Grants
Grants are awarded based on financial need by the Federal Government or State of Texas. This form of financial aid does not require repayment. To be considered for a grant, complete the Free Application for Federal Students Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). If you are unsure which to use, learn when to use each application.
Federal Pell Grant
Undergraduate students who have not already earned a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate financial need on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
Eligibility Requirements
- Pursuing first bachelor’s degree
- Have a Qualifying Student Aid Index (SAI) as determined by the FAFSA
- Meet requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students can receive assistance for up to 12 semester hours. Total award received will vary based on enrollment status.
Enrollment Intensity
Enrollment intensity is a percentage that represents how many hours you are taking compared to a full-time course load. Your Pell Grant award will now be calculated based on this enrollment intensity percentage, rather than the prior enrollment level categories.
Please keep in mind, the chart below is only for the Federal Pell Grant, other aid, such as Texas Grant, will still use the prior system of Enrollment Level to award (Full-time, 3/4 Time, 1/2 Time, etc.) See chart below:
| Credit hours enrolled | enrollment level (old) | enrollment intensity (new) – % of Pell |
|---|---|---|
| 12 or more | Full Time | 100% |
| 11 | 3/4 Time | 92% |
| 10 | 3/4 Time | 83% |
| 9 | 3/4 Time | 75% |
| 8 | 1/2 Time | 67% |
| 7 | 1/2 Time | 58% |
| 6 | 1/2 Time | 50% |
| 5 | Less Than 1/2 Time | 42% |
| 4 | Less Than 1/2 Time | 33% |
| 3 | Less Than 1/2 Time | 25% |
| 2 | Less Than 1/2 Time | 17% |
| 1 | Less Than 1/2 Time | 8% |
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Undergraduate students who have not already earned a bachelor’s degree and demonstrate financial need on the FAFSA are eligible for the FSEOG Grant.
Eligibility Requirements
- Receive a Pell Grant
- Meet requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Be enrolled at least half-time (6 hours), preference is given to full-time students (12 hours)
At Tarleton State University, students with zero expected family contributions (EFC) receive priority consideration for FSEOG. Total award received will vary based on enrollment status.
TEACH Grant (For Future Teachers)
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 per year in grants for graduate and undergraduate students who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at low income secondary or elementary school(s).
To be considered for a TEACH grant, you must be formally admitted to one of the following TEACH Grant eligible programs of study at Tarleton State University:
Undergraduate:
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary Teacher Education
- Bachelor of Science in Secondary Teacher Education
Graduate:
- Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction
TEACH Grant Awards
| Award Year | Impacted Awards | Statutory Maximum Scheduled Award Amount | Percentage Reduction from Statutory Award Amount | Dollar Reduction Amount from Maximum Award Amount | Adjusted Maximum Award Amount |
| 2024-2025 | First disbursed on or after October 1, 2020, and before October 1, 2025 (FY25 Sequester) | $4,000 | 5.70% | $228.00 | $3,772.00 |
Eligibility Requirements
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), although you do not have to demonstrate financial need you must meet Federal Aid criteria
- Score above the 75th percentile on a college admission test (eg. SAT, ACT, GRE)
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 from your most recent completed semester
- Be a citizen or eligible non-citizen
- Not in default on a Federal Student Loan
- Meet requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress
- You must be enrolled in a TEACH Grant eligible degree program (as determined by Tarleton State University)
Award eligibility varies based on Enrollment Status.
Apply for the TEACH Grant
Please complete the Teach Grant Application form and return it to us in-person, by email to the Office of Financial Aid, or fax at 254-968-9600.
After You’ve Been Selected
In order to receive a TEACH Grant, you must work in a high-need subject area at a school serving low-income students for at least four of the eight years after completing or ceasing your program of study. When you begin teaching, the school must be listed on the Department of Education’s Annual Directory of Designated Low-Income Schools. Use the search tool to identify school names or browse by county.
- Complete TEACH Grant Counseling
- Complete and sign the Agreement to Serve or Repay
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 every semester
To Meet the Agreement After Graduation
- Your school must be listed on the Department of Education’s website at the time you begin teaching
- Your Teacher Education Program must have been designated as high-need by the Department of Education when you received your first Teach Grant
If you fail to complete the 4-year teaching obligation within 8 years of completing or ceasing your program or study, your grant will convert to an unsubsidized loan which will have to be repaid with interest accrued from the date the grant funds were first disbursed.
Toward Excellence, Access and Success (TEXAS) Grant
The TEXAS Grant is gift aid awarded to students who demonstrate financial need.
First-time Eligibility Requirements
To receive a basic initial year (IY) award through the TEXAS Grant Program, a student must:
- Be Pursuing their first bachelor’s degree
- Be registered with Selective Service, or be exempt
- Have a 9-month Student Aid Index (SAI) of no more than $6,472 (2024-2025)
- Be classified by the institution as a Texas Resident
- Have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance
The student must meet the requirements of one of the four pathways below:
High School Graduation
- Graduated from an accredited public or private high school in Texas, having completed the Recommended or Foundation Distinguished Curriculum
- Enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at an approved institution within 16 months of high school graduation
- Accumulated less than 30 semester credit hours (SCH’s) (excluding credits for dual enrollment or credit by examination)
- Homeschooled students do not qualify
Associate Degree
- Earned an associate degree from a public or private nonprofit institution of higher education in Texas
- Enrolled in an eligible institution within 12 months after receiving an associate degree
TEOG Transfer
- Received an initial year (IY) Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) in Fall 2014 or later
- Have transferred with a minimum GPA of 2.5, with at least 24 semester credit hours
Honorable Military Discharge
- Enrollment in an eligible institution of higher education no later than 12 months after being released from active duty military service with an Honorable Discharge, General Discharge under Honorable Conditions, or Honorable Separation or Release from Active Duty, as documented by a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD214) issued by the Department of Defense.
