Grants

Graduation from an accredited public or private high school in Texas (homeschool graduates are not eligible) and enroll at an approved institution prior to the end of the 16th month after high school graduation. The student must not have attempted more than 30 semester credit hours (excluding credits for dual enrollment or by examination).

Enrollment in an eligible institution prior to the end of the 12th month after the calendar month in which the student earned an associate degree from a public or private nonprofit Texas institution of higher education.

Completion of at least 24 semester credit hours with a minimum of 2.5 GPA after receiving a Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) in Fall 2014 or later and transferring to an eligible institution with a minimum 2.5 GPA.

Enrollment in an eligible institution of higher education within 12 months after being honorably discharged from military service. Enlistment in the military must have occurred within 12 months after graduation from an accredited public or private high school on May 1, 2013 or later. The student must not have attempted more than 30 semester credit hours (excluding credits for dual enroll or by examination).

(TAC, Section 22.226 and Section 22.228)

(TAC, Section 22.230)

A student is not eligible to receive a TEXAS Grant award if convicted of a felony or an offense under the law in any jurisdiction involving a controlled substance as defined in Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act). Institutions should consult with their internal legal counsel concerning individual student situations.

To comply with this requirement, institutions are required to collect a statement (electronic or paper) from each TEXAS grant recipient certifying that they have no such conviction. Institutions have the flexibility to determine the wording of the statement and the frequency with which it is collected. This statement must be retained with the student’s records at the institution and be made available if requested in the course of a program review or audit.

A person with a controlled substance conviction or offense can be considered for an award if they have one of the following:

A certificate of discharge by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a correctional facility.

Completed a period of probation ordered by a court, and at least two years have elapsed from the date of the receipt or completion.

Been pardoned and had the record of the offense expunged from the person’s record.

(TAC, Section 22.230)

Unless granted a hardship, a student’s eligibility ends if any of the following maximums have been met:

*Eligibility ends for all recipients once a baccalaureate degree has been obtained.

**Attempted hours is defined as every course in every semester for which a student has been registered as of the official census date. This includes but is not limited to repeated courses, courses the student drops or those that the student withdraws from. For transfer students, the 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 (See TAC, Section 22.230).

(TAC, Section 22.231)

The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships follows the Hardship Provisions for Texas Grant eligibility in cases where a student loses eligibility. A student who is ineligible for a TEXAS Grant award based on the general requirements may be deemed eligible under a hardship provision. There are limitations on which eligibility requirements can be granted a hardship. Each institution must adopt a hardship policy and have the policy available for public review. All hardship decisions must be documented in the student’s record and be available for submission to the THECB, if requested.

No student enrolled for fewer than six hours may receive a TEXAS Grant. However, in the event of a hardship or for other good cause, East Texas A&M may allow an otherwise eligible person to receive a TEXAS Grant while enrolled for an equivalent of six to nine semester credit hours or if the student’s grade point average or completion rate or number of completed hours falls below the satisfactory academic progress requirements of §22.229 of this title (relating to Satisfactory Academic Progress).

Hardship conditions are not limited to, but include the circumstances listed.

• A showing of a severe illness or other debilitating condition that may affect the student’s academic performance.
• An indication that the student is responsible for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person and that the student’s provision of care may affect his or her academic performance.
• In instances where the student has fewer than 9 credit hours to complete their degree plan.
• In instances where the student and/or the student’s family have suffered a hardship that would now make the student rank as one of the institutions neediest.
• In instances where the student has received the first award after more than 16 months since the high school graduation.

The student will need to provide a written request and supporting documentation of the circumstances which resulted in the loss of eligibility. In cases where the loss of eligibility is associated with the student needing additional credit hours to complete the degree, the student, in consultation with their academic advisor, will complete and submit the Excessive Hours form. IMPORTANT NOTE: Students enrolled less than 6 semester credit hours cannot be considered for hardship and are not eligible for a TEXAS Grant award. While a hardship may be granted to allow an award in excess of 150 attempted semester credit hours, the total number of hours paid for with TEXAS Grant funds may not exceed 150 or 90 semester credit hours.