Grants

Grants are considered gift aid. Gift aid is the most valued source of financial aid because grant money does not have to be repaid.  Grants are awarded based on need.  There are several types of grants available for students at SPC.

Federal PELL Grant (PELL)

The PELL Grant is a federal program for undergraduate students obtaining their first bachelor’s degree.  The PELL Grant amount depends on family contribution and the number of hours for which each student is enrolled (full-time, three-quarter time, half-time, less than half-time).  It is always the first program to be considered for each applicant.  Students may not be eligible for the Federal PELL Grant and still qualify under another program.  If for a PELL grant, student must be enrolled in at least one collegel credit course each semester to be receive their grant.

Award Range:          $488-$2675 per semester

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

The SEOG is a federal grant program.  Awards are made based on the greatest need, lowest expected family contribution, and have met the Financial Aid Priority Deadlines.  The Financial Aid Office is responsible for selecting eligible students with the lowest family contributions and determining the amount of SEOG awards. 

Award Range:            $250 per semester

Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)

The Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005 (HERA) created two new grant programs: The ACG for first and second year students and the National SMART Grant for third and fourth year students.

The Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG) is a federal grant program awarded to first year (Freshmen) and second year (Sophomore) students. To receive the ACG grant a first year student must be receiving a PELL grant, must be enrolled as a full-time student, must be a U.S. citizen, and must have graduated from a rigorous High School Program in 2006.  To receive the ACG grant a second year student must meet the criteria of a first year student with a graduation date after January 1, 2005.  In addition a second year student must also have completed 24 college credit hours and earned at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (gpa) by the beginning of his/her second year. 

Award Range:             $750-$1300 per semester 

National Science and the Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (National SMART) - The SMART Grant is the second grant created by HERA in 2005 and is awarded to students during the third (Junior) and fourth (Senior) academic year.  South Plains College cannot participate in that program. 

TEXAS PUBLIC EDUCATION GRANT (TPEG)

The TPEG program is funded through tuition payments and is available for Texas residents and non-U.S. citizens who meet Texas state residency requirements with established financial need. The TPEG grant is primarily given during the summer sessions, but it is also awarded during the fall and spring semesters to students with special circumstances. Qualifying students should have completed the FAFSA form (for U.S. citizens) and TASFA form (for non-U.S. citizens). Students must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress Requirements to receive this grant. Students who want to apply for the fall and/or spring semesters should write a detailed letter to the Financial Aid Office explaining their situation. These awards are determined on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Financial Aid and are limited by fund availability.

TEXAS Grant

The TEXAS Grant (Toward Excellence, Access & Success) is a state grant for Texas residents who graduated from a public or accredited private high school in Texas no earlier than fall 1998.

Requirements:

• Students must have completed the Recommended or Advanced High School Program and must apply for and demonstrate financial need based on FAFSA results or
  
• Must have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $4,000 or less
  
• Have received an associate degree from an eligible institution no earlier than May 1, 2001, and must re-enroll within 12 months of receiving that degree
  
• Enroll in at least 9 hours in an undergraduate degree or certificate program within 16 months of your high school graduation unless they have been granted a hardship waiver
  
• Can not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance.

To be eligible for the TEXAS Grant the following year, the student must complete 24 semester credit hours during his/her freshman year and have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.5.

Award Range:            $865 per semester

Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)

A state grant for Texas residents who have completed the basic high school graduation or the GED requirements  and are attending public community colleges..

Requirements:

• Students must have an expected family contribution $2,000 or less (based on FAFSA results)
  
• Students must be enrolled in at least six hours in the first 30 hours of an associate degree or certificate program at a two year institution of higher education unless they have been granted a hardship waiver
  
• Students must be Texas Residents (Non-U.S. citizens may be eligible if the Office of Admissions and Records determines that the student is a Texas resident
  
• Students must not have been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance
  

Charley Wootan Grant Program 

• Are high school seniors or graduates who plan to enroll, or are students already enrolled, at least half-time in an undergraduate course of study for the fall 2008 at a Title IV two- or four-year college or university, or vocational-technical school.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Are eligible to receive Title IV federal financial aid funding.