Grants are gift aid from federal, state, or university sources. They are awarded to students based on need, and they do not have to be repaid. You must complete the FAFSA for grant awards. To maximize gift aid, complete your FAFSA by the university priority deadline and submit your admissions application early as well. The sooner you are admitted, the sooner you will be awarded financial assistance.
The Federal Pell Grant, Toward Excellence and Access Grant and TEACH Grant require enrollment in 12 credit hours to gain eligibility for maximum awards. Certain grant programs such as the Federal Pell grant are prorated based on your enrollment for the term, but generally students must maintain at least half-time enrollment to qualify for an award.
To avoid reductions in gift aid be sure to report any external tuition assistance promptly, maintain SAP, read through your agreements to understand how to maintain eligiblity, and monitor your Cost of Attendance changes such as housing and residency.
Federally funded awards for undergraduates who are citizens or eligible non-citizens and apply on time. SEOG is not available to applicants. Awards are based on financial need, and range from $100 to $4,000. Preference is given to Pell Grant with recipients with the lowest need who meet the financial aid priority deadline for awarding.
The Texas Public Education Grants are awarded to students who are citizens or eligible non-citizens, and who have been regularly admitted into a degree-seeking program. Students who file the FAFSA are automatically considered for the Texas Public Education Grant. Full time awards start at $100 with a maximum award of $4,000. Students who cannot apply for aid using the FAFSA are encouraged to complete the TASFA. Parental information is required for students who are considered dependent by federal guidelines. Students must show financial need according to the federal guidelines and register for selective service or be exempt from this requirement.
Based on a combination of need and merit, the TEXAS Grant is designed to provide a renewable award to students. There are several pathways to enter the TEXAS Grant. Student must meet enrollment, eligibility and satisfactory academic progress requirements to renew the grant. Maximum hours or enrollment apply based on the pathway the student enters the TEXAS Grant program.
- Graduated from an accredited public or private high school in Texas; and enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at an approved institution within 16 months from high school graduation, having not accumulated more than 30 Semester Credit Hours (SCH’s) (excluding credits for dual enrollment or by examination); or
- Earned an associate degree from a public or private nonprofit institution of higher education in Texas and enrolled in an eligible institution within 12 months after receiving the associate degree;
- Graduated from an accredited public or private high school in Texas May 1, 2013 or later; and enlisted in military service within 12 months of high school graduation and enrolled in an eligible General Academic Teaching Institution (GATI) within 12 months of receiving an honorable discharge; OR
- Transferred into a public university in Texas with at least 24 SCH’s and a minimum 2.5 GPA; and received an initial year (IY) Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) in Fall 2014 or late.
Appeal Process: Students who do not meet the renewal criteria for the Texas Grant and wish to appeal based on extenuating circumstances must submit a formal appeal statement, along with a copy of their most recent unofficial transcript, to the Associate Vice President for Student Financial and Military Success at latisha.addison@tsu.edu.
The TEACH Grant program is a non-need based grant program that provides up to $4,000* per year to students who are enrolled full time. TEACH Grants are available to citizens and permanent residents only. Reduced eligibility is calculated for less than full time enrollment in an eligible program. Students must agree to teach in a high-need field, at low-income elementary or secondary school as a highly qualified teacher for at least four years within eight years of completing the program for which TEACH Grant was awarded. The student must sign a service agreement to this effect annually, and complete all required counseling prior to receiving TEACH Grant. 3.25 GPA is required each semester to establish and maintain eligibility. Students must be formally admitted into the college of education or have a signed degree audit certifying the courses completed will apply to a major and degree within the College of Education. If the student subsequently fails to meet the requirements of the service agreement, TEACH Grant will be treated as a Direct Unsubsidized Loan, and the student must repay the TEACH funds, with interest accrued from the date of disbursement.
The Great Start Grant assists with the initial 25% payment required under the University’s installment payment plan. The signed installment agreement serves as the binding contract for the plan. The student is responsible for the $52 application fee and all remaining payments in accordance with the agreement. Once the signed agreement is submitted and the grant is applied, the student is considered officially enrolled for the term. To cancel registration, the student must follow the University Withdrawal Policy. Resident and nonresident students may apply.
All awards are subject to available funding, verification of eligibility, and applicable University and financial aid requirements below.
- Be actively enrolled in at least six credit hours.
- Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 for undergraduate students or 3.0 for graduate students.
- Meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements for financial aid and be in good academic standing with the University.
- Submit a signed installment agreement to the Office of Student Accounting before the grant is posted to the student’s account.
- Receive an award of no more than 25% of the tuition and fees reflected on the student’s account for the current term as of the application date.
- Use the grant only for current-term charges; the grant may not be applied to a past-due balance.
Note: A student who does not successfully meet the terms of the remaining installment payments may not apply for a subsequent Great Start Grant in a future term.
The Balance Due Grant assists students who are nearing degree completion but may be disenrolled or prevented from registering because of an outstanding University balance. Students must otherwise be eligible to continue their studies and must agree to remain enrolled at TSU. The grant may cover up to $2,000 of the amount owed. Students may apply or be nominated. Awards are considered financial aid and do not require repayment.
All awards are subject to available funding, verification of eligibility, and applicable University and financial aid requirements below.
- Be academically eligible to continue enrollment at Texas Southern University.
- Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 for undergraduate students or 3.0 for graduate students.
- Agree to complete the degree at Texas Southern University.
- Have a past-due balance from a prior term.
- Receive no more than $2,000. Any remaining balance is the student’s responsibility.
- If the balance exceeds the maximum award, pay the required portion and provide proof of payment before grant funds are applied to the account.
- Sign a binding agreement acknowledging responsibility for the student’s portion of the balance before the Office of Student Financial Assistance applies grant funds.
- Students must have an unmet need to qualify for the Balance Due Grant.
Access the application by clicking here: HG Balance Due Application
Note: Students may apply for the Balance Due Grant beginning the day after the current semester ends.
The Completion Grant assists undergraduate and graduate students in the final semester or semesters of their degree programs after available grant and loan eligibility has been exhausted or nearly exhausted. The grant provides financial support needed to complete remaining degree requirements. An award may not exceed $4,000 during the award year.
All awards are subject to available funding, verification of eligibility, and applicable University and financial aid requirements below.
- Be classified as an undergraduate senior or graduating grad student during the term or terms in which the grant will be used.
- For undergraduate students, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 or meet the minimum grade point average required for graduation in the student’s major, whichever is higher. Graduate students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
- Have exhausted or nearly exhausted eligibility for federal financial aid.
- Meet the minimum satisfactory academic progress requirements for financial aid and be in good academic standing with the University.
- Receive no more than $4,000 during the award year. The student is responsible for satisfying any remaining balance.
Access the application by clicking here: HG Completion Grant
Note: Students must have an unmet need to qualify for the Helen Giddings Completion Grant.