The Federal Pell Grant is awarded to eligible students who have not received a bachelor's degree and who have exceptionally high documented financial need. The Federal Pell Grant Processing Center calculates the student's eligibility from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Awards range from $400 to approximately $4,731. Awards are reduced for enrollment less than 12 credit hours per semester. Eligible students receive funds by credit to their university student account.

Academic Competitiveness Grants provide up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study and up to $1,300 for the second year of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S. citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, enrolled in an undergraduate degree or certification program, and who have successfully completed a rigorous high school program such as the Recommended or Distinguished high school curriculum.  Second year students must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0.  The program is available to first year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and for second year students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005.  Applicants must provide an official copy of their final high school transcript to the TWU Student Records Office.  Eligible students receive funds by credit to their university account.

SMART Grants provide up to $4,000 for each of the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to full-time students who are U.S. citizens, eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, and majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security.  The student must also have maintained a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of a least 3.0 in coursework required for the major and be enrolled in courses required for their major degree.  Applicants must provide an official copy of their final high school transcript to the TWU Student Records Office.  Eligible students receive funds by credit to their university account.

The Federal government has designed FSEOG funds for eligible undergraduate students with the highest documented financial need who enroll at least half-time. The maximum annual award is $800. Eligible students receive funds by credit to their university student account.

The LEAP is a state grant that is awarded to eligible undergraduate Texas resident students on the basis of documented financial need. Awards range from $100 to $2,000 per year depending on the student's eligibility. Recipients receive funds in the form of a check.

The TEXAS Grant is awarded to eligible Texas residents who show exceptional financial need, enroll full time (twelve hours per semester) unless granted a hardship provision, have not been granted a bachelor's degree, and who meet one of the following conditions:

1. Be a graduate of a public or accredited private school in Texas not earlier than the 1998-1999 school year having completed the recommended or advanced high school curriculum or its equivalent, and enroll as an entering undergraduate student not later than the end of the 16th month after the month of high school graduation; or
2. Have received an associate degree from an eligible institution no earlier than May 1, 2001, and re-enrolled not later than the end of the 12th month after the month the person receives an associate degree. Graduates from school districts certified not to offer all college preparatory programs but who have completed all courses at the high school offered toward a college preparatory program may be considered. Continuation of the TEXAS Grant requires a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average and completion of at least 75% of all courses attempted. Eligibility is limited to the first 150 hours of study or six years, which ever comes first. For students qualifying through an associate's degree, eligibility is limited to 90 credit hours. Persons convicted of a felony or any drug related offense are not eligible unless they have been pardoned or received a certificate of discharge by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Awards may not exceed tuition and fees.
3. In the event of a hardship or for other good cause, an otherwise eligible person may receive a TEXAS Grant while enrolled for an equivalent of less than full-time. Such conditions are not limited to, but include:
   • an indication that the student is responsible for the care of a sick, injured, or needy person and that the student's provision of care may affect his or her academic performance; or
   • the requirement of fewer than nine hours to complete one's degree plan.
4. Students awarded an initial TEXAS Grant on September 1, 2005, or later, must:
   1. meet TWU's Financial Aid satisfactory academic progress policy at the end of the first year;
   2. in subsequent years,
      • maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average;
      • successfully complete 75% of all hours attempted;
      • enroll full time;
      • complete at least 24 credit hours in the combined fall and spring semesters.

Under no circumstance, other than fewer hours required for graduation, may a person enrolled less than half-time receive a TEXAS Grant. Priority in awards is given to renewal recipients.

The Texas Public Education Grant is a Texas grant which is awarded to eligible Texas resident, non-resident, and international undergraduate and graduate students on the basis of documented financial need. Awards vary in size depending on the student's eligibility. Recipients receive funds by credit to their university student account.

