Glossary
Grants, unlike loans, do not have to be repaid. They are based on financial need and number of hours enrolled.
GRANTS
Grants don't need to be repaid. Available to undergraduate students only. |
Award (Per Year) |
Description |
| Federal Pell Grant |
$400 - $4,310 |
Amount of award is determined by the expected family contribution as indicated on the actual cost of attendance of TSU. |
| Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant |
$1,000 - $2,000 |
Can help Pell Grant recipients who have exceptional financial need. |
| Texas Public Education Grant |
$1,000 - $2,000 |
Designed for Texas residents with established financial need. |
| Texas Grant |
Up to the cost of required tuition and fees each academic year of eligibility |
Need-base financial assistance to Texas students who completed college-preparatory curriculum in high school. |
Academic Competitive Grant |
Year1 ..................$ 750
Year 2 .................$1,300 |
Academic Competitive Grant requires the student to have completed a rigorous high school curriculum and enroll in a minimum of 12 hours per semester, must have graduated after January 1, 2006, must be a U.S. citizen and must be a Pell Grant recipient. Second year students must have graduated after January 1, 2005, be enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours and maintain a 3.0 GPA and must be a Pell Grant recipient. Additional information on qualifications is available at http://studentaid.ed.gov/ |
National SMART Grant |
$4000 |
National SMART Grant requires the student maintain a 3.0 GPA and enroll in 12 hours per semester, is a Pell Grant recipient, in certain Computer Science, Engineering, Critical Foreign Languages, Life Sciences, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Technology, or Multidisciplinary Studies majors, and is a U.S. Citizen. Additional information on qualifications is available at http://studentaid.ed.gov/ |
Federal Work-Study
| WORK-STUDY |
Amount Available |
Eligibility |
Description |
| Federal Work-Study |
Varies |
you must complete a FAFSA to be eligible. Federal work-study eligibility is determined by financial need. |
Work-Study is earned through employment normally not to exceed 20 hours per week. Work-study positions are assigned through the Office of Student Financial Assistance beginning May 15. Additional information with dates and times will be mailed to the student and posted on campus for the general population of students. |
Loans
Students enrolled at least half time (6 hours) may apply for loans. All students applying for loans must complete the FAFSA. Once students have met all requirements, they must endorse the loan check in the Office of the Bursar. Remember this is a loan and it must be repaid; borrow wisely.
| LOANS |
Amount Available (Per Year) |
Need Standards |
Interest |
Repayment Schedule |
| Federal Perkins Loan |
Up to $3,000 for undergraduates. UP to $5,000 for graduates |
Exceptional need |
%5 - No interest accumulates while the borrower is still in school. |
begins 9 months after graduation. * 10 years allowed to repay. |
| Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan |
Year1 ..................$3,500
Year 2 .................$4,500
Year 3, 4, 5 .........$5,500
Graduate .............$8,500 |
Demonstrated need. |
Variable rate (8.25% max.) - No interest accumulates while the borrower is still in school. |
Begins 6 months after graduation.*
Various schedules are available for Stafford Loan repayment:
Standard 10 years.
Extended 12 - 30 years.
Graduated 12 - 30 years.
Income Contingent 25 years. |
| Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan for Dependent Students |
Year1 ..................$3,500
Year 2 .................$4,500
Year 3, 4, 5 .........$5,500
Graduate.............$8,500 |
No evidence of need required. † |
Variable rate (8.25 % max.)
Interest on unsubsidized loans is charged quarterly as soon as money is borrowed. Students may choose to pay the interest as it is charged, and thus keeping it from accumulating, or they may have the interest added to the capital (in effect, borrowing the amount needed to pay the interest. |
| Unsubsidized extended Federal Stafford Loan for Independent Students |
Year 1, 2 ............$4,000
Year 3, 4, 5 ........$5,000
Graduate ...........$12,000 |
No evidence of need required. • |
| Federal PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) |
Up to cost of attendance |
No evidence of need required. ** |
Variable rate (9% max.) |
Begins immediately after the loan has been fully disbursed.
10 years allowed to repay. |
* Or after the time you cease to be a half-time student. The minimum monthly payment for a Perkins loan is $40. The minimum monthly payment for a Federal Stafford Loan on the standard repayment plan is $50. Payment may be higher based on the amount of your total debt.
† Loans for dependent students may be used in conjunction with subsidized loans. The total of subsidized an unsubsidized loans my not exceed the student's base eligibility.
• Extended loans for independent students offer money that can be borrowed regardless of any other aid received (not to exceed the cost of attendance).
** The lender will require a credit analysis to determine credit worthiness prior to loan approval.
Scholarships
Scholarships are considered gift aid that does not have to be paid back. They are usually based on a student's academic performance, special talent and or financial need. Applications for scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Student Services located in Hannah Hall, Room 129.
Any scholarship received from outside organizations are forwarded to TSU and will be disbursed according to the donor's specifications. students are required to report any outside scholarships to the Office of Student Financial Assistance. The scholarship will be included in the recipient's award package; if any adjustments are required they will be made and a new Award Letter will be mailed to the student. Read more on scholarships available through the university or the state here.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
You are required to make Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in your degree or certificate program to be eligible for financial aid. Read more about these academic standards here.
Financial Need = Cost of Attendance - Estimated Family Contribution
The Department of Education determines the amount the student and family can reasonably be expected to contribute toward the cost of education according to information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is reported on the Student Aid Report (SAR) as calculated by the Department of Education. The Cost of Education at Texas Southern University is approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The student may receive a Financial Aid Package up to the amount of Financial Need, which is calculated by subtracting the Expected Family Contribution from the Cost of Attendance.The latest estimates for the cost of attendance are available here.
Dependency Status
Federal law determines whether parental information must be considered in determining need. Parental information must be included unless the student is:
- an orphan or ward of the court a veteran a graduate or professional student married has legal dependents other than spouse a student with documented special circumstances for independence
- 24 years old
Special Circumstances
Although the process of determining need for financial aid is generally the same for all students, there are allowances for unusual circumstances. If you feel have special circumstances that can be documented and substantiated, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance. |
