Grants

All grants, unless otherwise noted, are awarded based upon the hours of enrollment and will be adjusted accordingly on the census date of each semester.

• Federal Pell Grant Program
  A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's or professional degree. For many students, Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be added.
  
  
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
  This grant is for undergraduates with exceptional financial need, and gives priority to students who receive Federal Pell Grants. You do not have to repay an FSEOG.
  
  
• Texas Public Education Grant (TPEG)
  The TPEG program provides limited state funds for undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. To qualify, students must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 credit hours per semester. Annual award amounts range from $200 to $3000. Funds are available on a first come, first serve basis.
  
  
• Texas Grant
  In order to qualify for the Texas Grant you must:
• Be a Texas resident
• Complete the Recommended, or Distinguished High School Program
• Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine your financial need
• Apply and be accepted by a non-profit Texas college or university of your choice
• Enroll at least three quarter time in an undergraduate degree or certificate program within 16 months of your high school graduation, and
• Have not been convicted of a felony or a crime involving a controlled substance.
  
  The TEXAS Grant will pay for your tuition and fees at a public college or university in Texas. To find out more about the Texas Grant, you can visit the web site: www.CollegeForTexans.com
  
• Academic Competitive Grant (ACG):
  • Be a U.S. Citizen
  • Complete the Recommended or Distinguished High School Program or met other rigorous requirements established by the U.S. Dept. of Education after January 1, 2006
  • Be enrolled full time
  • Maintain an overall GPA of a 3.0 GPA after completion of first academic year (24 hours)
  • Only eligible for 2 academic years (up to 48 hours) $750 annually for 1st year, and $1300 for 2nd year
    
• National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART)
  • Be a U.S. Citizen
  • Be enrolled full time
  • Have a declared major that meets U.S. Dept of Education requirements in math and science and be enrolled full time in hours that lead to completion of that program
  • Maintain an overall GPA of a 3.0
  • Only eligible for 2 years after they have earned 48 semester hours and ending once they have earned 96 hours
  • Eligible for up to $4000 per year Loans
    

Loans

Student Loan Program Chart

• Federal Stafford Loans
  (Federal Family Educational Loans)
  At Lamar University any student who wishes to be reviewed for a Stafford loan must submit a completed Undergraduate Loan Worksheet once all their processing is complete.
  
  Federal Stafford Loans (Stafford Loans) are the Department's major form of self-help aid and are available through the Federal Family Educational Loan (FFEL) Program. The funds for your Stafford Loan will come to you from a bank, credit union, or other lender that participates in the FFEL Program. Loans are available to undergraduate or graduate students. Students have the option to choose any lender that participates in the FFEL program whether or not thay are on the Lamar University Lender List.
  
  The FFEL programs also offer PLUS Loans for parents of dependent students and Consolidation Loans. All Lamar University FFEL loans come in EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) when the students choose a lender that utilizes TG (Texas Guarantee). Any FFEL loan that does not go through TG will come in a paper check. The time necessary for those loan funds to arrive vary by lender, the time of year they are processed, and the manual processes placed on our office.
  
  Stafford Loans are either subsidized or unsubsidized. A subsidized loan is awarded on the basis of financial need. The federal government pays interest on the loan ("subsidizes" the loan) until you begin repayment and during authorized periods of deferment. An unsubsidized loan is not awarded on the basis of need. You'll be charged interest from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full.
  
  
• Federal Perkins Loan Program (PERK)
  A Federal Perkins Loan is a low-interest (5 percent) loan for both undergraduate and graduate students with exceptional financial need. Your school is your lender and the loan is made with government funds. You must repay this loan to your school.
  
  
• B On Time Loan Program
  The Texas Legislature has created the B-On-Time Student Loan Program. You can find information about this loan program at B-On-Time.

  At this time the B-On-Time Loan Program is a “need” based loan program providing non interest bearing loans with a provision for loan forgiveness if the student meets defined criteria. The B-On-Time loan program is designed for students qualifying for the TEXAS Grant when schools do not have enough funds to be able to provide these students a TEXAS Grant. Because of this guideline Lamar University will not award a B-On-Time Loan until ALL Texas Grant funds have been awarded and disbursed for the current academic year.

  There are no additional forms to fill out to become eligible for a B-On-Time Student Loan. Each eligible student will be contacted by Lamar University’s Office of Student Financial Aid and directed as to what steps need to be taken if they choose to accept a B-On-Time Loan once it has been awarded to them.

  As with all grant programs, funds are limited, and as a “need’ based program funds are awarded first to students having the greatest need.

Work-Study Program (Federal & State)

• The purpose of the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program—formerly called the College Work-Study (CWS) Program--is to give part-time employment to undergraduate and graduate students who need the income to help meet the costs of postsecondary education.

  The program encourages community service work and work related to each student’s course of study. The work-study Program provides an opportunity for students with financial need to earn money to help pay their educational expenses. Not all students with financial need are guaranteed to receive work-study. Students are generally awarded work-study based on availability of funding, on a first-come, first-serve basis to students enrolled at six hours and who demonstrate financial need. Work-study gives you, the student an opportunity to “earn as you learn.” Individuals on the work-study program are paid on a monthly basis for hours worked. Students can work at least 20 hours or less and currently earn $6.75 an hour. Employment in Lamar University’s work-study Program is not a right but a privilege and as such you are expected to take your work seriously. Students accepting a “work-study” award are expected to secure a work-study position in which they may “earn” their work-study award. Acceptance of a “work-study Award” does not guarantee a work-study job. To obtain assistance in obtaining a “work-study” job you may want to contact Lamar University’s Office of Student Financial Aid or any of the many departmental and administrative offices on Lamar University’s campus.
  Student Work-Study Application
  Department Work-Study Student Request

Exemptions/Waivers

• Tuition exemptions for certain Texas Students:
  www.collegefortexans.com
  
• Waivers of tuition and/or fees for certain students who are not Texas residents including information on Hazlewood please visit the following
  link: :
  www.collegefortexans.com