A grant is a financial award that does not need to be repaid. In other words, it's free money! Grants are typically awarded based on your financial need, unlike scholarships, which are usually based on academic excellence.
Grants are available through federal, state, private, and university sources. Funds are limited, so apply early! You must submit the FAFSA and all other documents by April 1 to get maximum consideration for grant funding.
Here's a look at available grants. Questions? Contact the Financial Aid Office.
- Federal Pell Grants
- Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are considered a foundation of federal financial aid, to which aid from other federal and nonfederal sources might be added.
- Eligibility Requirements
- Award Amounts
The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2009-2010 award year (July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010) is $5,350. The maximum can change each award year and depends on program funding. Actual award amounts are determined by EFC and enrollment status.
- TEACH Grant
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The new Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program provides up to $4,000 per year in grants for graduate and undergraduate 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. Students may receive up to $16,000 for undergraduate study and up to $8,000 for graduate study. Part-time students are eligible, but the maximum grant will be reduced.
More information
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
- The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Schools are allocated a limited amount of funding. Just like Pell Grants, the FSEOG does not have to be repaid.
- Eligibility Requirements
- Award Amounts
UH packaging policy dictates that students will receive awards of $1,500
- Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) and Special Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (SLEAP)
- The LEAP/SLEAP program is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need. Schools are allocated a limited amount of funding. Just like Pell Grants, LEAP/SLEAP does not have to be repaid.
- Eligibility Requirements
- Award Amounts
UH packaging policy dictates that students will receive awards of $1,500
- Undergraduate Tuition Grant
- This UH program awards grants to undergraduate students with exceptional need who meet the priority application deadline of April 1. Awards range from $400 to $2,200 per academic year.
- Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
- The Academic Competitiveness Grant was made available for the first time for the 2006-2007 school year for first-year college students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2006, and for second-year college students who graduated from high school after January 1, 2005.
- Eligibility Requirements
- Meet the eligibility requirements for federal student aid
- Undergraduate classified as either a Freshman or Sophomore
- Receiving a Pell Grant
- Graduated from a Rigorous High School program after 1/1/06
(Advanced or honors, Recommended, or 2 IB courses w/ 4 or higher or 2 AP courses w/3 or higher)
- Must have your Final Transcript on file with the Office of Admissions
- Can only receive ONE ACG1(Freshman) and ONE ACG2(Sophomore) per academic career
- Sophomores must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Award Amounts
Freshman Students may receive up to $750 per year and sophomore students may receive up to $1,300 per year. Actual award amount are determined by a student’s enrollment status.
- National SMART Grant
- The National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant, also known as the National Smart Grant is available during the third and fourth years of undergraduate study to students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, or engineering or in a foreign language determined critical to national security.
- Eligibility Requirements
- Meet the eligibility requirements for federal student aid
- Undergraduate classified as either a Junior or Senior
- Receiving a Pell Grant
- Enrolled in eligible Major (Natural Sciences, Math or Critical foreign language)
- Can only receive ONE SMART1(Junior) and ONE SMART2(Senior) per academic career
- Cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Award Amounts
Students can receive up to $4,000 per year. Award amounts are determined by a student’s enrollment status with students receiving $3,000 for ¾ time, $2,000 for ½ time for both their third and fourth academic years of study. - Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)
- This program, administered by the state of Texas, provides assistance to students with financial need who are seeking a first bachelor's degree, a graduate degree, or a or professional degree. Texas residents and nonresidents who meet the priority deadline of April 1 are eligible.
- Towards Excellence, Access and Success (Texas) Grant
- Students who complete the Recommended High School Program or Distinguished Achievement Program in an accredited Texas high school and meet certain eligibility requirements are automatically considered for this state-sponsored program. For more information, visit www.collegefortexans.com.
- Graduate Tuition Grant
- This UH grant is awarded to graduate students who demonstrate need and meet the priority deadline - April 1. The award range is $400 - $2,000 per academic year.
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