College for All Texans | My Texas Future

Quick Facts

Purpose: Support low- and middle-income Texans pursuing a first bachelor’s degree at public universities.
Funding mechanism: State appropriation with priority given to recent high school graduates who meet “priority model” criteria.
Award amount: Covers tuition and mandatory fees up to the average cost at Texas public universities. Some institutions provide supplemental funds for books or housing.
Duration: Up to five years (150 credit hours) for a bachelor’s degree or until you receive a degree, whichever comes first.
Coordinating agencies: Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) and campus financial aid offices.
Alternative pathway: Returning or transfer students who previously received TEXAS Grant can regain funding if they meet renewal criteria.

Program Overview

The TEXAS Grant is the flagship state aid program for four-year degrees. It emerged in 1999 as lawmakers recognized that rising tuition was closing the door on college for many Texans, particularly first-generation students. The grant operates on a combination of entitlement and prioritization: students who meet the priority model criteria (Recommended/Distinguished high school curriculum, top 10% class rank, or certain test score thresholds) receive first consideration. However, colleges can award remaining funds to other eligible students once priority demand is met. In 2025, the Legislature approved a funding bump that allows more universities to move beyond priority pools, expanding access for transfer students and adult learners.

The grant is central to Texas’s 60x30TX strategic plan, which aims for 60% of Texans aged 25–34 to hold a degree or credential. By covering tuition and mandatory fees, the TEXAS Grant frees students to focus on credit accumulation, internships, and undergraduate research. Universities often pair the grant with completion coaching, ensuring recipients maintain the GPA and credit pace required for renewal.

2025 Enhancements You Should Know

Several updates make the TEXAS Grant especially attractive in 2025:

Auto-renewal analytics: THECB introduced a centralized data dashboard that flags students at risk of losing eligibility, triggering campus outreach.
Expanded eligibility for foster youth: Students who aged out of Texas foster care now receive automatic priority status, even if they earned a GED instead of the recommended curriculum.
Career readiness stipends: Select institutions offer $500 completion bonuses when TEXAS Grant recipients secure paid internships or cooperative education placements.
Dual-credit alignment: Students graduating with an associate degree through early college high schools receive accelerated grant disbursement schedules aligned with junior standing.

Eligibility Pathways

Residency: Must be a Texas resident, U.S. citizen, or eligible noncitizen (including certain visa holders under Senate Bill 1528). DACA recipients complete the TASFA instead of the FAFSA.
High school graduation requirements: Graduate from an accredited Texas high school after completing the Foundation + Endorsement plan, or the former Recommended/Distinguished plan. Students with GEDs qualify if they meet priority criteria such as high test scores or college readiness benchmarks.
Enrollment timing: Begin college at a Texas public university within 16 months of high school graduation and have accumulated no more than 30 college credit hours (excluding dual credit).
Financial need: THECB sets annual Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and income thresholds. For 2025, dependent students must have an EFC ≤ $6,656 and family income under roughly $125,000 (varies with household size). Independent students face lower income caps.
Credit requirements: Maintain at least three-quarter time enrollment (9 credits) in the first year and full-time (12 credits) thereafter to stay on track for renewal. Summer coursework can make up deficits.

Renewal Criteria

To keep the TEXAS Grant, students must:

Complete 24 credit hours per academic year.
Maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Not exceed 150 attempted credit hours or eight long semesters.
Demonstrate ongoing financial need by refiling FAFSA/TASFA annually.
Avoid default on federal or state student loans and stay current on repayment obligations.

If you fall short, the program allows a one-time hardship appeal for documented illness, family emergencies, or active-duty military service. Universities often require a written plan showing how you will regain good standing.

Application Roadmap

October–January: File the FAFSA or TASFA by January 15 to meet the state priority deadline. Submitting in October unlocks institutional scholarships that complement TEXAS Grant funding.
November–February: Complete any university-specific aid forms, including the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (for non-federal aid seekers) and verification checklists.
March–April: Monitor your student portal for missing items. Texas universities must send preliminary aid offers by May 1 for admitted students who meet the priority deadline.
May–August: Submit final transcripts showing required high school curriculum. Attend orientation where advisors build schedules to hit 15 credits per semester.
September: Verify that the TEXAS Grant appears on your bill. If you transfer between institutions, submit a Transfer Eligibility Form to THECB to continue receiving funds.

Documentation Checklist

FAFSA confirmation or TASFA receipt
Texas residency proofs (driver’s license, voter registration, lease)
High school transcript indicating graduation plan and endorsements
Test score reports if qualifying via SAT/ACT/TSI benchmarks
Verification documents (tax transcripts, W-2s, non-tax filer statements)
Degree audit or academic plan showing 24 credits per year
Hardship appeal forms (if applicable)

Timeline Benchmarks

January 15: State priority deadline for FAFSA/TASFA.
February–April: Universities request verification; respond within two weeks to avoid delays.
August: Enrollment verification. Aid is disbursed after the 12th class day when census data is finalized.
December/May: SAP reviews. Students receive warnings if GPA or credit pace lags.
July: Deadline for submitting renewal appeals for the upcoming year.

