Eligibility to Apply
In order to be considered for financial aid, you must meet the following criteria:
- *Be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an undergraduate degree-seeking or **post-baccalaureate teacher certificate program.
- ***Be enrolled at least half-time in courses that count toward your degree (6 hours for undergraduates).
- Make satisfactory academic progress.
- Not be in default on a federal student loan.
- Not owe a refund on any federal financial aid grant.
- Have a high school diploma, GED, or completion of high school in an approved homeschool setting.
- Have a valid Social Security number.
- Be registered with Selective Service (if required).
-
*
Non-citizens who are Texas residents may complete a Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).
-
**
Students enrolled only in a certificate program (other than the post-baccalaureate teacher certificate) are not eligible for financial aid. Aid is intended only for the teacher certificate program that is necessary to become a teacher in an elementary or secondary school in the state. Other educator preparation certificate programs, such as the superintendent and principal certificates, are not eligible for financial aid.
-
***
Financial aid is awarded to you on the assumption that you will be enrolled full time (in courses that count toward your degree) for the academic year. If you will not be enrolling as a full-time student, adjustments will need to be made to your awards and cost of attendance prior to disbursement. When determining your enrollment status, be sure to exclude any courses you have previously passed and are repeating for the second or subsequent time. Such courses are not aid eligible.
If you do not plan to enroll as a full-time student (in courses that count toward your degree) during the academic year, please complete the Enrollment Change Form. This form will need to be submitted prior to the disbursement of any Direct Loans. Please allow 7 – 10 business days for the processing of this form.
Census is the 12th class day of each fall and spring semester and the 4th class day in July for the summer semester. If you are not enrolled at least full time in courses that count toward your degree on the census date for the semester, but did not indicate as such via the Enrollment Change Form, your financial aid cost of attendance will be reduced and prorated based on your actual enrollment. Such a reduction may result in your becoming ineligible for financial aid that you have already received. As a result, you will be required, as set forth by federal regulations, to repay the aid for which you are no longer eligible.
Your enrollment status for financial aid purposes is based only on the hours for which you are actually enrolled and that count toward your degree. Federal rules do not permit us to adjust enrollment based on internships, student teaching or recommendations from the Office of Disability Services.
Also, the retaking of previously-passed coursework for the second or subsequent time cannot be considered for aid eligibility. If you are enrolled in such hours on the census day, your aid-eligible enrollment will be reduced, accordingly. Therefore, you may be required to repay any aid that you received for such courses. Census is the 12th class day of each fall and spring semester and the 4th class day in July for the summer semester.
