New TEXAS Scholarship Opens More Doors for A&M International Students

Students planning to enroll as freshmen at Texas A&M International University this fall semester will have the chance to apply for a new scholarship aimed at helping them gain greater access to higher education.

Araceli Rangel, Financial Aid Office director, said a limited number of students will be accepted to receive this need-based scholarship during the 1999-2000 academic year.

Named the "Toward Excellence Access and Success" (TEXAS) Grant Program, this state scholarship is awarded to students who show high outstanding need after deducting all free financial aid they have received, including scholarships and grants. A student who did not receive free financial aid may still apply for the scholarship, Rangel said.

All interested students may start applying immediately for scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $1,740, she said. Applications may be completed by visiting the University's Financial Aid Office at Canseco Hall 302.

In order to apply, students must have graduated from a Texas high school, either public or private, on or after Dec. 1998 and their legal guardians must be Texas residents. They must also plan to enroll for at least 9 hours in an undergraduate program at A&M International. In addition, students may not hold a bachelor's degree at time of scholarship application.

"Once students receive this scholarship, they will continue to receive it throughout their undergraduate years as long as they meet the necessary criteria," Rangel said, "However, they will not be able to receive it after six years."

Students who qualify must maintain a 2.0 grade point average during their freshman year and a 2.5 every semester thereafter, Rangel said.

"This scholarship will provide our students yet another choice of financial aid to help them realize their dreams of obtaining a University degree. We hope students will take advantage of this opportunity and embark on their academic careers at A&M International," Rangel said.

For further information, please contact Rangel at 326-2225. Financial Aid Office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday and 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu