Types of Financial Aid

Federal Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's degree and who possess financial need as determined by the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All students meeting eligibility requirements are offered the Federal Pell Grant.

The Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) is a program administered by the State of Texas to provide assistance to students with financial need and seeking a first bachelor's degree. This is a grant, and it does not have to be repaid. This grant does not require a separate application. It is awarded through the standard process based on the FAFSA/TAFSA applications received.

The Resident Undergraduate Designated Tuition (RUDT) is a program administered by the State of Texas to provide assistance to students with financial need and seeking a first bachelor's degree. This is a grant, and does not have to be repaid. This grant does not require a separate application. It is awarded through the standard process based on the FAFSA/TAFSA.

The Toward Excellence, Access & Success (TEXAS) grant was established in 1999 by the Texas Legislature to provide need-based financial assistance to Texas students. This program is subject to funding availability from the state of Texas. Award eligibility varies based on Enrollment Status.

Renewal Requirements (different from other grants listed)

At the end of the first year, you must meet West Texas A&M University Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements (2.0 GPA and 67% completion) in order to be considered for a second year in the TEXAS Grant program. After completing the second year in the program, you are required to meet the following conditions at the end of every spring term:

• Be enrolled at least three-quarter time as an undergraduate student who previously received a TEXAS Grant award and has not yet been granted a baccalaureate degree

• Have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance

• Have a calculated financial need

• Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP): Cumulative GPA of at least 2.50 with a 67% completion rate

• You must complete 24 semester credit hours each academic fall, spring and summer, however, credits by exam/AP credits do not count toward completion.

Student eligibility for a TEXAS Grant ends once he or she has attempted 150 semester credit hours or the equivalent unless the student is granted a hardship extension. For this purpose, "attempted hours" is defined as every course in every semester for which a student has been registered as of the official Census Date, including but not limited to, repeated courses and course the student drops and from which the student withdraws. For transfer students, transfer hours and hours for optional internship and cooperative education courses are included if they are accepted by the receiving institution towards the student's current program of study.

If you do not meet the aforementioned requirements, you will lose eligibility for the program but you may regain eligibility once eligibility requirements have been met again.

A Direct Subsidized Loan is a federal student loan where a borrower isn’t generally responsible for paying interest while in an in-school, grace, or deferment period.

An unsubsidized loan through the Direct Loan Program offers students a low, fixed interest rate and flexible repayment terms. It is not based on financial need.

The Federal Direct PLUS Loan is designed for parents of undergraduate dependent students to borrow funds in the parent’s name on the student’s behalf to assist with their college student’s educational expenses. All parents may apply for a PLUS Loan as eligibility is not based on financial need. However, creditworthiness is used in determining eligibility. The parent borrower’s credit bureau report will be reviewed and must meet the lender’s established borrowing guidelines. A borrower cannot have an adverse credit history. Repayment of principle and interest begins 60 days after the PLUS loan is fully disbursed. If a parent borrower is declined then the student may be awarded up to $2000 in additional unsubsidized student loans per semester.