financial need, based on the financial aid application.
- Packaging guidelines follow federal regulations and state rules (with institution-specific nuances for eligibility).
4. Need-Based vs. Merit-Based Aid
- Need-Based Aid makes up the core of packages for eligible students.
- Merit Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, often in addition to need-based aid.
5. Cost of Attendance (COA) and Student Aid Index (SAI)
Texas A&M calculates COA and subtracts the SAI to determine financial need for each student.
- Each student’s award cannot exceed their COA.
- Total need-based aid must stay within the calculated need.
6. Loans and Packaging Order
- Loans are packaged last (after eligibility for all other aid is exhausted).
- Students are encouraged to use grants/scholarships and minimize borrowing.
7. Reevaluation and Appeals
- Students with special circumstances may request re-evaluation or professional judgment from the financial aid office.
- Appeals for additional funding are considered within available resources.
Additional Points
- Deadlines matter: Priority consideration is given to students who submit FAFSA/TASFA by January 15th.
- State residency and academic progress rules affect eligibility for aid types.
- Summer aid is packaged separately.