Helping guarantee all Texas children have access to a higher education, regardless of their family's financial resources.
In an initiative to increase access to higher education, Texas State University-San Marcos has developed the Bobcat Promise. This program guarantees free tuition and mandatory fees for 15 credit hours per semester to new entering freshmen with a family adjusted gross income that does not exceed $25,000.
Eligible students must apply and be accepted for admission, as well as submit a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), no later than March 15 prior to the upcoming academic year in order to receive the guaranteed funds. Students may qualify for the program for up to eight continuous long semesters (fall and spring). This program will provide up to the cost of 15 credit hours of tuition and fees each fall and spring semester (an award in excess of $8,800 per academic year).
Under the Bobcat Promise, tuition and mandatory fees will be paid through a combination of federal, state and institutional funds. These funds include, but are not limited to, PELL Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), TEXAS Grant, Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG), Texas State Tuition Grant (TSTG), institutional scholarships, college work study, etc. The Bobcat Promise plan will be in effect beginning fall 2009.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Bobcat Promise, you must:
Disclaimer - In accordance with NCAA rules, current and prospective student-athletes will be awarded on an individual basis. In some cases, certain forms of financial assistance (such as those offered via the Bobcat Promise) may not be awarded to or accepted by a student-athlete.
Renewal Criteria
To continue being eligible for the Bobcat Promise after the first year, you must:
Any combination of aid, including outside scholarships, will not exceed the cost of attendance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your adjusted gross income (AGI) is found on your tax transcript. If you are a dependent student, eligibility for the Bobcat Promise is based on your parents' AGI. If you are an independent student, eligibility is based on you and your spouse's (if applicable) AGI.
Unfortunately, due to limited funds, the Bobcat Promise is available only to first-time entering freshman students.
Yes. You must maintain full-time enrollment, maintain at least a cumulative 2.0 Texas State GPA (reviewed each May) and have completed at least 15 credit hours per semester during the previous academic year (fall and spring semesters). In addition, you must meet the institutional and program-specific (e.g., TEXAS Grant) Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
Yes, as long as you meet the renewal requirements and your family AGI is $25,000 or less for the tax year required on the FAFSA.
Through this program, Texas State will provide you with up to the cost of 15 credit hours of tuition and fees each fall and spring semester (an award in excess of $8,800 per academic year).
No. The Bobcat Promise only applies to enrollment during the fall and spring semesters.
To be eligible for the Bobcat Promise, you must meet all applicable deadlines.
Yes. Students entering in the spring will be awarded based on the Bobcat Promise guidelines. The FAFSA and all required documentation (e.g., Admissions application) must still be completed by March 31.
Yes. Freshmen who enter in the summer will be considered the same as new first-time freshmen entering in the fall. The Bobcat Promise will be awarded for the fall and spring semesters only (not summer). The FAFSA and all required documentation must still be completed by March 31.
If you qualify for the Bobcat Promise in your initial year but the AGI goes above $25,000 in a subsequent year, you will not qualify for the Bobcat Promise during that year. Regardless, you are encouraged to apply for financial aid each year. If your situation changes in a subsequent year and the AGI is $25,000 or less, you would be eligible to receive the Bobcat Promise again during that year.
No. Qualifying students must be Texas residents.
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