Federal Grants

To be considered for the Pell grant, you must satifsy the following:

1. Complete a FAFSA

2. Meet all US Department of Education's eligibility requirements including but not limited to:

   • Having a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) Certificate

   • Being a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen

   • Having a valid social security number

   • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student working toward a degree or certificate in an eligible program

3. Meet the standards of the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP)

The On-campus Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG) assists eligible students with educational expenses while attending Laredo College (LC).

Eligibility and Awarding Guidelines:

1. Residency & Program Enrollment

• Students must be classified as Texas residents and enrolled in an associate degree or certificate program at LC, a public two-year institution.

2. Minimum Enrollment

• Students must be enrolled at least half-time (6 Semester Credit Hours) during the Fall, Spring or Summer semesters.

3. Demonstrated Financial Need

• Awards are based on financial need, determined using federal methodology through submission of a FAFSA or TASFA application.

4. Priority Consideration

• Priority will be given to students with a calculated Student Aid Index (SAI) of 1600 or higher, or as otherwise deemed appropriate by the institution.

5. Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

• Students must meet the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress standards as defined by LC policy.

6. Selective Service Registration

• Male students over the age of 18 must be registered with the Selective Service, if applicable.

7. Criminal History Restrictions

• Students must not have been convicted of a felony or a crime involving controlled substance under the Texas Health and Safety Code, Title 6, Chapter 481.

Exceptions Include:

• Completion of sentence and waiting period of at least two years since discharge or probation.
•  Individuals who have received a pardon or whose conviction records have been expunged.

The Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG) Program is a state financial aid program supported by state funds and established under Texas Education Code, Chapter 56, Subchapter P. The program is administered in accordance with Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Chapter 22.

TEOG is designed to help eligible students pay for college expenses while attending public two-year institutions of higher education in Texas.

First year Student Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for a TEOG Initial award at Laredo College, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be classified as a Texas resident
• Show financial need
• Be enrolled at least half-time in an eligible associate degree or certificate program
• Have attempted no more than 45 semester credit hours, not including dual credit hours earned while in high school
• Not have already earned an associate or bachelor’s degree
• Submit a financial aid application through FAFSA or TASFA
• Male student must be registered for selective service or be exempt
• Students must not have been convicted of a felony or a criminal offense involving a controlled substance
• Not receiving a TEXAS Grant at the same time

 Students who receive TEOG funds may be eligible for renewal awards if they meet the following requirements:

• Previously received a TEOG award
• Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA), as applicable. 
• Continue to be classified as a Texas resident
• Remain enrolled in an eligible program of study
• Continue to demonstrate financial need
• Meet Laredo College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards
• After the second academic year, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and successfully complete at least 75% of attempted credit hours
• Must Have not earned an associate or bachelor’s degree
• Students must not have been convicted of a felony or a criminal offense involving a controlled substance
• Male student must be registered for selective service or be exempt
  

Policy Overview
Laredo College may consider a student for continued TEOG eligibility under a hardship provision when documented circumstances prevented the student from meeting program requirements. This policy is administered in accordance with the Texas Education Code, Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Chapter 22, and THECB guidance.

Hardship Circumstances
Hardship consideration may apply when a student does not meet TEOG requirements due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, such as serious illness, injury, death of an immediate family member, medical or mental health issues, family hardship, natural disaster, or other documented extenuating circumstances.

Documentation
All hardship decisions are documented and maintained in the student’s financial aid record. Records are available for review by THECB or other authorized oversight entities upon request.

Eligibility
A hardship review may be considered for issues such as GPA, completion rate, enrollment below six credit hours, attempted hour limits, or program time limits. However, TEOG-paid hours may not exceed 75 semester credit hours.

Request Process
Students must submit a written request to the Office of Financial Aid explaining the hardship. Supporting documentation may be required.

Review and Decision
The Office of Financial Aid reviews hardship requests on a case-by-case basis and determines whether the documentation supports an exception to TEOG eligibility requirements.