Office of Financial Aid

The Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB 0887) which requires institutions of higher education in Texas that participate in a state financial aid program administered by the Texas Higher Coordinating Board (THECB) to provide enrolled students with a letter notifying them of the amount of education loans borrowed to date and estimates of future payments. This letter will be sent out every academic year.

What is CAL?
The College Access Loan Program provides alternative loans to Texas students who are unable to meet the cost of attendance. The amount of federal aid that a student is eligible for (regardless of whether actual accepted) must be deducted from the cost of attendance in determining the CAL loan amount.

Who Can Apply?
Texas residents that have completed a TASFA or FAFSA application can apply. Must be enrolled at least half time in a degree-seeking program or an approved alternative educator certification program. Must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy. Approval is based on a favorable credit evaluation or a cosigner who has good credit standing and meets other requirements. TASFA applicants need a U.S. citizen cosigner.

More Eligibility Information:
http://www.hhloans.com/index.cfm?objectid=21A41908-C7D3-A868-66FB91774CF078CB

How Much Can Be Awarded?
Students may borrow no less than $100 and up to the cost of attendance minus any other financial aid.

What Repayment Terms Does This Loan Have?
Loans have a six-month grace period from the date a borrower ceases to be enrolled at least half-time at an eligible institution. Principal balances under $30,000 have up to a ten-year repayment period with minimum monthly payments of $50.

Types of Financial Aid - Loan Repayment Programs:
http://www.hhloans.com/apps/financialaid/tofa.cfm?Kind=LRP

How Can I Apply?
Visit www.hhloans.com and apply for the College Access Loan program.

Instructions:
http://www.hhloans.com/index.cfm?objectid=426248B4-D72B-EA91-F13E0ED29FB2097C

The Bursar's Office provides information about important dates, office hours, location, payment options, and tuition and fees. For more information regarding Installment Payment Plans, Emergency Tuition Loans and Emergency Books loans please visit the Bursar's website.

Graduate students enrolled in a degree-seeking program and attending school at least half-time are eligible to apply for a Graduate PLUS loan. Unlike the Direct Unsubsidized loan, Graduate PLUS loan approval is based on your credit. TAMIU highly recommends you apply for the maximum annual amount available under the Direct Loan program before applying for the Graduate PLUS Loan. Graduate PLUS Loans disbursed on or after 7/1/23 and before 7/1/24 have a fixed interest rate of 8.05% and the current origination fee is 4.228%. You can visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information.

Parents of dependent undergraduate students can apply for a Parent PLUS loan to help pay education expenses. Parents can apply by signing into the studentaid.gov website. You will need your federal student aid (FSA) ID. A credit check will be performed during the application process and the parent borrower must also sign a Master Promissory Note. Parent PLUS Loans disbursed on or after 7/1/23 and before 7/1/24 have a fixed interest rate of 8.05% and the current origination fee is 4.228%.

Student Loans, unlike grants, scholarships and work-study, are borrowed funds that must be paid back, with interest. Loans are legal obligations, so before borrowing each year, consider the amount you will have to repay.

What you need to know about your federal student loan benefits if your a member of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Federal Direct Loans

The William D. Ford Direct Loan program, known as Direct Loans, was authorized and created by the Higher Education Act of 1965. The program provides subsidized, unsubsidized, PLUS, GradPLUS and consolidation loans to borrowers for educational purposes. The lender for all of these loans is the U.S. Department of Education.

Students must meet the following requirements in order to receive a student loan:

• Students must complete a FAFSA and all other financial aid requirements every academic year
• Be enrolled a minimum of six credit hours each semester for UG and a minimum of three credit hours each semester for GR
• Meet TAMIU's Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Policy. To view current SAP Policy.
• Complete Online Entrance Counseling
• Attend Entrance Counseling - In-person counseling is not required.
• Complete a Master Promissory Note

For more information regarding the Federal Student Aid Loan.

