State and Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
Awards to eligible students are determined and published annually by the U.S. Department of Education. Award amounts vary according to the:
- Educational costs at the institution (the cost of attendance);
- Student’s enrollment status (number of hours enrolled);
- Annual appropriations and award maximums set by Congress; and
- Student Aid Index (SAI) as calculated on the FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS).
Federal Pell grant funds are paid per semester, Fall, Spring, and Summer.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This program provides grants from $100 to $1,000 to undergraduate students who have maximum financial need as determined by their FAFSA. Students must also be Pell Grant eligible, be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), be enrolled at least half-time (6 semester credit hours), and be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program. FSEOG funds are limited and therefore are awarded on a first come first served basis
Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)
This program provides grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need through their FAFSA or as determined by Student Financial Aid. The amount of the award is based on financial need, availability of funds, and residency status. Funds awarded are designed to assist Texas resident students, non-Texas resident students, students enrolled in a continuing education program, and foreign students. Students must also be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and be enrolled at least half-time (6 semester credit hours). Funds are awarded on a first come first served basis.
Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)
The TEOG Program pays grant funds for students who meet the following program criteria:
- Maintain current Texas residency status;
- Apply for financial aid and have need;
- Enroll in at least six (6) credit hours (half-time);
- Be in the first forty-five (45) attempted hours of a first degree plan or certificate (excludes dual credit and examination credits);
- Not have been convicted of any felony, or any offense involving a controlled substance;
- Not have earned an Associate or Baccalaureate Degree;
- Be registered with the Selective Service System as required by federal law or be exempt
- Must not be more than 30 days late in making a child support payment
Awards may be renewed based on criteria set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. In addition to the above requirements, students must meet the following renewal criteria:
- Not have earned an Associate or Baccalaureate Degree;
- Meet the college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy (See the policy in this catalog);
- Have a minimum 2.5 GPA overall and minimum of 75% course completion rate in the most recent academic year; and
- Received a TEOG for no more than seventy-five (75) attempted semester credit hours.
Alamo Colleges District Scholarships
The Alamo Colleges District awards many scholarships, based on the availability of institutional and private funds, to academically meritorious or needy students. Scholarships range from $300 to over $2,000 per academic year (September-May). All scholarships and other financial aid already awarded are taken into consideration when determining eligibility. Scholarship lists and applications are available online.
The Alamo Colleges District Foundation Scholarship Office and each of the college scholarship offices are responsible for application procedures, selection of recipients, notice of scholarship award, and renewal and revocation processes for each respective scholarship program.
Student Loan Programs
Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
The Alamo Colleges District provides student loan funds directly from the Federal Government under the Federal Direct Loan Programs.
Direct Student Loans are low-interest student loans certified by the Alamo Colleges District and guaranteed by the federal government. The interest rate for subsidized and unsubsidized loans are fixed and will not change for the life of the loan. Specific information about the Federal Direct Loan programs and current interest rates are available at studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans.
For Subsidized loans, the federal government pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time. Interest on Unsubsidized loans, however, must be paid by the student. Although it is not required to make early payments on interest while a student is still enrolled at least half-time, any unpaid interest that accumulates will be added to the total principal loan balance. Dependent students may borrow up to $3,500 in subsidized loans during their grade level one (1) year, up to $4,500 in subsidized loans in grade level two (2), and up to $5,500 in subsidized loans in grade level three (3) and above. For each grade level, up $2,000 of unsubsidized loans are available to request each year. Independent students can borrow up to the same level of subsidized amounts per grade level, and an additional $6,000 in unsubsidized loans per year. Because subsidized loans are based on financial need, the Student Financial Aid office determines the amount students are eligible to borrow. Student loan repayment begins six (6) months after the student leaves school or drops below 6 hours (half-time) status.
Students applying for loans are also required to complete several online counseling and agreement modules on studentaid.gov. These requirements include Loan Entrance Counseling if they are a first-time borrower, a Master Promissory Note (MPN) to agree to the terms of their loan, and Student Loan Exit counseling whenever they are graduating, transferring, or withdrawing from the college. For information on loan applications and deadlines, visit the Alamo Colleges District Financial Aid Direct Loans web site. Additional information about the Federal Direct Loans program is available at studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans.
Direct Parent PLUS Loan
A Parent PLUS Loan provides the parent of a dependent undergraduate student with a fixed-interest loan that can help pay for educational expenses not covered by other student financial aid. For a parent to be eligible, they must complete a credit check and not have adverse credit history.
Once a parent submits a PLUS loan application, the Student Financial Aid office determines the final amount the parent is eligible to borrow as it cannot exceed the student’s Cost of Attendance, in combination with all other financial aid awarded.
Specific information about the Direct Parent PLUS loan and current interest rates are available at studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/plus/parent. Visit the Alamo Colleges District Financial Aid Direct Loans web site for information about our Parent PLUS loan application process.
Consolidation Loan Program
A Direct Consolidation Loan allows students to combine one or more federal education loans into a new consolidated loan for the purpose of lowering their monthly payment amount, making payments on a single loan with one monthly bill, or gaining access to federal loan forgiveness programs. These loans provide repayment periods appropriate for the total amount outstanding. For example, a student whose total loan debt exceeds $7,500 may be given a repayment period longer than ten (10) years. Repayment of a Consolidation Loan must begin within sixty (60) days after the selected loans have been consolidated. Students may learn more about loan consolidation and how to apply at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/consolidation.
Financial Aid Payment Plan
The Alamo Colleges District offers a payment plan for students whose financial aid may not cover their entire tuition and fees balance. The payment plan provides the option for students who have a remaining balance of $65 or more (after financial aid funds are applied) to sign up for the payment plan and avoid being dropped from classes. Students can sign up for the Payment Plan in ACES, and the steps are the same as the regular payment plan. When asked to select the type of payment plan, student should select Financial Aid Payment Plan.
Work Opportunities
Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program provides work opportunities for undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time who demonstrate financial need to help pay for their educational expenses. The hourly pay rate for FWS employees is currently $15.33 per hour. Starting September 1, 2024, the pay rate will increase to $16.29 per hour. The amount of FWS awarded depends on a student’s financial need, availability of funding, and the amount of other aid the student receives. The Alamo Colleges District FWS program budgets awards for students to work up to nineteen (19) hours per week. FWS students are paid twice (2 times) per month. State and Institutional Work-Study programs may also be available if the federal funding level is insufficient to meet the demand for student workers.
Community Base Off-Campus Work Study Employment
Non-Profit off-campus employment is administered by many local community or city agencies that hire Alamo Colleges District’s students. These non-profit organizations who employ Alamo College District students adhere to the Alamo Colleges District Federal work study rules and regulations. In addition to earning money while attending college, students have an opportunity to participate in the local work force and gain valuable work experience.
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