State Aid in Texas

1. State Aid in Texas TASFAA New Aid Officers Workshop May 13, 2014 Lyn Wheeler Kinyon Assistant Director, Grants and Special Programs Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board

2. Topics • Role of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board • General Overview of Financial Aid in Texas • General Overview of the Eligibility Requirements for the State Financial Aid Programs • Questions

3. Governing Authorities • Institutional • Administration • Governing Board • Federal • Department of Education (DOE) • State • Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)

4. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) • Created by the Texas Legislature in 1965 • Purpose: • Provide leadership and coordination for the Texas higher education system • Responsibilities: • Assess the state of higher education in Texas; • Develop recommendations to the Legislature, Governor, and institutions for its enhancement; and • Establish policies for the efficient and effective use of the state’s higher education resources.

5. Divisions of the Agency • Workforce, Academic Affairs and Research • Academic Affairs and Research • Planning and Accountability • P-16 Initiatives • Finance and Administration • Business and Support Services • Business Office • Grants and Special Programs (G&SP) * • Loan Programs Operations (LPO) * • Information Technology • Human Resources * Main areas that work closely with colleagues in the financial aid community

6. G&SP and LPO Responsibilities • Provide customer service to students, families, and institutions • Provide training • Interpret legislation and develop rules • Allocate available funding and process funding requests • Process applications, collect student loan payments, and process benefits • Perform program reviews and audits • Collect and provide information requested by the Legislature

7. The Birth of a State Program • Legislature passes a statute authorizing a program • Legislature appropriates funds for the program – or not • THECB writes & adopts rules – if applicable • Programs are administered as: • Decentralized (Campus-Based) - THECB allocates funding, applications submitted through the institution, institution selects recipients, THECB supplies funding, and the institution submits reports to the THECB. • Solely at the institutional level - applications submitted through the institution, institution determines eligibility, and THECB supplies no funding. • Centralized(THECB-Based) - applications submitted to the THECB, THECB determines eligibility, and THECB notifies institution of award.

8. Types of State Programs Grant, Scholarship, Loan, and Work Programs as well as Exemption Programs Exempt tuition and/or fees for certain groups of eligible students and Waiver Programs Waive tuition rates for non-resident students

9. Sources of Aid in Texas (FY13)

10. Institutional Participation • Eligible institutions: • Are defined in statute • Have signed agreements/MOU’s with the CB • Administer programs via state statutes and CB rules • Complete required funding processes and reports • Are subject to audits and program reviews

11. Federal vs. State • Eligible Student: • Federal – citizen or eligible non-citizen • State – resident of Texas • Shadowing of Federal Processes: • Federal Methodology (FM) Calculation • FAFSA – citizen or eligible non-citizen • TASFA – non citizen or ineligible non-citizen, but resident of Texas • Verification Guidelines/Requirements • Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Guidelines/Requirements

12. State Priority Deadline – March 15 • To aid in prioritizing limited funding to eligible students and to provide consistency for Texas students at Texas institutions • Though all institutions are encouraged to advertise and implement, implementation of the priority deadline is required at the General Academic Teaching Institutions or GATI’s (public universities, Lamar-Orange, and Lamar-Port Arthur). • Institutions have the flexibility to define what it means to meet the deadline – except for the Top 10 Percent Scholarship Program which is defined in rule

13. Common Threads • Initial Year (IY) and Renewal Year (RY) eligibility requirements • Texas residency • Selective Service Registration • Calculated need or need component • Encourage student efficiency through: • Enrollment – sufficient and timely • Performance – GPA and successful completion of attempted SCH’s • Program Completion – timely

14. Toward EXcellence, Access, & Success (TEXAS) Grant • Provide grants to academically-prepared needy students at public institutions • Beginning 14/15, public 2-year institutions will only be able to make RY awards to eligible students with an IY award prior to fall 2014 • Funded through appropriations and gifts • CB allocates available funding to participating institutions annually • Student eligibility: • Initial year (IY) “basic” eligibility requirements • Initial year (IY) “priority model” eligibility requirements • Renewal year (RY) or continuation eligibility requirements • Maximum award amounts determined annually

15. TEXAS Grant – IY Basic Eligibility • Basic Requirements: • Classified as a Texas resident by the institution • Registered with Selective Service, or exempt • No felony conviction or crime involving a controlled substance • Demonstration of financial need and EFC cap • 9-month EFC cap for 13/14 = $4,620 • 9-month EFC cap for 14/15 = $4,800 • Enroll at least ¾-time as an undergraduate baccalaureate student who is in one of the four initial eligibility avenues