Strategies to Maximize Success

Schedule 15-to-Finish: Enroll in 15 credits per semester to build a buffer above the 24-credit minimum. Use mini-mesters or online electives if you work part-time.
Leverage success centers: TEXAS Grant students often have access to supplemental instruction and coaching. Document attendance to support future appeals if needed.
Stack with other aid: Apply for Texas Public Education Grants (TPEG) and institutional scholarships. These can cover housing or books while TEXAS Grant handles tuition.
Monitor EFC changes: Large income jumps can jeopardize eligibility. If your family experiences a one-time windfall (e.g., retirement withdrawal), consult financial aid before filing taxes to explore strategies like income smoothing.
Use co-op opportunities: Career readiness stipends from universities like UT Arlington or Texas State can fund professional attire, exam fees, or relocation for internships.
Plan transfer pathways: Community college graduates who participated in TEXAS Grant via the TEOG program can transition seamlessly by completing the Transfer Continuation Form.

Common Pitfalls and Remedies

Late FAFSA: Missing the January deadline often means no TEXAS Grant because funds are allocated early. Set calendar alerts and attend FAFSA nights hosted by ISDs.
Dropping courses: Withdrawing below 12 credits can trigger probation. Instead, explore Pass/Fail grading where available or ask about tutoring, supplemental instruction, and emergency micro-grants.
Exceeding credit hour limit: Double majors should consult advisors to sequence courses efficiently. Advanced Placement or dual credit hours do not count against the 150-hour limit, so bring in as many as possible from high school.
Income fluctuations: If your family income rises temporarily but drops again, file a Special Circumstances Appeal with documentation to maintain eligibility.
Poor academic fit: Students struggling in large lecture courses can switch to cohort-based learning communities. The earlier you pivot, the easier it is to preserve GPA.

Coordinating with Other Programs

Texas Education Opportunity Grant (TEOG): Community college students can start with TEOG and then elevate to TEXAS Grant when transferring to a university.
Federal Pell Grant: TEXAS Grant fills gaps after Pell but does not reduce Pell amounts. Combined, they can cover tuition and part of housing.
Work-Study: Paid campus jobs provide income for living expenses. Keep weekly hours below 20 to protect academic performance.
Tuition rebates: Graduating within four years with few excess credits can earn a $1,000 rebate, effectively boosting your TEXAS Grant value.
Regional Promise programs: Some metros (Dallas County Promise, AlamoPROMISE) guarantee tuition at community college and then coordinate with TEXAS Grant for university transfer.

Real-World Stories

STEM researcher: Alejandra at UT Dallas leverages TEXAS Grant and the Green Fellows research program. She maintains a 3.6 GPA while working 10 hours weekly in a robotics lab, ensuring renewal.
First-gen transfer: Marco completed an associate degree through Alamo Colleges and used TEOG. After transferring to Texas A&M-San Antonio, he filed the continuation form, regained TEXAS Grant, and secured an internship stipend to offset commuting costs.
Teacher pipeline: Jada attends Texas A&M Corpus Christi in an educator preparation program. TEXAS Grant covers tuition while the Charles Butt Scholarship funds living expenses. She uses the university’s Early Childhood lab for field hours, staying above the GPA threshold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does TEXAS Grant cover summer classes? Yes, if you have remaining annual eligibility and enroll at least half-time. Summer coursework can help you accumulate 30 credits per year.

What if I move out of state temporarily? You must remain enrolled in a Texas public university to keep the grant. Study abroad through your home institution is allowed because tuition is still billed by the Texas school.

Can graduate students receive TEXAS Grant? No. The program is limited to first bachelor’s degrees.

How do I appeal a denial? Submit the Hardship Provisions Form to your financial aid office with supporting documentation (medical records, death certificates, deployment orders). Appeals are reviewed case by case.

Is TEXAS Grant taxable? Funds used for tuition and required fees are tax-free. If the grant exceeds qualified expenses, the surplus could be taxable, but this is rare.

Resource Toolkit

College For All Texans website: Step-by-step eligibility guides and FAQs.
University financial aid portals: Track disbursement dates and verification tasks.
Texas OnCourse: Offers college readiness modules and budgeting tools.
Regional college access networks: Dallas County Promise, San Antonio’s cafécollege, and Houston GPS provide FAFSA support and success coaching.
Professional associations: The Texas Association of Financial Aid Administrators (TASFAA) publishes annual updates on grant policies.

Glossary

Priority Model: Criteria that determine first access to limited TEXAS Grant funds (curriculum, test scores, income thresholds).
EFC (Expected Family Contribution): Federal metric used to determine financial need, soon transitioning to Student Aid Index (SAI).
SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress): Required GPA and completion rate to maintain aid.
Hardship Appeal: Formal request to retain aid despite failing to meet renewal criteria due to extenuating circumstances.
Continuation Form: Document used when transferring or re-entering to reinstate TEXAS Grant funding.

With disciplined academic planning, proactive communication, and timely paperwork, Texans can harness the TEXAS Grant to graduate with minimal debt while participating fully in internships, research, and community leadership. The program is designed to support persistence; your job is to stay ahead of deadlines and leverage the wraparound services that come with this powerful state investment.