Origination Fee On or after October 1, 2020 and before October 1, 2024 = 1.057%

It is with great pleasure that we announce Texas A&M International (TAMIU) has partnered with Trellis Company to provide you with access to the award winning iGrad Financial Literacy Platform. As you may be aware, the lack of education on personal money management in our country has resulted in a wide variety of economic and social concerns. The impact is felt by Americans of every background, regardless of level of education or income. TAMIU is proud to be providing you with the tools and support that you need to empower yourself with the knowledge to build a strong foundation for your financial future! On the iGrad platform you can explore articles, videos, calculators, games, modules, and more! Just a few of the topics covered are:

• Budgeting
• Saving and Investing
• Scholarships and Financial Aid
• Career Development
• Much, much, more

You will be able to access the site directly at www.igrad.com/schools/TAMIU.

The St. David's Foundation Central Texas Loan Repayment Program was funded through a grant to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for the purpose of recruiting and retaining qualified primary care and behavioral health providers at eligible sites located in the five-county area served by the Foundation. Primary care and behavioral nurse practitioners may qualify for student loan repayment awards for up to $15,000 per year for four years of service at eligible sites. Applications and detailed eligibility requirements can be found on the program web page at http://www.hhloans.com/index.cfm?ObjectID=E114B4A9-EC91-DA04-D17E0CF7A0F3970D.

The Office of Student Financial aid recommends that students utilize federal student loans before considering private educational loans. Federal loans have lower fixed interest rates as well as deferment and consolidation options. Private loans should be used for circumstances where you have exhausted all other options, including federal aid and scholarships, in regards to financing your education.

Students who need further financing should select the loan that best meets funding needs and offers the best interest rate and borrower benefits. Points to consider when choosing a lender:

• Interest Rate - it may be capitalized, therefore, increasing the amount of money you ultimately owe. Consider using a cosigner, you may qualify for slightly lower rates.
• Fees - the interest rates and fees that you pay are based on your credit score and the credit score of your cosigner, if you choose to use one.
• Borrower Benefits - these vary by lender.
• Repayment Terms - some lenders require you to pay while you are in school. Others will defer payments until after graduation.
• Eligibility Requirements - check the requirements for the loan.

Borrowers who have questions regarding federal or private student loans are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at 956.326.2225 for more information or individual assistance.

After a student has researched and selected the alternative loan of their choice, and once the lender approves the loan application, TAMIU provides loan certification information to the lender so that funds are available at the same time as regular financial aid. For private alternative loans, please visit www.ELMSelect.com for loan options. TAMIU has no written or implied preferred lender arrangement with any lender (Policy on Preferred Lender Lists). Students can choose any lender, including a lender not listed. TAMIU uses ELMSelect as an online, lender-neutral platform to display a historical list of lenders and education loan products that our students have used over the past five years.

As a result of the Truth in Lending Act (TILA) of 2009, borrowers will be required to submit a Private Education Loan Applicant Self-Certification to their lender before funds can be disbursed. Your lender will provide you with this form when you apply for the private loan. You may also obtain a copy of this form here: Private Education Loan Self Certification. Private loan disbursements cannot be made until you have submitted this form to your lender.

Below is an example of what to expect if you apply for a private loan:

• Apply online (you will receive the Application Disclosure Statement).
• Obtain the self-certification form and return to your lender.
• If approved for the loan, you will be provided an Approval Disclosure Statement.
• Finally, you will receive a Final Disclosure Statement (allowing you up to 3 days to cancel the loan before it disburses).

Please use these loan term dates when filling out an application:

TRELLIS as a nonprofit corporation offers resources to help students and parents understand student loans. Click on the links below to learn more:

Student Loans

Student Loan Repayment Options

Calculator for Student Borrowers

Handling Default

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program is intended to encourage individuals to enter and continue to work full-time in public service jobs. Under this program, you may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance due on your William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loan Program) loans after you have made 120 qualifying payments on those loans while employed full-time by certain public service employers. Since you must make 120 qualifying payments on your eligible federal student loans after October 1, 2007 before you qualify for the loan forgiveness, the first forgiveness of loan balances will not be granted until October 2017.

For more information in regards to the PSLF Program.