Grants
Types of Grants Offered
- Federal Pell Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)
- TEXAS Grant
Federal Pell Grant Program
A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor’s or professional degree. For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added. Although your Pell Grant may be disbursed to you on or around 10 days prior to the first class day, your enrollment as of census day (12th class day) will ultimately determine the amount of your grant. Students who receive a Pell Grant based on full-time enrollment, and then subsequently drop a class before census day, will have their Pell Grant adjusted down to reflect the decrease in credit hours. The reverse will be true as well; students who enroll in less-than-full-time credit hours, who subsequently add classes, will receive an increase in their pell award to reflect the higher rate of attendance.
In December 2011, President Obama signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-74). This law has significantly impacted the Federal Pell Grant Program. Beginning in Fall 2012, students are now limited to 12 semesters (or 600%) of Federal Pell Grant eligibility during their lifetime. Because the new Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) includes all awards received prior to the 2012-2013 year, some students will be ineligible at the start of the 2012-2013 year. Others will have some eligibility but not enough to receive 100% of their award. There are no exceptions and you cannot appeal.
Students are notified of this limit on their Student Aid Report (SAR) after they complete the current year’s FAFSA. Students can find and track their financial aid history at the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). You will need your federal PIN to access your history (it’s the same one you use to sign your FAFSA).
Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act
A Pell-eligible student, whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. To qualify for this scholarship, a student must be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death
A public safety officer as defined in in section 1204 of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796b)
- An individual serving a public agency in an official capacity, with or without compensation, as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or chaplain;
- An employee of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) who is performing official duties of the agency, if those official duties—
- are related to a major disaster or emergency that has been, or is later declared to exist with respect to the area under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; and
- are determined by FEMA to be hazardous duties
A parent or guardian includes non-custodial parents, step-parents, and parents of independent students. In all cases, the parent/guardian status at the time of death is the qualifying eligibility criterion. This may be different from the current parent/guardian status.
The Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship requires documentation to validate that the student was less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent’s or guardian’s death. If you feel you are eligible for this scholarship, please email our office at vsfa@uthscsa.edu for more details.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This grant is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need, who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant, and who enroll in greater than full-time status at UT Health San Antonio. You do not have to repay an FSEOG award. Awards are given out after the census day of the term when enrollment has been “locked” for the term.
Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)
The TPEG program provides state funds for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need who plan to attend UT Health San Antonio. To qualify, students must be enrolled at least half-time per semester they are scheduled to receive an award. A student that received an award, who does not enroll at least half-time will have their award canceled and offered to applicants on the waiting list. Students that receive a state scholarship award from their department after receiving the TPEG award will have the lesser of the two awards canceled since you may only have one or the other but not both.
TPEG awards are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis while funds are available for awarding. A wait list is maintained by Veteran Services and Financial Aid and students can request their name be placed on the list by phone or email. Students who do not accept this offer within 45 days of their awarding of this fund may have their award canceled and re-allocated to a waiting applicant.
TEXAS Grant
UT Health San Antonio does not receive an initial allocation for this program and can only assist students who have previously received a grant from another school and are still pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. Students must meet the academic requirements shown below in order to qualify for a renewal award.
ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUING IN THE TEXAS GRANT PROGRAM
- 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 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.
- Maximum time frame for recipient entering the program as a High School graduate is 5 years. Maximum time frame for a recipient entering the program with an Associate’s Degree is 3 years.
UT Health San Antonio’s Hardship Policy allows for exceptions to the enrollment requirements and year limits on a case by case basis if mitigating circumstances exist such as but not limited to:
- 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 in the household that the student’s provision of care may affect his or her academic performance.
- The requirement of fewer than nine hours to complete one’s degree plan.
- Student did not have additional prerequisites to take before transferring for degree completion.
- Student was admitted mid-year and the program structure did not allow the student to take at least 24 credits.
- Student was unable to complete the program within five years of the initial award due to extenuating circumstances but will graduate in 5.5 years. An award may be made for the last term leading to graduation.
A written request from the student to VSFA and supporting documentation is needed to evaluate the conditions and determine if a Hardship exists. Multiple hardships may be granted if the deemed appropriate by the institution.