“Free money” that you do not need to repay.
How to Apply: https://www.sulross.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/
Grants are gift-aid, which means they do not need to be repaid. They are awarded based on your financial need. Funding is limited, so students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as unsatisfied student requirements as soon as possible. All grants awarded, unless otherwise noted, are based upon the hours of enrollment and will be adjusted accordingly after the census date of each semester enrolled. Generally, students must maintain at least half-time enrollment to qualify for an award. Several types of federal grants are accessible to eligible students, including:
Federal Grants
The Federal Pell Grant is the foundation source for all other aid programs. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances.
Eligibility
Federal Pell Grants usually are awarded only to undergraduate students who display exceptional financial need and have not earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree.
Award Amount
Amounts can change yearly. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award is $7,395 for the 2025–2026 award year (July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026). The amount you get, though, will depend on:
- Your Expected Family Contribution
- Your Cost of Attendance (Link to Cost of Attendance)
- Your status as a full-time or part-time student
- Your plans to attend school for a full academic year or less
Application Process
All applicants are required to submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the Pell Grant. No other need-based assistance grants, loans, or work-study can be awarded until a student’s eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant is determined.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (SEOG)
The SEOG grant is specifically intended to undergraduate students with the lowest EFC number (0) as determined by your FAFSA. If you are no longer eligible to receive a Pell Grant award due to having exceeded the Pell Grant lifetime eligibility limit you will also no longer be eligible to receive this grant.
All applicants are required to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is a federal grant program that provides funding to students who plan to become teachers in high-need fields and serve in low-income schools.
Unlike most grants, the TEACH Grant includes a service obligation. If the required teaching service is not completed, the grant will be converted into a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan, which must be repaid with interest.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the TEACH Grant, students must meet all of the following:
- Be enrolled in an eligible undergraduate or graduate program at an approved institution
- Be working toward a degree or certification in a field that leads to teaching
- Agree to teach:
- In a high-need subject area, and
- At a low-income elementary or secondary school
- Meet academic achievement requirements, such as:
- A cumulative GPA of at least 3.25, or
- Scoring above the 75th percentile on a college admissions test (if applicable)
- Complete required TEACH Grant counseling and sign the Agreement to Serve (ATS) each year
Award Amount
Eligible students may receive up to:
- $4,000 per year in TEACH Grant funds
The actual amount may be reduced due to:
- Federal sequestration limits
- Enrollment level (full-time vs. part-time)
- Other financial aid received
The TEACH Grant is typically split into two disbursements, one per semester.
Service Obligation (Important)
Recipients must complete a teaching service requirement:
- Teach full-time for at least four years
- Within eight years of completing the program
- In an approved:
- High-need subject area, and
- Low-income school
If the service requirement is not met, the TEACH Grant will convert to a loan that must be repaid with interest backdated to the original disbursement date.
Application Process
Students interested in the TEACH Grant must complete the following steps:
- File the FAFSA
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at:
https://studentaid.gov - Contact the SRSU Financial Aid Office
TEACH Grant eligibility is based on enrollment in an approved program. - Complete TEACH Grant Counseling
Required counseling must be completed each year at:
https://studentaid.gov - Sign the Agreement to Serve (ATS)
Students must sign an electronic agreement confirming the teaching service obligation. - Maintain Eligibility Each Year
Continued funding depends on meeting academic and program requirements annually.
State Grants
TEXAS Grant: Provides financial assistance to undergraduate, in-state students with financial need who are enrolled at Texas colleges or universities. Learn more at: https://www.hhloans.com/types-of-financial-aid/toward-excellence-access-and-success-grant-program-texas-grant/
Texas Public Education Grant: Provides financial assistance to undergraduate, in-state students with financial need who are enrolled at Texas colleges or universities. Learn more at: https://www.hhloans.com/types-of-financial-aid/texas-public-educational-grant-program-tpeg/
Institutional Grants
Lobo Grant: The Lobo Grant is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Texas and are pursuing a degree. To qualify, students must be enrolled at least half-time and demonstrate financial need.
Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG): The TPEG is available to undergraduate and graduate students who are residents of Texas and are pursuing a degree. Similar to the Lobo Grant, recipients must be enrolled at least half-time and demonstrate financial need.
TPEG Non-Resident Grant: The TPEG Non-Resident Grant is specifically designated for eligible undergraduate and graduate students who are not residents of Texas but are pursuing a degree. To qualify, students must be enrolled at least half-time and demonstrate financial need.
Money borrowed directly from the U.S. government and must be repaid when enrollment drops to less than half time or the student graduates.
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan (Undergraduate)
- Available to eligible degree-seeking undergraduate students with financial need.
- No interest is charged while you are enrolled at least half-time or during grace periods.
Annual Loan Limits:
- Freshman: $3,500
- Sophomore: $4,500
- Junior/Senior: $5,500
Loans are available each year until the lifetime limit is reached.
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan (Undergraduate & Graduate)
- Available to undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of financial need.
- Interest begins accruing immediately after the loan is disbursed.
- Repayment of principal and interest may be deferred while you remain enrolled at least half-time.
Undergraduate Annual Loan Limits:
- Freshman: $5,500
- Sophomore: $6,500
- Junior/Senior: $7,500
If you also qualify for a Subsidized Loan, you may receive up to $2,000 additional in Unsubsidized funds per year.
Graduate Students:
- Offered loan amounts to help cover tuition and fees each year.
- May request an increase for additional educational expenses using a Change Request Form, as long as lifetime eligibility has not been reached.
Students may visit https://studentaid.gov for more information on repayment, interest rates, life-time eligibility, or other questions.
Employment opportunities are available to SRSU students through Federal Work Study as part of the financial assistance program. Work Study allows students to earn money to help with educational expenses while working on campus. These jobs provide valuable work experience, with flexible hours, students can work up to 20 hours a week.
Who is eligible
To receive college work study funds. Students have to apply for Financial Aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and also turning in all required documents to the Financial Aid Office. Students must be enrolled in at least six hours and must meet the requirements of Satisfactory Academic Progress, students must have at least a 2.0 GPA and have course completion rate of 70%. Students must also be hired by a department on campus.
Where Can I find work-study jobs?
On-campus employers must submit the job to Human Resources for review and approval. You can apply directly to on campus departments and ask if there are any work study jobs. You can also go to the SRSU Employment Opportunities and search and apply for open positions. Although you are not guaranteed a job, we encourage you to look early and often in order to be more likely to obtain one.
How do I get paid?
You are paid monthly, based on the dates specified by the payroll office in Human Resources. Your time records must be submitted on time to Human Resources.
You must be paid at least the minimum wage. Wage must be within reason to the position and other employees in a similar position.
Texas offers various programs that exempt or waive tuition, fees, and other expenses related to attending public institutions of higher education. Exemptions programs are available through the Records and Registration Department.
Learn more at: https://www.mytexasfuture.org/middle-high-school/college-for-all-texans-content-has-moved/?ID=458
Loans that are non-federal education financed and are offered by private lenders.
To view the preferred lender list, view the link: Preferred Lender List