State and Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
This program is specifically designed for undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need as determined by the student’s Student Aid Index (SAI). Maximum and minimum award amounts are determined and published annually by the U.S. Department of Education. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in courses that count towards their program of study, be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and have not earned a bachelor’s degree.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
This program provides grants from $100 to $1,000 to undergraduate students who have maximum financial need as determined by their FAFSA. Students must also be Pell Grant eligible, be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), be enrolled at least half-time (6 semester credit hours), and be working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program. FSEOG funds are limited and therefore are awarded on a first come first served basis
Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG)
This program provides grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need through their FAFSA or as determined by Student Financial Aid. The amount of the award is based on financial need, availability of funds, and residency status. Funds awarded are designed to assist Texas resident students, non-Texas resident students, students enrolled in a continuing education program, and foreign students. Students must also be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and be enrolled at least half-time (6 semester credit hours). Funds are awarded on a first come first served basis.
Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG)
The TEOG Program pays grant funds for students who meet the following program criteria:
- Maintain current Texas residency status;
- Apply for financial aid and have need;
- Enroll in at least six (6) credit hours (half-time);
- Be in the first forty-five (45) attempted hours of a first degree plan or certificate (excludes dual credit and examination credits);
- Not have been convicted of any felony, or any offense involving a controlled substance;
- Not have earned an Associate or Baccalaureate Degree;
- Be registered with the Selective Service System as required by federal law or be exempt
- Must not be more than 30 days late in making a child support payment
Awards may be renewed based on criteria set by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. In addition to the above requirements, students must meet the following renewal criteria:
- Not have earned an Associate or Baccalaureate Degree;
- Meet the college’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy (See the policy in this catalog);
- Have a minimum 2.5 GPA overall and minimum of 75% course completion rate in the most recent academic year; and
- Received a TEOG for no more than seventy-five (75) attempted semester credit hours.
Alamo Colleges District Scholarships
The Alamo Colleges District awards many scholarships, based on the availability of institutional and private funds, to academically meritorious or needy students. Scholarships range from $300 to over $2,000 per academic year (September-May). All scholarships and other financial aid already awarded are taken into consideration when determining eligibility. Scholarship lists and applications are available online.
The Alamo Colleges District Foundation Scholarship Office and each of the college scholarship offices are responsible for application procedures, selection of recipients, notice of scholarship award, and renewal and revocation processes for each respective scholarship program.
Student Loan Programs
Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
The Alamo Colleges District provides student loan funds directly from the Federal Government under the Federal Direct Loan Programs.
Direct Student Loans are low-interest student loans certified by the Alamo Colleges District and guaranteed by the federal government. The interest rate for subsidized and unsubsidized loans are fixed and will not change for the life of the loan.
Students applying for loans are required to submit a Federal Direct Loan request through ACES and complete several online counseling and agreement modules on studentaid.gov. These requirements include Loan Entrance Counseling if they are a first-time borrower, and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) to agree to the terms of their loan. For information on loan applications and deadlines, visit the Alamo Colleges District Financial Aid Direct Loans (link: studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans) web page.
The loans available to students are called Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. For Subsidized loans, the federal government pays the interest while the student is enrolled at least half-time. Interest on Unsubsidized loans, however, must be paid by the student. Dependent students may borrow up to $3,500 in subsidized loans during their grade level one (1) year, up to $4,500 in subsidized loans in grade level two (2), and up to $5,500 in subsidized loans in grade level three (3) and above. For each grade level, up to $2,000 in unsubsidized loans are also available to request each year. Independent students can borrow the same level of subsidized amounts per grade level as dependents, with an additional $6,000 in unsubsidized loans per year. Because subsidized loans are based on financial need, the Student Financial Aid office determines the amount student’s eligibility to borrow it. Student loan repayment begins six (6) months after the student leaves school or drops below 6 hours (half-time) status.
Direct Parent PLUS Loan
A Parent PLUS Loan provides the parent of a dependent undergraduate student with a fixed-interest loan that can help pay for educational expenses not covered by other student financial aid. For a parent to be eligible, they must complete a credit check and not have adverse credit history.
Once a parent submits a PLUS loan application, the Student Financial Aid office determines the final amount the parent is eligible to borrow as it cannot exceed the student’s Cost of Attendance, in combination with all other financial aid awarded.
Specific information about the Direct Parent PLUS loan and current interest rates are available at studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/plus/parent. Visit the Alamo Colleges District Financial Aid Direct Loans web site for information about our Parent PLUS loan application process.
Work Opportunities
Federal Work-Study Program
The Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program provides work opportunities for undergraduate students enrolled at least half-time who demonstrate financial need to help pay for their educational expenses. The hourly pay rate for FWS employees is currently $16.29 per hour. Starting September 1, 2025, the pay rate will increase to $16.78 per hour. The amount of FWS awarded depends on a student’s financial need, availability of funding, and the amount of other aid the student receives. The Alamo Colleges District FWS program budgets awards for students to work up to nineteen (19) hours per week. FWS students are paid twice (2 times) per month. State and Institutional Work-Study programs may also be available if the federal funding level is insufficient to meet the demand for student workers.
Community Base Off-Campus Work-Study Employment
Non-Profit off-campus employment is administered by many local community or city agencies that hire Alamo Colleges District’s students. These non-profit organizations who employ Alamo College District students adhere to the Alamo Colleges District Federal work study rules and regulations. In addition to earning money while attending college, students have an opportunity to participate in the local work force and gain valuable work experience.
For information on how to participate in the Work-study programs, visit the Alamo Colleges District Financial Aid Federal Work-Study webpage (underlined link: https://www.alamo.edu/admission—aid/paying-for-college/financial-aid/types-of-aid/work-study/).
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