- Enlistment in the military must have occurred within 12 months after graduation from an accredited public or private high school in Texas.
- The student must not have attempted more than 30 semester credit hours (SCHs), excluding credits for dual enrollment or by examination.
To receive priority consideration for an initial year (IY) award through the TEXAS Grant Program, a student must:
- Meet the basic initial year (IY) student eligibility requirements (see section above)
- Meet at least one of the requirements in at least 2 of the following 4 areas:
| Area | Requirements |
| Advanced Academic Program | 12 hours of college credit (dual credit or AP courses), complete the Recommended or Advanced High School Program, or complete the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) |
| TSI Readiness | Meet the Texas Success Initiatives (TSI) assessment thresholds or qualify for an exemption |
| Class Standing | Graduate in the top third of the HS graduating class or graduate with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale or the equivalent |
| Advanced Math | Complete at least one math course beyond Algebra II as determined by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) or complete at least one advanced career and technical course or technical applications course, as determined by TEA |
Renewal
At the end of the first year, you must meet Tarleton State University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements (2.0 GPA and 67% completion) and demonstrate financial need in order to remain eligible for the TEXAS Grant. After your second year, the following eligibility requirements apply:
- Maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Complete 24 credit hours each academic year (fall, spring and summer). Credits by exam do not count as completed courses
- Have not exceeded 150 attempted credits
Maximum Time to Receive the Grant
Each recipient’s maximum time frame will be monitored to ensure compliance as outlined below:
| RECIPIENT ENTERING THE PROGRAM | Maximum Time Frame to Receive the Grant |
|---|---|
| High School Graduate | The first of the following takes place: 5 years from the start of the semester in which the student received the first award if, in a degree plan of 4 years or less, 6 years from the start of the semester in which the student received the first award if in a degree plan of more than 4 years, 150 SCH attempted while receiving the grant Completion of a baccalaureate degree |
| Associate Degree | The first of the following takes place: 3 years from the start of the semester in which the student received the first award if in a degree plan of 4 years or less, 4 years from the start of the semester in which the student received the first award if, in a degree plan of more than 4 years, 90 SCH attempted while receiving the grant, Completion of a baccalaureate degree |
| Transfer Student | The first of the following takes place: 5 years from the start of the semester in which the student received the first award if, in a degree plan of 4 years or less, 6 years from the start of the semester in which the student received the first award if, in a degree plan of more than 4 years, 150 SCH attempted while receiving the grant Completion of a baccalaureate degree |
Beginning with awards for the 2015-2016 academic year, a student’s eligibility for TEXAS Grant ends once he or she has attempted 150 SCH’s. Attempted hours include all courses in every semester you registered for, including transferred, repeated, dropped, and withdrawn courses.
Hardships or Other Proper Causes
Appeal Process
If you have become ineligible to receive a TEXAS Grant Renewal due to you not meeting the TEXAS Grant Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements, you can file an appeal.
The appeal must demonstrate a true hardship that you experienced during the period of poor academic performance. Examples of hardships include, but are not limited to, a severe illness or responsibility for the care of a sick, injured or needy person. You may also submit an appeal if you cannot enroll full-time due to a required student teaching, internship program, or it is your graduating semester.
To appeal, you must submit the Texas Grant Appeal Request Form and a letter of explanation, as well as documentation of your hardship, to the Financial Aid Office.
Appeal Deadlines
An appeal must be filed by the appropriate deadline in order to be considered for the fall and spring semesters. The deadline for each semester is listed on the Texas Grant Appeal Request form.
Submitting an appeal does not guarantee any adjustments will be made.
Texas Public Assistance Grant (TPEG)
Texas Public Assistance Grant is a need-based grant supported by the state of Texas. Funding is limited, not all students that are eligible will receive TPEG.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a Texas resident
- Seeking their first bachelor’s or graduate degree
- Demonstrate need
Award eligibility varies based on as a student’s Enrollment Status.
Tarleton Tuition Grant
Tarleton State University provides a Tarleton Tuition Grant to assist undergraduate students with funding of tuition and fees associated with attendance. Funding is limited, not all students that are eligible will receive Tarleton Tuition Grant.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a Texas resident
- Demonstrate need
Award eligibility varies based on as a student’s Enrollment Status.
Special Rule for Pell Grants
Effective with the 2024-25 award year, as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act, the Special Rule for Pell Grants replaces the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant (IASG) and the Children of Fallen Heroes (CFH) Scholarship with new or modified eligibility criteria for an undergraduate student who is less than 33 years old as of the first of January of the FAFSA award year and who indicate on the FAFSA that their parent or guardian died in the line of duty while:
- Serving on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001 (i.e., IASG); or
- Actively serving as and performing the duties of a public safety officer (i.e., CFH).
If you answered “yes” on the FAFSA that your parent or guardian died in the line of duty, the Office of Financial Aid will request documentation in the StudentForms portal. Once eligibility is confirmed, eligible students will receive a maximum Pell Grant regardless of their Student Aid Index (SAI). The Pell Grant is adjusted based on enrollment intensity.