16. TEXAS Grant – IY Basic Eligibility • Incoming student who: Graduated from an accredited public or private high school in Texas after completing the Foundation, Recommended, or Distinguished Achievement high school program or the equivalent; and enrolls within 16 months from high school graduation having not accumulated more than 30 SCH’s (excluding credits for dual enrollment or by examination). • Incoming student who: Earned an associate’s degree from a public or private nonprofit institution of higher education in Texas, and enrolls within 12 months after receiving the associate’s degree. • Incoming student who: Graduated from an accredited public or private high school in Texas May 1, 2013 or later after completing the Foundation, Recommended, or Distinguished Achievement high school program or the equivalent; enlisted in military service within 12 months of high school graduation; and enrolls within 12 months of receiving an honorable discharge. • Incoming transfer student who: Transfers into a public university in Texas with at least 24 SCH’s and a 2.5 GPA; and received an initial year (IY) Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) in Fall 2014 or later.

17. TEXAS Grant – IY Priority Model • Priority Model Requirements: • Meet the basic IY eligibility requirements • Meet the state priority deadline • Meet the requirements in at least 2 of the following 4 areas:

18. TEXAS Grant – RY Eligibility • Enroll at least ¾-time as: • an undergraduate student who previously received an IY award prior to fall 2014; or • an undergraduate student enrolled in a baccalaureateprogram who received an IY award fall 2014 or later. • Maintain: • classification as a resident of Texas • registration with Selective Service, or exemption • no felony conviction or crime involving a controlled substance • financial need (no EFC cap) • Meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements

19. TEXAS Grant – SAP • GPA • End of initial year – institution’s SAP policy • End of successive years – minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA • Completion Rate • End of initial year – institution’s SAP policy • End of successive years –24 SCH’s successfully completed for the year • Maximum Time Frame • Entering HS Graduates – 5 years for a 4 year degree or 6 years for a degree requiring > 4 years; 150 SCH attempted while receiving the grant; or completion of a baccalaureate degree – whichever comes first • Entering with an associate’s degree – 3 years for a 4 year degree or 4 years for a degree requiring > 4 years; 90 SCH attempted while receiving the grant; or completion of a baccalaureate degree – whichever comes first • Entering as a transfer with prior TEOG – # of Years/SCH’s TBD; or completion of a baccalaureate degree

20. Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) • Provide grants to needy students at public 2-year institutions • Funded through appropriations • CB allocates available funding to participating institutions annually • Student Eligibility: • Initial year (IY) eligibility requirements • Renewal year (RY) or continuation eligibility requirements • Maximum award amounts determined annually • Prior to 2014-15 – maximum award for 6 SCH’s or more • Beginning 2014-15 – award proration required • 12 or more SCH’s through census date – 100% of maximum award • 9 to 11 SCH’s through census date – 75% of maximum award • 6 to 8 SCH’s through census date – 50% of maximum award

21. TEOG – IY Eligibility • Classified as a Texas resident by the institution • Registered with Selective Service, or exempt • No felony conviction or crime involving a controlled substance • Demonstration of financial need • 9-month EFC cap for 13/14 = $2,000 • 9-month EFC cap for 14/15 = $4,800 • Enroll at least ½-time as an entering undergraduate student having not accumulated more than 30 SCH’s (excluding credits for dual enrollment or by examination)

22. TEOG – RY Eligibility • Enroll at least ½-time as: • An undergraduate student who previous received an IY TEOG award • Maintain: • classification as a resident of Texas • registration with Selective Service, or exemption • no felony conviction or crime involving a controlled substance • financial need (no EFC cap) • Meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements

23. TEOG – SAP • GPA • End of initial year – institution’s SAP policy • End of successive years – minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA • Completion Rate • End of initial year – institution’s SAP policy • End of successive years –75% annual completion rate • Maximum Time Frame • 4 years, 75 SCH’s attempted while receiving the grant, or an associate’s degree – whichever comes first

24. Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) • Provide grants to needy students at private/independent non-profit institutions • Funded through appropriations • CB allocates available funding to participating institutions annually • Student eligibility: • Initial year (IY) eligibility requirements • Renewal year (RY) or continuation eligibility requirements • Maximum award amounts determined biennially

25. TEG – IY and RY Eligibility • Classified as a Texas resident by the institution, or a National Merit Finalist with at least $1,000 in scholarships • Registered with Selective Service, or exempt • Not currently receiving an athletic scholarship • Demonstration of financial need • Required to pay more tuition than is required at a comparable public institution • Enrolled at least ¾-time as an undergraduate or graduate student working on the first associate’s, baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral degree that does not lead to ordination or licensure to preach • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements

