Grants and Work Study
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Federal Pell Grant
This grant is available to qualifying students who complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which can be found on their website. Pell eligible students may receive the Pell Grant for up to 12 full time semesters or its equivalent. Pell Grants are not available to students who have already received a bachelor’s degree. The Pell grant eligibility for a student is determined based on the amounts set by U.S. Department of Education based on estimated family contribution.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
The federal government established this program for students with high financial need. Graduate students or students who have already received a bachelor’s degree are not eligible for FSEOG. The actual amount and qualification is determined after the FAFSA is submitted for processing. Awards from this program are based on the availability of funds.
Texas Grant
The Towards Excellence, Access and Success (TEXAS) Grant is offered to make sure that well-prepared high school graduates with financial need can attend public institutions of higher education in Texas. Recipients must be Texas residents, never convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance, demonstrate financial need, have an estimated family contribution less than or equal to the state mandated EFC cap, and registered for the Selective Service or exempt from this requirement. Recipients must also be a graduate of an accredited high school in Texas not earlier than the 1998-99 school year, complete the recommended high school program or Distinguished Achievement program in high school, enrolled in a non-profit public college or university in Texas within 16 months of graduation from a public or accredited private high school in Texas, and have accumulated no more than 30 semester credit hours, excluding those earned for dual or concurrent courses or awarded for credit by examination (AP, IB, or CLEP). Learn more about the TEXAS Grant.
Federal TEACH Grant for Undergraduate Students
The federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is a non-need-based grant available to undergraduates enrolled in an eligible program and who agree to teach as a highly qualified teacher in a high-need field at a low-income elementary or secondary school for at least four years, within eight years of completing the academic program for which the TEACH Grant was awarded. Up to $4,000 per year is available for the first baccalaureate, to a maximum of $16,000 over four years. Although students can receive up to $4,000 per year, the amount is prorated by semester and by on enrollment status. Learn more about federal TEACH Grants.
UTRGV Tuition Advantage
The Tuition Advantage program will cover a gap in tuition and mandatory fee expenses, up to available need, per semester for the regular academic year (fall and spring) that is not being covered by other forms of gift aid (grant and/or scholarships) including Federal, State, private and institutional aid.
To be eligible, students must:
- Have a family income of $125,000 or less
- Have financial need as reported on the FAFSA/TASFA
- Be a Texas resident
- Be enrolled for 15 hours or more per semester
- Be enrolled as an undergraduate in a degree-seeking program towards a first Bachelors’ degree
- Have completed full FAFSA/TASFA process by April 1st priority deadline
- Admitted to UTRGV by March 1st priority deadline
- Entering freshmen must have an ACT composite of 19, SAT 990 or be in the top 10% of the graduating class.
New Transfer students must have a 2.5 overall GPA.
- Returning students must meet the satisfactory academic progress requirements and have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
For additional information, please visit UTRGV Tuition Advantage.
Tuition Advantage is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and fund availability
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Federal TEACH Grant for Graduate Students
The federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant is a non-need-based grant available to graduate students who are highly qualified teachers returning to earn a master's degree in a TEACH Grant eligible program and who agree to continue teaching as a highly qualified teacher in a high-need field at a low-income elementary or secondary school for at least four years, within eight years of completing the academic program for which the TEACH Grant was awarded. Up to $4,000 per year is available for a master’s degree, to a maximum of $8,000 over two years. Although students can receive up to $4,000, the amount is prorated by semester and by enrollment status. Learn more about federal TEACH Grants.
Graduate Tuition Assistance Grant (GTAG)
GTAG is a need-based grant awarded to students who demonstrate financial need as defined on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Funds for this program are very limited. Students will be awarded until all available funds are exhausted. It is recommended that students complete their FAFSA soon after it becomes available on October 1st to increase their potential for receiving the GTAG.
Graduate Resource Grant
This new grant will be available to Graduate students in both traditional and accelerated online programs (excluding medical doctor students) and eligible students may receive up to $2,000 ($1,000 per Fall/Spring term) based on their financial need as determined by their FAFSA. Lean more about the grant on the website.
ALL STUDENTS
Federal Work Study Program
The Federal Work-Study Program provides jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. This program allows the student to earn money to help pay educational expenses and also encourages community service work and work related to the student’s course of study.
The FWS salary will be at least the current federal minimum wage. Students employed by UTRGV through the Federal Work-Study Program will be paid bi-monthly.
Work-study employment may be on campus or off campus. If off campus, the employer is usually a private nonprofit organization or public agency, and the work performed must be in the public interest. The amount a student receives in wages under work-study cannot exceed the total amount awarded. The employer must consider the student’s class schedule when preparing the work schedule. Funds are limited; therefore, funds are awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted.
More information about work-study programs can be found on the department website.
Texas Public Educational Grant
A Texas Public Educational Grant is a campus-based grant for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. Funds for this program are very limited. Students will be awarded until all available funds are exhausted. It is recommended that students complete their FAFSA soon after it becomes available on October 1st to increase their potential for receiving the TPEG. If a student is awarded a TPEG at UTRGV, his/her/their account will be credited.