Grants
Federal Pell Grant
A Federal Pell Grant is a need-based grant awarded to eligible undergraduate students who complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
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Eligibility
To be eligible, students must meet all of the following requirements:
- Must NOT have already earned a bachelor’s degree or higher
- Must NOT have received a Federal Pell Grant for more than six years or the equivalent of 12 semesters at full-time enrollment.
- Must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Must have a qualifying Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined by your FAFSA.
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EFC
The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated based on your FAFSA data and will determine how much need based aid you qualify for. Federal Pell Grant awarding is set based on these EFC eligibility ranges published every year.
2023-2024 EFC Eligibility for Pell 0 – 6656 Pell Grant eligible EFCs above 4400 requires 6+ hours enrollment
EFCs above 5900 requires 9+ hours enrollment
EFCs above 6400 requires 12+ enrollment6657 or Higher Not Pell Grant eligible -
Federal Pell Grant is awarded to eligible students in the summer. Eligibility will vary based on your fall/spring Pell awards and your summer enrollment.
Year Round Pell
- If you have earned your full Federal Pell Grant for the fall and spring (earned Pell for 12 hours in fall and in spring), you may still qualify for additional Pell in the summer known as Year-Round Pell. To be eligible, you must maintain enrollment in at least 6 credit hours.
- Year-Round Pell will pay out at the full award amount for 12 credit hours of summer enrollment, and at a prorated (reduced) amount for 6-11 hours of summer enrollment.
Remaining Pell
- If you did not earn your full Federal Pell Grant award for the fall and spring, you may qualify for additional Pell in the summer known as Residual Pell. Student’s eligible summer award will be based on how much Pell was left unused from the fall and spring.
- Residual Pell will pay out at the full award amount for 12 credit hours of summer enrollment, and at a prorated (reduced) amount for 1-11 hours of summer enrollment.
Federal Pell Grant FAQs
Federal Pell Grants do not have to be repaid unless there is a decrease in enrollment after receiving the funds. Any decrease in enrollment due to withdrawing, being withdrawn, or dropping classes might result in having to pay a portion or all of the Federal Pell Grant back.
No, Federal Pell Grants must be repaid in order to continue receiving financial aid. This includes future Federal Pell Grant Funds, Federal Direct Loans and Work Study.
No, the Title IV Consolidation Appropriation Act of 2012 limits Federal Pell Grant payments to six (6) years of full-time enrollment. Students who exceed this timeframe can no longer receive a Federal Pell Grant, but may be able to apply for Federal Direct Loans, Work-Study, or other state grants or scholarships.
The total award in your ACES Award Summary will be divided and issued between the Fall and Spring semesters.
Example: A student who is awarded $5,600 in Federal Pell Grant can receive a maximum of $2,800 in the Fall and again in the Spring, depending on the "official" number of hours in which the student is enrolled on the census date.
After dividing your total award for the year in half, the maximum amount you are eligible to receive for the semester is based upon full-time (12 hours) enrollment. If you enroll in less than 12 hours, the amount of Pell Grant paid will be prorated to match the actual hours for which you are enrolled at the time of credit to your account, and up through the census date.
Example: A student who is eligible to receive a total Federal Pell Grant of $2,800 for the semester but enrolls in only six (6) hours will have the amount decreased to a total award payment of $1,400. Federal Pell Grant funds incrementally decrease for enrollment between 9-11 hours, 6-8 hours, and 1-5 hours.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) is a need-based grant awarded to eligible undergraduate students who have been awarded a Federal Pell Grant and have maximum financial need. Funds are on a first-come, first-served basis.
To be eligible, students must meet all of the following requirements:
- Must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file
- Must be Federal Pell Grant eligible
- Must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Must be enrolled at least half-time (please note: this grant is subject to proration based on actual hours enrolled)
Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)
The Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG) is a need-based grant made available through each college’s resources. Priority is given to students with little or no Federal Pell Grant eligibility, and funds are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Funds are available for Texas resident, out-of-state, and foreign students and can range from $200-$2000 per year.
To be eligible, students must meet all of the following requirements:
- Must complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)
- Must have need as determined by your financial aid application
- Must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Must be enrolled at least half-time (please note: this grant is subject to proration based on actual hours enrolled)
Texas Public Education Grant – Continuing Education (TPEG-CE)
The Texas Public Education Grant for Continuing Education (TPEG-CE) is a need-based grant designed to help Texas resident students cover tuition and fees for career or occupational-related courses. Funds are on a first-come, first-served basis and do not cover the cost of books, materials, tools or any other supplies.
Steps to Apply:
- Complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)
- Complete the Alamo Colleges District Texas Public Education Grant-Continuing Education Application
- Must meet approved Continuing Education program requirements
- Must be registered in an eligible CE program
- Not permitted to pursue another approved CE program and/or academic career without completing currently enrolled certificate
If students register for classes before the TPEG-CE award is approved, they must set up a self-payment or third party payment at the time of registration.
Important Information:
- Applications are accepted for currently enrolled courses only. Reimbursements are not made for completed courses.
- Students must pay for any tuition and fees not covered by TPEG-CE.
Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)
The Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) is a need-based grant funded by the State of Texas, awarded to students enrolled at Texas public two-year colleges like the Alamo Colleges District.
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Initial Eligbility
- Must be a Texas Resident
- Must complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)
- Must have financial need with a priority estimated family contribution (EFC) equal to or less than 6,464
- Must be enrolled at least half-time per semester in a degree program
- Must be within the first 30 hours of college credit earned (excludes dual credit)
The forms below must be completed no later than 45 days after receiving the initial TEOG offer notification to their ACES email:
- The State Financial AId Eligibility Form: Student will self certify whether they have been convicted of any felony; or any offense involving a controlled substance. Student will also self certify whether they are more than 30 days late in making a child support payment.
- Selective Service Statement of Registration Status: Student will self certify that they are registered for Selective Service or be exempt.
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Renewal Eligbility
- Must be a Texas Resident
- Must complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA)
- Must have financial need
- Must be enrolled at least half-time per semester in a degree program
- Must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and meet the following each year:
- Must have 75% successful completion of attempted hours
- Must have a 2.5 GPA
- Must not have been convicted of any felony; or any offense involving a controlled substance
- Must not be more than 30 days late in making a child support payment
- Must be registered for Selective Service or are exempt
TEOG Grant FAQs
Students who meet the renewal requirements each year may continue to receive TEOG until one of the following events occurs first:
- Student reaches the four year maximum time frame since receiving their first award
- Student reaches 75 attempted hours of college credit
- Student earns an associate's degree
No, financial aid is offered based upon the expectation of full-time enrollment in 12 credit hours. TEOG will be prorated, or have a percent based recalculation, if you are enrolled between 6-11 credit hours.
| Full-Time | 3/4 Time | Half-Time |
| 12 Hours | 9-11 Hours | 6-8 Hours |
| 100% of Original Offer | 75% of Original Offer | 50% of Original Offer |
Yes, students awarded TEOG for the first-time at the Alamo Colleges District must accept their award on ACES within 45 days. An email notification will be sent to your Alamo email address once you have been awarded to ensure you don't miss your opportunity to accept.
Yes, students may submit a hardship appeal to potentially regain their TEOG award. These appeals will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. A student who is currently ineligible for a TEOG based on the following eligibility criteria will be considered:
- GPA or completion rate that falls below SAP requirements.
- Enrollment in less than 6 credit hours.
- Attempted 75 or more credit hours.
- Reached the maximum 4 year limit.