26. TEG – SAP • GPA • End of initial year – institution’s SAP policy • End of successive years – minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA • Completion Rate • End of initial year – institution’s SAP policy • End of successive years – minimum 75% annual completion rate; and 24 SCH’s successfully completed annually for an undergraduate or 18 SCH’s completed annually for a graduate • Maximum Time Frame • 5 years for a 4-year undergraduate degree • 6 years for a 5-year undergraduate degree • No limit for a graduate degree

27. Tuition Set-Aside Programs • Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG) • Provide grants to needy students at public institutions • Funded through statutory tuition set-asides • Allocated at the institutional level • Eligibility requirements: • Financial need • Register with Selective Service or be exempt (not required of community colleges) • Awarded based on institution’s policies and procedures • Eligibility continuation: • Renewal awards occur at the institution’s discretion • No statutory end to student eligibility

28. Tuition Set-Aside Programs • Designated Tuition Set-Aside Program – named by the institution • Provide need-based financial aid at public universities • Funded through designated tuition set-asides • Allocated at the institutional level • Eligibility requirements: • Financial need • Priority to students whose tuition/fee costs are not met through other non-loan programs • Awarded based on institution’s policies and procedures • Eligibility continuation: • Renewal awards occur at the institution’s discretion • No statutory end to student eligibility

29. Top 10 Percent Scholarship • Encourage outstanding high school graduates in the top 10 percent of their class to attend a public institution in Texas • Funded through appropriations • No allocation to institutions/funding administered centrally • Student eligibility: • Initial year (IY) eligibility requirements • Renewal year (RY) or continuation eligibility requirements • Award amounts determined annually

30. Top 10 – IY Eligibility • Classified as a Texas resident by the institution • Registration with Selective Service, or be exempt • Graduation from a public or private accredited high school in Texas in the top 10 percent of the HS graduating class • Completion of the Recommended or Distinguished (or the equivalent) curriculum • Submit the FAFSA in time to generate the CPS results in a non-rejected status by the state priority deadline (March 15), or the TASFA to the institution by the state priority deadline • Meet need component (COA – EFC – PELL > $0) • Enroll full-time in the fall semester immediately following high school graduation and maintain full-time enrollment through the census date

31. Top 10 – RY Eligibility • Submit the FAFSA in time to generate the CPS results in a non-rejected status by the state priority deadline (March 15), or submit the TASFA by the state priority deadline • Meet need component (COA – EFC – PELL > $0) • Enroll full-time in the fall semester and maintain full-time enrollment through the census date of the semester • Meet SAP requirements • Maintain a cumulative 3.25 GPA, successfully complete at least 30 SCH’s in the previous year, and successfully complete of at least 75% of the SCH’s attempted in the previous year • 4 years or completion of a Bachelor’s degree – whichever comes first

32. Texas B-On-Time Loan (BOT) • Provide eligible Texas students no-interest loans and/or loan forgiveness upon graduation for meeting specific goals • Funded through appropriations and designated tuition set-asides • CB allocates available funding to participating institutions annually • Eligibility requirements: • Texas resident enrolled full-time and eligible for federal aid • Eligibility continuation: • End of 1st year – institution’s SAP policy • Thereafter, overall GPA of 2.5; 75% completion in the most recent year • Eligibility ends with completion of a baccalaureate degree or 150 attempted SCH’s while receiving the loan • Repayment benefits: • Loan forgiveness if graduation time frame, GPA, and number of hours are within program guidelines – or 0% interest if not eligible for forgiveness

33. College Access Loan Program (CAL) • Provide alternative loans to Texas students who are unable to meet the cost of attendance at public and private/non-profit institutions. • Funded through the sale of state bonds • CB allocates available funding to participating institutions annually • Eligibility requirements: • Texas resident enrolled at least ½-time • Receive a favorable credit evaluation or provide an eligible cosigner who has a favorable credit standing (VantageScore≥591) • Meet the institution’s SAP policy

34. Texas College Work-Study (TCWS) • Provide eligible Texas students employment as a means to fund their education at public and private institutions • Funded through appropriations and subject to matching – unless proof is provided that matching is waived for FCWS • Eligibility requirements: • Enrolled at least ½-time • Texas resident as determined by the institution • Financial need • Registered with Selective Service (or exempt) • Not receiving an athletic scholarship • Not enrolled in a seminary or other religious program

35. Exemption/Waiver Programs Complete Listing: http://collegeforalltexans.com/

36. Contact Information Direct Contact Information: lyn.kinyon@thecb.state.tx.us 512.427.6393 or 800.242.3062 x6393General Contact Information : grantinfo@thecb.state.tx.us 512.427.6340 or 800.242.3062General Website: www.collegeforalltexans.com G&SP Site: https://www1.thecb.state.tx.us/apps/SpecialPrograms/ Distribution List: http://lists.state.tx.us/mailman/listinfo/txgnsp-l

37. Questions?