State Student Aid
State and Federal Grants and Scholarships provide financial aid that does not have to be repaid. Some grants and scholarships require students to maintain a certain grade point average (GPA) or take certain courses. Most grants are awarded based on financial need.
Federal Student Aid:
Financial aid is money for college or career school education expenses. This can come in the form of grants and loans. Grants do not have to be repaid (they are often called “gift aid”). Loans have to be repaid with interest. This is referred to as Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Some State and Federal Grants and Scholarship programs available to students at Texas colleges and universities include:
- Tuition Equalization Grant Program (TEG)
- TEA Grant Opportunities
- Federal PELL Grant
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
- TEACH Grant
- Marine Corps Foundation Scholarship
- National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship
- Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program
Institutional Aid:
Scholarships are funds that do not have to be repaid. Students should research scholarships and grants for which they might qualify. The U.S. Department of Labor has a free tool to search for scholarships that can help. Speak with the financial aid office at your university for advice and ideas. Ethnicity or heritage organizations, associations related to the field you want to study, and religious institutions are good sources to look into to help defray tuition costs.
Tax Options:
Tax benefits may be available for students paying for tuition. They can help reduce some of the costs you incur. The deduction that you qualify for will generally be calculated based on your income and the tuition paid. Speak with an accountant about maximizing your tax benefits while you pay for college tuition.
Employer Tuition Assistance:
For organizations offering some type of tuition assistance for employees, ACU agrees to defer payment for tuition and book fees until 60 days from each course start date and up to two days of processing time. When the deferral period ends, the payment is due. Students are responsible for payment of their tuition and electronic course materials fees regardless of receipt of payment from their employer.
Employer Student Loan Repayment Program Management:
Incentivize retention for 2+ years after hire by bridging education and career in a new way—through customized employer-sponsored student loan programs. Customize and commit upfront to repay employees’ loans after graduation in exchange for a future employment period.