(TAC, Section 22.226 and Section 22.228)
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To receive an initial TEXAS Grant award year (IY) award, a student must meet the following requirements: |
To receive a renewal TEXAS Grant award year (RY) award, a student must meet the following requirements: |
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Be an entering undergraduate student enrolled in a baccalaureate program at a public 4-year or HRI institution who can be categorized in one of the following four pathways: Graduated from an accredited public or private high school* in Texas having completed at least the Foundation program and enrolled at an approved institution within 16 months from high school graduation having not accumulated more than 30 semester credit hours (SCHs) (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 obtaining an associate degree; OR Graduated from an accredited public or private high school in Texas May 1, 2013 or later, having completed at least the Foundation program and enlisted in military service within 12 months of high school graduation and enrolled in an eligible institution within 12 months of receiving an honorable discharge; OR Received an IY Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) in Fall 2014 or later and transferred to an eligible institution with minimum 2.5 GPA, and having completed at least 24 SCH’s; AND Be enrolled at least ¾ time Not have earned a baccalaureate degree Be registered with Selective Service, or be exempt Demonstrate financial need Have applied for any available financial aid assistance Have a 9-month expected family contribution (EFC) of no more than $5,233 Be classified by the institution as a Texas Resident Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance or under the law of any jurisdiction involving a controlled substance as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act) |
Be an undergraduate student at a public 2-year institution who previously received a TEXAS Grant IY award prior to fall 2014 at a public 2-year institution; OR Be an undergraduate student at a public 4-year or HRI institution who previously received a TEXAS Grant IY award prior to fall 2014 at a public 2-year, 4-year, or HRI institution; OR Be an undergraduate student enrolled in a baccalaureate program at a public 4-year or HRI institution who received a TEXAS Grant IY award fall 2014 or later; AND Be enrolled at least ¾ time Not have earned a baccalaureate degree Be registered with Selective Service, or be exempt Demonstrate financial need Be classified by the institution as a Texas Resident Maintain satisfactory academic progress Not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance or under the law of any jurisdiction involving a controlled substance as defined by Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act) |
(TAC, Section 22.230)
A student is not eligible to receive a TEXAS Grant award if convicted of a felony or an offense under the law in any jurisdiction involving a controlled substance as defined in Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code (Texas Controlled Substances Act). Institutions should consult with their internal legal counsel concerning individual student situations.
To comply with this requirement, institutions are required to collect a statement (electronic or paper) from each TEXAS grant recipient certifying that they have no such conviction. Institutions have the flexibility to determine the wording of the statement and the frequency with which it is collected. This statement must be retained with the student’s records at the institution and be made available if requested in the course of a program review or audit.
A person with a controlled substance conviction or offense can be considered for an award if they have one of the following:
A certificate of discharge by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice or a correctional facility.
Completed a period of probation ordered by a court, and at least two years have elapsed from the date of the receipt or completion.
Been pardoned and had the record of the offense expunged from the person's record.
(TAC, Section 22.230)
Unless granted a hardship, a student’s eligibility ends if any of the following maximums have been met:
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Pathway |
If enrolled in a degree plan of 4 years or less |
If enrolled in a degree plan of more than 4 years |
Attempted hours** |
Hours while receiving grant funds |
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Initial recipient via associate degree* |
3 years from the first semester awarded |
4 years from the first semester awarded |
150 SCH |
90 SCH No Hardship Allowed |
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Initial recipient via*:
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5 years from the first semester awarded |
6 years from the first semester awarded |
150 SCH |
150 SCH No Hardship Allowed |
*Eligibility ends for all recipients once a baccalaureate degree has been obtained.
**Attempted hours is defined as every course in every semester for which a student has been registered as of the official census date. This includes but is not limited to repeated courses, courses the student drops or those that the student withdraws from. For transfer students, the transfer hours and hours for optional internship and cooperative education courses are included if they are accepted by the receiving institution towards the student's current program of study (See TAC, Section 22.230).
(TAC, Section 22.231)
The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships follows the Hardship Provisions for Texas Grant eligibility in cases where a student loses eligibility. A student who is ineligible for a TEXAS Grant award based on the general requirements may be deemed eligible under a hardship provision.There are limitations on which eligibility requirements can be granted a hardship. Each institution must adopt a hardship policy and have the policy available for public review. All hardship decisions must be documented in the student’s record and be available for submission to the THECB, if requested.
No student enrolled for fewer than six hours may receive a TEXAS Grant. However, in the event of a hardship or for other good cause, A&M-Commerce may allow an otherwise eligible person to receive a TEXAS Grant while enrolled for an equivalent of six to nine semester credit hours or if the student's grade point average or completion rate or number of completed hours falls below the satisfactory academic progress requiremnets of §22.229 of this title (relating to Satisfactory Academic Progress).
Hardship conditions are not limited to, but include the circumstances listed.
The student will need to provide a written request and supporting documentation of the circimstances which resulted in the loss of eligibility. In cases where the loss of eligibility is associated with the student needing additional credit hours to complete the degree, the student, in consultation with their academic advisor, will complete and submit the Excessive Hours form.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Students enrolled less than 6 semester credit hours cannot be considered for a hardship and are not eligible for a TEXAS Grant award. While a hardship may be granted to allow an award in excess of 150 attempted semester credit hours, the total number of hours paid for with TEXAS Grant funds may not exceed 150 or 90 semester credit hours.