UBAT is a Texas Grant that is awarded to undergraduate Texas residents based upon financial need. Recipients must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) in a degree or certification program and must not be receiving scholarships, grants, or other non-loan financial assistance that equals or exceeds the amount owed for tuition and fees. The average award is $800 annually. Recipients receive funds by credit to their university account.

GBAT is a Texas Grant that is awarded to graduate Texas residents based upon financial need. Recipients must be enrolled at least half-time (6 credit hours) in a degree or certification program, unless all regular coursework has been completed and less than half-time enrollment is in professional paper, thesis or dissertation and must not be receiving scholarships, grants, or other non-loan financial assistance that equals or exceeds the amount owed for tuition and fees. The average award is $800 annually. Recipients receive funds by credit to their university account.

TEACH Grants aware awarded to eligible students who enroll in coursework necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework.  Awards provide up to $4,000 per year ($16,000 total for four-year programs) in grants to students who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students from low-income families.  Graduate students are also eligible for $4,000 per year ($8,000 total).

IF YOU FAIL TO COMPLETE THE FOUR-YEAR TEACHING OBLIGATION YOU WILL HAVE TO REPAY THE GRANT WITH INTEREST!!!

Student Eligibility Requirements

To receive a 2008-2009 TEACH Grant you must:

• Complete the 2008-2009 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), although you do not have to demonstrate financial need.  TWU School Code 003646.
• Complete the 2008-2009 TWU Certification and Information form
• Complete the TWU TEACH Grant Request Form for 2008-2009 and submit to the TWU College of Professional Education, Stoddard Hall 2nd floor,  for certification that you are taking coursework in an eligible program.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Be enrolled in coursework that is necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework. Coursework that will prepare a student to teach in a high-need subject area (e.g., math courses for a student who intends to be a math teacher) is acceptable.
• Meet the following academic achievement requirements
  • Score above the 75th percentile on one of the following college admissions test(s) - SAT, ACT, or GRE, Or
  • Graduate from High School with a Cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale AND maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 throughout your academic program for which you receive a TEACH Grant.

• Complete TEACH Grant counseling
• Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and Promise to Pay each year with the U.S. Department of Education (Agreement must be completed if you are awarded a TEACH Grant)

To receive a 2009-2010 TEACH Grant you must:

• Complete the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), although you do not have to demonstrate financial need.  TWU School Code 003646.
• Complete the 2009-2010 TWU Certification and Information form
• Complete the TWU TEACH Grant Request Form for 2009-2010 and submit to the TWU College of Professional Education, Stoddard Hall 2nd floor,  for certification that you are taking coursework in an eligible program.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or eligible non-citizen.
• Be enrolled in coursework that is necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework. Coursework that will prepare a student to teach in a high-need subject area (e.g., math courses for a student who intends to be a math teacher) is acceptable.
• Meet the following academic achievement requirements
  • Score above the 75th percentile on one of the following college admissions test(s) - SAT, ACT, or GRE, Or
  • Graduate from High School with a Cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale AND maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 throughout your academic program for which you receive a TEACH Grant.

• Complete TEACH Grant counseling
• Sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and Promise to Pay each year with the U.S. Department of Education (Agreement must be completed if you are awarded a TEACH Grant)

TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and Promise to Pay

Each year you receive a TEACH Grant, you must sign a TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve and Promise to Pay (service agreement) that will be available electronically on a Department of Education Web site. The TEACH Grant service agreement specifies the conditions under which the grant will be awarded, the teaching service requirements, and includes an acknowledgment by you that you understand that if you do not meet the teaching service requirements you must repay the grant as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, with interest accrued from the date the grant funds were first disbursed.Specifically, the TEACH Grant service agreement will provide that –

Teaching Obligation

To avoid repaying the TEACH Grant as a loan with interest you must be a highly-qualified, full-time teacher in a high-need subject area for at least four years within eight years of finishing the program at a school serving low-income students. Specific definitions of these terms are included below.

