The Texas Legislature established the TEXAS (Towards EXcellence, Access and Success) Grant to make sure that well-prepared high school graduates with financial need could go to college.

/Home/Student Loan Information by State/Texas Student Loans

TEXAS Grant
Program Purpose

The Texas Legislature established the TEXAS (Towards EXcellence, Access and Success) Grant to make sure that well-prepared high school graduates with financial need could go to college.

Who can apply? Students who...

For an initial award

Are Texas residents
Have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance
Show financial need
Have an EFC less than or equal to 4000
Register for the Selective Service or are exempt from this requirement
AND

Be a graduate of an accredited high school in Texas not earlier than the 1998-99 school year
Complete the Recommended High School Program or Distinguished Achievement Program in high school
Enroll in a non-profit public college or university in Texas within 16 months of graduation from a public or accredited private high school in Texas and
Have accumulated no more than 30 semester credit hours, excluding those earned for dual or concurrent courses or awarded for credit by examination (AP, IB or CLEP).
OR

Have earned an associate degree from a public technical, state or community college in Texas and
Enroll in any public university in Texas no more than 12 months after receiving their associate's degree.
Students entering the program from high school who continue in college and who meet program academic standards can receive awards for up to 150 semester credit hours, until they receive a bachelor's degree, or for five years if enrolled in a 4-year degree plan or six years if enrolled in a 5-year degree plan, whichever comes first.

Students entering the program based on acquisition of an associate's degree who continue in college and who meet program academic standards can receive awards for up to 90 semester credit hours, until they receive a bachelor's degree, or for three years if enrolled in a 4-year degree plan or four years if enrolled in a 5-year degree plan, whichever comes first.

The academic requirements for continuing in the program are:

At the end of the first year, a student entering the program must be meeting the school's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
At the end of the second year in the program or later years, all students must complete at least 75% of the hours attempted in the prior academic year, have an overall college grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and complete at least 24 semester credit hours per year.
Where may awards be used?

A TEXAS Grant may be used to attend any public institution of higher education in Texas.

How much can be awarded?

The award amount (including state and institutional funds) is equal to the student's tuition and required fees. For 2008- 2009, the state amount is approximately: $2,640 per semester for public universities and state college students $865 per semester for public community college students and $1,325 per semester for public technical college students.

How can you apply?

You apply for the TEXAS Grant when you complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or other application as required by your college's financial aid office. Funding is limited, so you need to submit your application as soon as possible after January 1 of your senior year. The financial aid office at each college and university will determine if TEXAS Grant is part of the aid package that is offered to you.

Additional Information

Your eligibility for this program is determined by the financial aid office at your college. Contact your college financial aid office for additional information on eligibility or availability of funds.

To read more about this program check out: Texas Education Code, §56.301 and Coordinating Board Rules, Chapter 22 L.