Texas Grant Increase Brings Big Money to TAMIU Students

This Fall, there are hundreds of thousands of reasons for new students to enroll at TAMIU, thanks to the addition of over $850,000 in new TEXAS (Toward Excellence, Access and Success) Grant awards received by the University this week.

Dr. Ray Keck, TAMIU president, said the increase in new funding comes at a critical time for students planning their higher education for Fall.

"Summer is critical as students consider their University options.  The availability of these additional assistance funds will be good news to parents and students alike:  higher education is possible here at home thanks to the State of Texas."

Dr. Keck said kudos are due to the University's legislative team led by State Senator Judith Zaffirini.

"We truly appreciate her leadership on this.  Last year, we turned students away as funding support from TEXAS Grant was not available.  She and legislators Richard Raymond and Ryan Guillen have worked diligently to restore and expand funding to this program and we're all most grateful," he said.

Senator Zaffirini, a member of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and the Appropriations Conference Committee that appropriated the funds in the state budget, said she was proud to be able to ensure deserving students have access to higher education.

"I am delighted that we secured significantly higher funding for financial aid that will ensure that every deserving student has access to a higher education. By providing these funds, we will help TAMIU attract more qualified students and encourage them to pursue college degrees, irrespective of their financial situation," Sen. Zaffirini said.

The additional $852,000, coupled with $1.9 million in renewal funds for students already enrolled in the program and an additional $157,000 in new scholarship monies should prove attractive to students.

"These programs are very much open to our students and many of our students have benefited from them," said Minita Ramírez, associate vice president for student success."We now want to strongly encourage parents and potential students to take advantage of this opportunity and visit with us to secure TEXAS Grant monies. This should be of special interest to new students, current students and transfer students, such as students from Laredo Community College."

The purpose of the TEXAS Grant is to provide eligible students money for tuition and fees, which will enable them to attend an institution of higher education.

To be considered, students must have graduated from a public or accredited private Texas High School no earlier than academic year 1998-1999 or a student must have received an Associates Degree no earlier than Spring 2001, be a Texas resident, and followed the recommended or advanced high school curriculum. Students must file a FAFSA, complete a financial aid folder with the Office of Financial Aid, have an expected family contribution no greater than $4,000 and must be enrolled for at least 9 hours or more in an undergraduate program.

For additional information, contact the University's Financial Aid Office in Killam Library 158, call 956-326-2225 or click on tamiu.edu/affairs/financial.

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