Tuition and Financial Aid

Types of Financial Aid

Basis for the Type of Financial Aid

The aid awarded to a student may consist of a loan, grant, scholarship, part-time job, or any combination of these programs. The total amount of aid the student receives depends on the student's cost of attendance, expected family contribution, meeting application deadlines, outside resources, academic history, and the availability of funds.

The following is a summary of the types of assistance that are available to students at The University of Texas at Dallas. The student should be aware that many of the programs are subject to change without notice by the state or federal government. Information on all programs may be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid unless otherwise noted.

Federal Pell Grant

The Federal Pell Grant Program provides funds to students demonstrating financial need. Students should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on-line at studentaid.gov to apply for this program. This grant is available to undergraduate students who are pursuing their first bachelor's degree.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

This federally funded program provides grants to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. Students completing a FAFSA will automatically be considered for this grant. Awards are based on the availability of funds and the student's financial need.

Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant

The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is a federal program that helps students pay their education expenses. However, the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant has special eligibility criteria.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant is available to students who are not eligible for the Federal Pell Grant based on their Expected Family Contribution but:

• They meet all of the other requirements of the Federal Pell Grant program, and
• Their parent or guardian was a member of the United States armed forces and died as a result of military service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after the events of 9/11, and
• They were under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of their parent's or guardian's death.

Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship

Under this scholarship, a Federal Pell Grant eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. To qualify for this scholarship, a student must be Pell-eligible and have a Pell-eligible Expected Family Contribution (EFC), and be less than 24 years of age or enrolled at an institution of higher education at the time of his or her parent's or guardian's death. In subsequent award years, the student continues to be eligible for the scholarship, as long as the student has a Pell-eligible EFC and continues to be an eligible student.

Toward Excellence, Access and Success Grant (TEXAS Grant)

The TEXAS Grant is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need and who are pursuing their first bachelor's degree. Because funds for this program are limited, it is important that students apply as early as possible. The TEXAS Grant award amount (including state, federal and institutional grant funds) is equal to the student's tuition and required fees. The application for this program is either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA).

To be eligible for an initial award, a student must:

• Be a Texas resident.
• Have not been convicted of a felony or crime involving a controlled substance.
• Demonstrate financial need.
• Have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than or equal to the limit set by the state of Texas.
• Register for selective service unless exempt from registration.
• Be enrolled for at least nine semester credit hours as one of the following:

An undergraduate student who:

• Graduated from an accredited high school in Texas.
• Completed the Foundation, Recommended, or Distinguished Achievement program (or the equivalent) in high school.
• Enrolled in a non-profit public college or university in Texas within 16 months of high school graduation having accumulated no more than 30 semester credit hours, excluding those hours earned for dual or concurrent courses or awarded for credit by examination (AP, IB, or CLEP).

An undergraduate student who:

• Earned an associate's degree from a public or private nonprofit institution of higher education in Texas.
• Enrolled in a non-profit public college or university in Texas within 12 months after receiving the associate's degree.

An undergraduate student who:

• Graduated from an accredited high school in Texas May 1, 2013, or later.
• Completed the Foundation, Recommended, or Distinguished Achievement program (or the equivalent) in high school.
• Enlisted in military service within 12 months of high school graduation and enrolled in an eligible institution of higher education within 12 months of receiving an honorable discharge.

An undergraduate student who:

• Transfers into a public university in Texas with at least 24 semester credit hours and a minimum 2.5 GPA.
• Received an initial year Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) in fall 2014 or later.

In order to receive the TEXAS Grant in subsequent years, the academic requirements are as follows:

• Be enrolled for at least nine semester credit hours (please contact your financial aid counselor if you are in your graduating semester and will be registered for less than nine semester credit hours).
• At the end of the first year in the program, you must meet UT Dallas' Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements.
• At the end of the second year in the program or later, you must have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and complete at least 24 semester credit hours per year.
• Demonstrate financial need.

Students entering the program from high school who continue in college and who meet program academic standards can receive awards for up to 150 semester credit hours, until they receive a bachelor's degree, or for five years if enrolled in a four-year degree plan, whichever comes first.

Students entering the program with an associate's degree who continue in college and who meet program academic standards can receive awards for up to 90 semester credit hours, until they receive a bachelor's degree, or for three years if enrolled in a four-year degree plan, whichever comes first. Complete information regarding this program can be found at www.collegeforalltexans.com.

Texas Public Educational Grant

An act of the 64th Texas Legislature established a grant program to provide financial assistance to students. The program is funded through appropriation of a portion of the tuition charges for resident and non-resident students. Students completing a FAFSA or TASFA will automatically be considered for this grant. Awards are based on availability of funds and the student's financial need.

Educational Assistance Grant

This program was established to provide financial assistance to students by an act of the Texas Legislature. The program is funded through appropriation of a portion of the designated tuition charge for resident and non-resident students. Students completing a FAFSA will automatically be considered for this grant. Awards are based on availability of funds and the student's financial need.

Scholarship Programs

The University of Texas at Dallas offers a number of scholarships that are administered by a school, department, or program. Students are encouraged to review scholarship opportunities via the centralized listing managed by the Office of Financial Aid.

In accord with Chapter 54 of the Texas Education Code provided below, all applications for competitive academic scholarships for undergraduate study are reviewed by the Committee on Student Scholarships and/or the Undergraduate Scholarship Committee in the appropriate academic unit.

Texas Education Code Competitive Scholarship

Sec. 54.213. SCHOLARSHIP STUDENT

(a) An institution of higher education may charge a nonresident student who holds a competitive scholarship of at least $1,000 for the academic year or summer term for which the student is enrolled resident tuition and fees without regard to the length of time the student has resided in Texas. The student must compete with other students, including Texas residents, for the scholarship and the scholarship must be awarded by a scholarship committee officially recognized by the administration and be approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board under criteria developed by the coordinating board.

(b) The total number of students at an institution paying resident tuition under this section for a particular semester may not exceed five percent of the total number of students registered at the institution for the same semester of the preceding academic year.

(c) The difference between tuition charged to the student under this section and the tuition the student would be charged if this section did not apply to the student shall not be accounted for in such a way as to reduce the general revenue appropriation to an institution of higher education that charges a nonresident student resident tuition and fees under this section.

Transferred and redesignated from Texas Education Code, Section 54.064 by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 359, Sec. 1, eff. January 1, 2012.

Scholarships are awarded in accordance with the published eligibility criteria and award factors set forth by each respective program. Factors that may influence scholarship awarding include donor or program specifications, financial need for need-based scholarships, and availability of funding. Committees responsible for awarding a competitive scholarship may consider and give positive weight to such factors as the following:

• SAT or ACT scores
• Class rank, academic record
• Success in advanced courses
• National recognition
• Achievements in work experiences
• Community service
• Extracurricular activities and other leadership activities
• Surmounting obstacles to the further pursuit of higher education
• Socioeconomic background
• Educational level
• Status as a first-generation college student

The criteria cited above is not an exhaustive list and some factors are only applicable to incoming freshman applicants.

Scholarships typically are awarded in the spring semester for disbursement during the following academic year. Please visit UT Dallas Scholarships for more information.

The State of Texas limits how many competitive scholarship waivers may be offered, and the awarding of such waivers is at the sole discretion of the University. The Office of Financial Aid processes Competitive Scholarship Waivers.

Federal Work-Study Program

Federal Work-Study employment is available to students on the basis of demonstrated financial need and is counted as a form of need-based financial aid. Student employees are paid as a result of working part-time in a position either on- or off-campus. The wages of students participating in this program are subsidized with federal funds, making it easier to find a part-time job. Students completing a FAFSA will automatically be considered for this program. Awards are based on availability of funds and the student's financial need.

The hourly pay rate depends on the type of job, qualifications, and classification. The number of hours and work schedule will vary depending on the position. For information on job availability, students who have been awarded Federal Work-Study as part of their financial aid package should contact the Career Center at 972-883-2943 or go to their website at career.utdallas.edu to access the Handshake system.

Other On-Campus Employment

Various programs and schools of the University employ students in positions that are not Federal Work-Study positions and are not based on need. Normally, students are employed for a maximum of 19 1/2 hours per week. Students interested in these positions should contact the Career Center at 972-883-2943 or go to their website at career.utdallas.edu to access the Handshake system.

Federal Direct Stafford Loan

Also called a Direct Loan, funds from this program are made available to students from the U.S. Department of Education. The loan can be either subsidized or unsubsidized, or a combination of both. The maximum amount a student can borrow from this program in an academic year depends on the student's year in school (i.e. freshman, sophomore, etc.); whether the student is considered to be dependent or independent for the purposes of financial aid; the student's total cost of education as determined by the school; and what other forms of financial aid the student is receiving. To qualify for a subsidized Stafford Loan the student must demonstrate financial need. The federal government pays the interest on a subsidized Stafford Loan as long as the student remains enrolled in school at least half-time. The unsubsidized Stafford Loan is available for students who do not demonstrate financial need and for students who need more funding than is available with the subsidized Stafford Loan. Students who borrow an unsubsidized Stafford Loan are charged interest while they are enrolled in school. Students completing a FAFSA are automatically considered for this program.

Detailed information regarding this program, including the promissory note, Entrance Counseling, and the Informed Borrower Confirmation, is available at studentaid.gov.

Hazlewood Veteran Tuition Exemption

The Hazlewood Act is a State of Texas benefit that provides qualified Veterans, spouses, and dependent children with an education benefit of up to 150 hours of tuition exemption, including most fee charges, at public institutions of higher education in Texas. This does not include living expenses, books, or supply fees. Information on the Hazlewood Act and eligibility requirements are available at the Texas Veterans Commission website. Additional information can be found in the Office of Financial Aid Hazlewood Exemption website.

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Assistance

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board administers various tuition assistance programs including programs for teachers and vocational nursing students. Additional information about these programs may be obtained by contacting the Office of Financial Aid.

TEACH Grant Program

The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 created the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant Program that provides up to $4,000 per year ($16,000 total for four-year programs) in grants to students who intend to teach full-time in high-need subject areas for at least four years at schools that serve students from low-income families. The maximum award is subject to reduction by Congress.

Eligible students must be enrolled in coursework that is necessary to begin a career in teaching or plan to complete such coursework. Coursework that will prepare a student to teach in a high-need subject area (e.g., math courses for a student who intends to be a math teacher) is acceptable.

Eligible students must meet the following academic achievement requirements of either scoring above the 75th percentile on either the SAT or the ACT, or graduate from high school with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.250 on a 4.000 scale, or maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.250 throughout the academic program for which they receive a TEACH Grant.

Eligible students must complete TEACH Grant counseling and sign a "TEACH Grant Agreement to Serve." The TEACH Grant service agreement specifies the conditions under which the grant will be awarded, the teaching service requirements, and includes an acknowledgement by the student that if the required teaching service obligation is not met, TEACH Grant funds will be converted to a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan that must be repaid, the interest charged from the date of each TEACH Grant disbursement.

To apply for the TEACH Grant you must submit the FAFSA. Additional information regarding the program can be found at studentaid.gov.

Teaching Obligation

To avoid repaying the TEACH Grant as a loan with interest, a student must be a highly-qualified, full-time teacher in a high-need subject area at a school serving low-income students for at least four years within eight years of completing or withdrawing from the academic program for which the grant was received.