Highly-Qualified Teacher

You must perform the teaching service as a highly-qualified teacher. The term highly-qualified teacher is defined in section 9101(23) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 or in section 602(10) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act – online at: http://www.ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0414.html.

Full-Time Teacher

You must meet the state’s definition of a full-time teacher and spend the majority (at least 51 percent) of your time teaching one of the high-need subject areas. Elementary school teachers who teach many subjects would not be able to fulfill their service agreement.

High-Need Subject Areas

• Bilingual Education and English Language Acquisition
• Foreign Language
• Mathematics
• Reading Specialist
• Science
• Special Education
• Other teacher shortage areas identified at the time you begin teaching. These are subject areas (not geographic areas) that are listed in the Department of Education’s Annual Teacher Shortage Area Nationwide Listing at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/pol/tsa.doc.

Schools Serving Low-Income Students

Schools serving low-income students include any elementary or secondary school that is listed in the Department of Education’s Annual Directory of Designated Low-Income Schools for Teacher Cancellation Benefits at https://www.tcli.ed.gov/CBSWebApp/tcli/TCLIPubSchoolSearch.jsp.

Documentation

For each TEACH-eligible program for which you received TEACH Grant funds, you must also provide documentation to the federal Department of Education that you completed your teaching obligation. TEACH Grant recipients must also confirm to the federal Department of Education in writing within 120 days of completing or otherwise ceasing enrollment in the TEACH-eligible program that they are fulfilling (or planning to fulfill) the terms and conditions of the service agreement.

Documentation of the teaching service must be certified by the elementary or secondary school’s chief administrative officer, upon completion of four academic years of teaching service. This documentation must show that you were a full-time, highly-qualified teacher at a school serving low-income students, teaching a high-need subject area for at least four years.

IMPORTANT REMINDER

FAILURE TO COMPLETE THE TEACHING OBLIGATION OR PROPERLY DOCUMENT YOUR TEACHING SERVICE WILL CAUSE THE TEACH GRANT TO BE PERMANENTLY CONVERTED TO A LOAN WITH INTEREST.

ONCE A GRANT IS CONVERTED TO A LOAN IT CAN’T BE CONVERTED BACK TO GRANT!

 

1. Complete a 2009-2010 Financial Aid Certification and Information Form online through the internet at http://www.twu.edu/finaid If you do not have internet access you may complete the paper Financial Aid Certification and Information Form and submit it to TWU. The financial aid office staff uses this form to determine your financial aid budget (cost of attendance),  the semester(s) you plan to attend, the number of credit hours per semester in which you plan to enroll, and also to identify other outside financial assistance you expect to receive.
   
2. Complete the 2009-2010 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1, 2009 on-line at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
   • To sign your FAFSA electronically you (and your parent, if you are dependent) need a U.S. Department of Education PIN.  If you do not have a PIN you (and your parent) can each apply for one at http://www.pin.ed.gov/.  Your FAFSA will be processed faster if you sign using a PIN.
   • The information you provide on the FAFSA is used by the Federal Processing Center to determine your eligibility for Pell Grant. These same results are then used by the TWU Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility for institutional grant funds, state grants, other federal grants, College Work-Study, and student loans.
   • Request your information be sent to TWU. Denton, TX.  TWU's Title IV code is 003646.
   • Use 2008 tax returns to complete the FAFSA.
   • If you provided an e-mail address on your FAFSA, you will receive an e-mail from the federal processor with an electronic link to your Student Aid Report (SAR).  You will receive this e-mail approximately 3 days after you electronically submit your FAFSA to the federal processor. NOTE: To ensure that the e-mail is delivered to your e-mail inbox and not directed to junk or bulk mail folders, enter the originating e-mail address, spsnotify@cpsemail.ed.gov, in your e-mail account's address book.  If you did not provide an e-mail address, a paper Student Aid Report (SAR) will be mailed to you at the address you provided on the FAFSA.  Review the information on the SAR and if your application has been selected for verification, refer to the verification process instructions.