Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I receive a Pell Grant award for enrollment in the Summer session, which includes Summer I & II?
A
Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid. Pell Grants
are awarded only to undergraduate students who have not earned a bachelor's
degree or a professional degree. (A professional degree would include a
degree in a field such as medicine, law, or dentistry.) For many students,
Pell Grants provide a foundation of financial aid to which other aid may be
added.
To determine if you're eligible financially, you must first complete the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The U.S. Department of
Education uses a standard formula, established by Congress, to evaluate the
information you report when you apply. The formula produces an Expected
Family Contribution (EFC) number, which is reported to you on your Student
Aid Report (SAR). The SAR contains this number and it will tell you if
you're eligible for a Pell award.
You can receive only one Pell Grant in an award year. How much you get will
depend not only on your EFC but also on your cost of attendance, whether
you're a full-time or part-time student, and whether you attend school for a
full academic year or less.
You may not receive Pell Grant funds from more than one school within the same semester.
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Can I receive a Pell Grant award for enrollment in the Summer session, which includes Summer I & II?
Students are able to receive a Pell Grant award for the equivalent of two
terms at full-time (12 or more credit hours) per academic year
(Fall/Spring/Summer).
If you received a full-time Pell Grant award for both Fall and Spring terms
at UTPA and/or another school, then you do not have any remaining Pell Grant
eligibility for Summer.
If you enrolled less than full-time in Fall and/or Spring term, then you may
qualify for at least a partial Pell Grant award for the Summer I term.
Summer II Pell grant funds are awarded based on eligibility and the total
number of hours enrolled for that term.
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How much is awarded for the LEAP grant?
Award amounts for the LEAP grant vary based on funding availability.
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How do I apply for the LEAP grant?
A separate application is not needed to apply for the LEAP grant, as long as you apply for a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students are identified based on the program’s criteria.
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Who may qualify for a LEAP grant?
To qualify for the
LEAP grant, you need to:
• Be a Texas resident
• Show financial need
• Register for Selective Service or are exempt from this requirement
• Enroll and remain enrolled for at least half-time basis
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What is the purpose of the LEAP grant?
The purpose of the LEAP grant is to provide grant assistance to financially needy students.
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