TAMIU Encouraging Early Fall Financial Aid Application

Students planning to attend Texas A&M International University in the Fall should apply for financial aid before August to take advantage of the maximum range of financial assistance available, a University administrator said.

Laura Elizondo, director of financial aid, said TAMIU awarded more than $27 million in financial aid last year. She said students should apply before August so their financial aid package includes a combination of grants, which are free government money, as well as loans, which students must pay back after graduation.

"The biggest misconception students have is that Federal Stafford Loans are not part of the financial aid package and they can apply separately on their own," Elizondo said, "We'd like to emphasize that in order to get a loan, you must first apply for financial aid at TAMIU. We will then prepare a package based on the student's information which will include any grants and or loans the student is eligible for."

She said 79 percent of students who enrolled at TAMIU in 2006 received some form of financial aid.
The majority of financial aid consists of loans and grants. Other opportunities come from scholarships and work-study employment, Elizondo said.

Residents of Mexico may also apply for the Mexican Tuition Waiver, which allows eligible students to pay in-state tuition as opposed to out-of-state.

Students can start the admissions process and the financial aid application at the same time, Elizondo said.

"Students don't have to be admitted to the University first to start their financial aid application," she said.

Federal student loan awards are not based on credit worthiness, and students should schedule a visit to the Financial Aid Office to learn options for financing their University education, Elizondo said.
"A lot of students think they won't qualify because they assume their parents make too much money or that they must be over the age of 25 and that's not the case," Elizondo said.

"We encourage students and families to visit our office to speak with a financial aid counselor and plan early," Elizondo said, "We are here to help students get what they want out of life at TAMIU."
TAMIU Fall classes start Aug. 27. Summer Session II classes start Monday, July 9. Tuition and fees are due Friday, July 6.

For more information on financial aid, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at 326-2225, e-mail financialaid@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 157.
Summer University hours are 8 a.m . - 5 p.m. Monday through Thursdays and 8 a.m. - noon Fridays.

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